Who Else Is Using Your Wi-Fi? 7 Ways to Check Connected Devices

Have you noticed that your internet has become slower, even though you haven't changed your plan? Or is your router flickering more often than usual, even when all your devices are turned off? Perhaps someone has connected to your Wi-Fi network. outside user - a neighbor, a guest who forgot to disconnect, or even a hacker. According to KasperskyEvery fifth router in Russia has vulnerabilities that allow attackers to connect to other people's networks.

Don't panic: you can check the list of connected devices in 5 minutes—without any special knowledge or software. In this article, we'll cover 7 working methods, including hidden router functions, mobile apps, and even computer commands. You'll learn how to distinguish your device from someone else's, what to do if you detect a suspicious connection, and how to protect your network in the future.

⚠️ Important: If you rent or live in a dorm, other tenants' connections may be legal (for example, through a shared ISP router). Before blocking, check the terms of the contract.

1. Checking via the router's web interface (universal method)

The most reliable method is to access your router's control panel. It displays a complete list of devices connected to the network, including their MAC addresses, IP address, and even model (if the router supports this feature). The instructions are suitable for most brands: TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, D-Link, Zyxel and others.

To open the web interface:

1. Find out Router IP address. Usually it is 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1The exact address can be found on the sticker on the back of the device or via the command ipconfig (for Windows) / ifconfig (for macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the IP into the address bar of your browser (e.g. http://192.168.0.1).
3. Log in. The default login and password are usually admin/admin or admin/1234If it doesn't fit, look at the router sticker.

The further path depends on the model:

• 🔹 TP-Link: go to Wireless Mode → Wireless Mode Statistics or DHCP → DHCP Client List.
• 🔹 ASUS: open Network map (left tab) → section Clients.
• 🔹 Keenetic: Devices → List of devices.
• 🔹 D-Link: Wi-Fi → Clients or Status → Local Network.

Check the MAC addresses of your gadgets (see section 3)

Check for unknown devices marked as "Unknown" or without a name.

Pay attention to the connection time (if the device is active at night when you sleep)

Compare the number of devices with the actual number of your devices-->

⚠️ Attention: Some routers only show devices connected via cable (LAN), and you need to look for a separate section for Wi-Fi. If you don't see the list, check the tabs. Wireless, WLAN or Wireless network.

2. How to find out the MAC addresses of your devices (to avoid confusion)

In the list of connected devices you will see MAC addresses — unique identifiers for each gadget. To avoid accidentally blocking your device, first write down the MAC addresses of all your devices.

How to find MAC address:

• 📱 Android: Settings → About phone → General information → Wi-Fi MAC address.
• 🍎 iPhone/iPad: Settings → General → About → Wi-Fi Address.
• 💻 Windows: open Command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and run the command:

  ipconfig /all | findstr "Physical Address"

  Look for the line Wireless network adapter.

• 🖥️ macOS: System Preferences → Network → Wi-Fi → Advanced → Ethernet → Ethernet ID.

💡 Advice: The MAC address is also found on the box or sticker of the device (for example, on the back of a laptop or router).

If the router list contains a device with a MAC address that is not in your list, it is 100% sign of an outside connectionException: Guest devices you've granted access to (e.g. smart speakers or cameras).

Never checked|Once every six months|Only if the internet is slow|I monitor regularly-->

3. Mobile apps for Wi-Fi monitoring

Don't want to access your router settings? Install one of the specialized apps. They scan your network and display all connected devices right on your smartphone screen.

Top 3 apps for Android And iOS:

• 📱 Fing (free, premium available): scans the network, identifies device models, and checks ports for vulnerabilities. Suitable for beginners.
• 🛡️ NetScan (paid, ~300 rubles): shows connection history, MAC addresses, and even the geolocation of devices (if they are connected to the internet).
• 🔍 WiFi Analyzer (free): visualizes channel load and device lists. Useful for network optimization.

📌 How to use (using Fing as an example):

1. Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
2. Launch the app and click Scan.
3. Wait for the scanning to complete (1-2 minutes).
4. Check the list of devices. Unknown devices will be marked as Unknown.

⚠️ Attention: Some apps require root access on Android to display MAC addresses. Without root access, they can only display IP addresses, which is less informative.

4. Commands for Windows and macOS (for advanced users)

If you prefer to work from a computer, you can check connected devices using the command line or terminal. This method doesn't require installing any additional software.

For Windows:

1. Open Command line as administrator (Win + X → Terminal (administrator)).
2. Enter the command to view the ARP table (list of IP and MAC addresses):

   arp -a

3. Compare the IP addresses to your local network range (usually 192.168.x.x).

For macOS/Linux:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Run the command:

   nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24

   (replace 192.168.1.0 to your network address, if it is different).

3. Wait for the scan to complete. The commands will display all active devices with their IP and MAC addresses.

🔍 How to decipher the result:

• IP addresses of the type 192.168.x.x — local devices.
• MAC addresses with prefixes 00:1A, A4:BB etc. - device manufacturers (can be checked through services like MAC Vendor Lookup).
• Unknown addresses are potential "outsiders".

arp -a | findstr "dynamic"

5. Checking through your provider's personal account

Some internet service providers (eg. Rostelecom, Beeline, MTS) allow you to view a list of connected devices directly in your personal account on the website. This is convenient if you don't have access to your router (for example, if it's located in your entryway).

How to check:

1. Log in to the provider's website (the address is usually indicated in the contract).
2. Find the section My services → Internet → Router management or Connection statistics.
3. Review your device list. Some accounts even allow you to block unknown devices.

⚠️ Attention: Not all providers offer this feature. If you don't see this section, use the other methods in this article.

📌 Example for Rostelecom:

• Come in personal account.
• Go to Services → Internet → Wi-Fi Settings.
• Look for the tab Connected devices.

6. Special programs for PC

If your router's web interface seems complicated and the mobile apps don't provide all the information, try desktop utilities. They're suitable for in-depth network diagnostics.

Top 3 programs:

• 🖥️ Wireless Network Watcher (for free, NirSoft): scans the network and displays all devices with manufacturer, IP, MAC, and first detection time. Supports export to .csv.
• 🛡️ Advanced IP Scanner (free): detects not only Wi-Fi but also devices connected via cable. You can remotely shut down computers on the network (if you have permission).
• 🔍 Angry IP Scanner (cross-platform, free): Scans ports and displays open services on devices. Useful for vulnerability detection.

📌 How to use Wireless Network Watcher:

1. Download the program from official website (portable version does not require installation).
2. Launch WNetWatcher.exe on behalf of the administrator.
3. Click Start Scanning.
4. In 10-30 seconds you will see a full list of devices with the indication host name, MAC and status (Active/Inactive).

💡 Advice: if the program shows a device with the name android-xxxxxx or iPhone, but you don't recognize it—it could be a guest's phone who connected earlier and hasn't disconnected. Try disabling guest access in your router (see section 7).

7. What to do if you find a foreign device

Found an unknown gadget online? Don't panic—here's a step-by-step plan:

1. Make sure it's not your device: Check the MAC addresses of all your gadgets (see section 2). Sometimes smart bulbs or old phones get forgotten on the network.
2. Try to identify the device: enter its MAC address into the service MAC Vendors - it will show the manufacturer. For example, if it is XiaomiPerhaps someone in the household connected a smart plug.
3. Turn off the device:
   • Via the router's web interface: find it in the list and click Block or Disable.
   • Through an application (for example, Fing): select device → Block Device.

⚠️ Attention: If a foreign device reappears after being blocked, your router may have been hacked. In this case:

• Reset the router to factory settings (button Reset on the back panel).
• Change your login and password for entering the control panel (do not leave them admin/admin!).
• Check your network for viruses using Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi testing