Slow internet speeds or intermittent connection drops are often the first warning signs that an uninvited guest has appeared on your home network. Owners of routers of this brand Xiaomi (including Redmi models) encounter this problem no less frequently than users of other manufacturers, especially given the popularity of these devices. A modern router is not just an access point, but a fully-fledged computer that stores logs of all incoming connections, even if devices are hidden or attempt to disguise themselves.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at how to identify all users of your traffic using a web interface or mobile app. You'll learn how to distinguish smart home system devices from unauthorized smartphones, understand how MAC address filtering works, and quickly restrict access to unwanted users. Security your local network directly depends on your awareness of the processes occurring within it.
Sometimes users aren't even aware that neighbors or passersby could be using their Wi-Fi network if the password was too simple or was shared with third parties. Managing the list of connected clients not only helps restore stable speeds but also protects personal files stored in a shared folder from potential data theft. Let's explore the tools the ecosystem offers for this. Xiaomi.
Direct verification via the admin web interface
The most reliable and detailed way to find out who's using your router is to access the control panel through a browser. This method is independent of the mobile app version and provides access to complete technical data, including IP addresses and DHCP lease time. To get started, open any browser on a device connected to the router's network and enter the standard address in the address bar. 192.168.31.1 or domain name miwifi.com.
After entering the administrator password (which is often located on a sticker on the bottom of the case if you haven't changed it), you'll be taken to the main status screen. In the interface Xiaomi There's usually a "Settings" or "Security Center" section that displays all active devices visually. If you see an unfamiliar device, check its name—it often lists its model, for example, iPhone-12 or Windows-PC, which will help identify the source.
However, you can't rely on names alone, as many devices have standard names by default, such as Android or Unknown DeviceIn this case, you'll need a MAC address mapping table, which is unique to every network adapter in the world. Below is an example of how the data is displayed in the client list:
| Parameter | Description of the meaning | Importance for verification |
|---|---|---|
| MAC address | Unique identifier of the network card (format XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX) | Critical for accurate identification |
| IP address | The internal address assigned by the router (e.g. 192.168.31.15) | Needed to configure port forwarding |
| Rental time | Remaining life of the current DHCP session | Helps to understand device activity |
| Connection type | Wireless (Wi-Fi) or Wired (LAN cable) | Allows you to cut off wired devices |
⚠️ Attention: Firmware interface Xiaomi May vary depending on the region (Chinese or Global version). In Chinese firmware, some options may have different names or be hidden in deep submenus that require language switching.
Mobile app connection analysis
For smartphone owners, network management is available through the official app. Mi Wi-Fi (or Xiaomi Home) is the most convenient option. The app automatically scans the network and displays a list of all detected devices in the form of clear icons. This allows you to quickly assess the situation: if you see 15 connected devices when you only have two phones, the problem is obvious. The app interface often highlights new or unknown devices.
Within the app, you can not only view the list but also instantly respond to threats. The "Block" or "Blacklist" function is available in one click. Simply click on a suspicious device and select access restrictions. The system will immediately disconnect from that device and prevent re-authorization, even if the Wi-Fi password is entered correctly.
However, the mobile method has its limitations. The app may not display some system services or devices that are in sleep mode and rarely transmit data. Furthermore, the app requires an active internet connection to function correctly, while the web interface works locally. Therefore, for a thorough diagnosis, it's best to combine both methods.
Identifying devices by MAC address
When you see an abstract name like android-df45a, the only way to determine whether it's your device or not is to check the MAC address. Each network interface has a unique identifier consisting of 12 hexadecimal digits. The first six digits (OUI) identify the hardware manufacturer, making this task much easier. For example, the combination 00:1A:2B may belong to the company Apple, A B8:27:EB — point to Raspberry Pi.
To check a device, you need to physically go to each gadget in your home and look up its MAC address in the Wi-Fi settings. On Android, this is usually located in the "Network" section. Settings → About phone → General information, and on iOS in Settings → General → AboutCompare the last 4-6 characters of the address with those displayed in the router admin panel. XiaomiIf there are no matches, it's an alien.
Modern operating systems, such as iOS 14+ and Android 10+, use a feature called "Private Wi-Fi Address" (Randomized MAC). This means the phone can generate a random MAC address for each new network to hide the real hardware. Such a device may appear as unknown in the router's list, even if it belongs to you. In this case, you need to temporarily disable randomization in your phone's settings for your home network to see the real address.
Where can I find the MAC address on different operating systems?
On Windows: Open the Command Prompt (cmd) and enter ipconfig /all. Find the "Physical Address" line. On macOS: Hold down Option and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu, or go to System Preferences → Network → Advanced → Hardware. On Linux: Use the ifconfig or ip link command in Terminal.
Methods for blocking uninvited guests
Once you've identified the intruder, you need to isolate them. The easiest way is with routers. Xiaomi — this is added to the "Blacklist." The device will be disconnected immediately, but the Wi-Fi password will remain the same. This is convenient if you want to temporarily restrict access for a child or guest without changing security settings for everyone else.
A more radical and effective method is to change your Wi-Fi network password. If you suspect the password has been compromised or brute-forced, changing the security key will force all devices to reconnect. Anyone without the new password will no longer be able to access your network. Afterward, remember to "forget the network" on all your devices and re-enter the new password.
The third level of protection is MAC address filtering (White List). You can configure your router to accept connections only from a strictly defined list of devices. Even if you know the password, any new device won't be able to connect until you manually add its MAC address to the white list in the admin panel. This is the highest level of protection, but it requires manual configuration of each new device (camera, smart bulb, etc.).
☑️ What to do when detecting an intruder
Setting up security and hiding the network
To avoid the "who's connected to my Xiaomi WiFi router" problem, you need to configure security correctly. First, make sure you're using an encryption protocol. WPA2-PSK or, even better, WPA3, if your devices support this standard. The outdated WEP protocol can be cracked in a few minutes, even by a novice using a smartphone.
An additional security measure is hiding the SSID (network name). This will prevent your network from appearing in your neighbors' shared list of available Wi-Fi hotspots. To connect, you'll need to manually enter the network name and password on each device. This doesn't provide 100% protection from hackers, but it effectively filters out casual internet users.
Also worth paying attention to is the function WPSIn routers XiaomiAs with many other wireless networks, this feature is often enabled by default for convenient connection of devices without entering a password. However, WPS is the most common way for attackers to gain access to a network. It's recommended to disable WPS in your wireless network settings if you don't use it regularly.
⚠️ Caution: Hiding the SSID (network name) may cause connection issues with some smart home devices that don't have the ability to search for hidden networks. Use this feature with caution if you have many IoT devices.
Why internet speed may drop
The presence of third-party devices isn't the only reason for low speed. Routers Xiaomi, especially budget models of the series 4A or 4C, can overheat under heavy load, leading to processor throttling and reduced Wi-Fi performance. Check the device's case temperature: if it's hot, ensure better ventilation.
Another factor is airborne noise. If you live in an apartment building, there could be dozens of other routers operating on the same frequency nearby. In the app Mi Wi-Fi There's an optimization feature that analyzes the airwaves and switches your router to a less congested channel. It's also a good idea to separate the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands by giving them different names and connect fast devices to the 5 GHz band.
Don't forget about background processes on your own devices. Updating games on your console, syncing photos to the cloud, or running torrents can all eat up your bandwidth. Before blaming your neighbors, check the bandwidth usage graph in your router's status bar—if the downloads occur when everyone else is asleep, someone is likely downloading files.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a neighbor find out my password if I haven't told it to anyone?
Yes, it's possible. If you have a weak password (for example, your date of birth or 12345678), it can be cracked in minutes using specialized software. Your password could also be "leaked" if you've ever connected guests and given them a QR code that was photographed, or if one of the connected devices has a virus that steals saved Wi-Fi passwords.
Will my Xiaomi router reset if I change my password frequently?
No, changing your Wi-Fi password or security settings is a standard operation and does not reset your firmware or lose your provider settings. However, all connected devices will lose their connection to the network, and you will have to re-enter the new password on each one (phones, TVs, smart plugs).
How can I find out who is connected if I forgot my router admin password?
If you didn't change the administrator password when you first set it up, try the default one (it's often found on a sticker). If the password has been changed and forgotten, the only option is to perform a full reset of the router using the Reset on the case (hold for 5-10 seconds). After this, the router will return to factory settings, and you'll be able to log in using the information on the sticker, but you'll have to set up your internet connection again.
Does the number of connected devices affect router wear and tear?
Yes, indirectly. Each connected device puts a strain on the router's processor and RAM, forcing it to work harder and generate heat. Cheap models Xiaomi with a small amount of RAM, they may start to "cut" speed or freeze when connecting more than 10-15 active devices simultaneously.