How to Check How Many Devices Are Connected to Your Wi-Fi: All the Methods

Have you noticed that your internet has become slower and pages are loading slowly? One possible cause is network congestion due to a large number of connected devices. Perhaps yours Wi-Fi Neighbors have connected, guests have forgotten to disconnect, or new gadgets have appeared in the house that you didn't know about. In this article, we'll look at how to accurately determine How many devices are using your Wi-Fi? right now, and what to do if you find suspicious connections.

The testing methods depend on the router model and your technical skills. Some people find it easier to look in web interface through a browser, others prefer mobile applications, and advanced users can use command line or specialized utilities. We'll cover all options—from the simplest to the most advanced—and explain how to distinguish legitimate devices from rogue ones.

Important: If you discover unknown devices on your network, don't rush to block them immediately. It could be smart light bulbs, IP cameras or other IoT devices that you connected a long time ago and forgot about. But if the list includes unknown MAC addresses with names like Android-1234 or iPhone-XYZ, this is a reason to think about security.

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

The most reliable method is to log into your router's control panel. This method works on any models (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, Xiaomi, Zyxel etc.), but the path to the required section may differ. You will need:

  • 📡 Router IP address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1; look at the sticker on the body).
  • 🔑 Login and password for entry (by default, often admin/admin, but it’s better to check in the instructions).
  • 🌐 Any browser on your computer or smartphone.

Instructions:

  1. Open your browser and enter your router's IP address in the address bar (for example, 192.168.0.1). Click Enter.
  2. Enter your username and password. If you don't remember them, try the default combinations or reset the router using the reset button. Reset (hold for 10 seconds).
  3. Find the section with connected devices. It's usually called:
    • DHCP → DHCP Clients (For TP-Link),
    • Local Network → Devices (For Keenetic),
    • Wireless → Wireless Client List (For ASUS).
  • A table with active clients will appear. It displays:
    • 📱 Device name (if configured),
    • 🔢 MAC address (unique identifier),
    • 📶 IP address in the local network,
    • ⏱️ Connection time.

    Look for tabs with the words "Client", "Device", "Host" or "DHCP"|Try switching the interface language to English|Check if the section is hidden in "Advanced settings"|Use the settings search (if there is a magnifying glass in the menu)-->

    Interface example TP-Link:

    № Device name MAC address IP address Connection type
    1 iPhone-Pro A4:83:E7:12:F5:89 192.168.0.101 Wi-Fi (5 GHz)
    2 Samsung-TV B0:C4:20:3A:77:D1 192.168.0.103 Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz)
    3 Unknown-Device 78:59:3E:AB:4C:22 192.168.0.105 Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz)
    ⚠️ Attention: If the list contains devices with names Unknown, Android-xxx or unfamiliar MAC addresses, this could be a sign of a hack. We recommend that you immediately change your Wi-Fi password and disable the feature WPS in the router settings.

    2. Using mobile apps from the router manufacturer

    Many brands offer official apps for managing your router from your smartphone. This is convenient if you don't want to access the web interface. Apps typically display a list of connected devices in real time and allow you to block suspicious devices with a single tap.

    Popular apps:

    • 📱 TP-Link Tether — for routers TP-Link (including Archer, Deco).
    • 📱 ASUS Router — for devices ASUS (series RT-AX, RT-AC).
    • 📱 Mi Wi-Fi — for routers Xiaomi And Redmi.
    • 📱 Keenetic — for routers Keenetic (including Giga, Ultra).

    How to use (using example) TP-Link Tether):

    1. Download the app from App Store or Google Play.
    2. Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
    3. Register or log in with your account TP-Link ID (if required).
    4. On the main screen, find the section Devices or Clients.
    5. A list with device names will open in front of you, MAC addresses and connection type (Wi-Fi or cable).

    Advantages of mobile applications:

    • ✅ Notifications about new connections.
    • ✅ Ability to block devices directly from your phone.
    • ✅ View activity history (in some apps).

    Router web interface|Mobile app|Command line|Special utilities (e.g., Wireless Network Watcher)|Not tested-->

    ⚠️ Attention: In some applications (eg. Mi Wi-Fi) The device list is updated with a delay of up to 5 minutes. If you need real-time data, use the web interface or command line.

    3. Checking via the command line (for Windows)

    If you have a computer on WindowsYou can find out the number of connected devices without accessing the router. To do this, use the command arp, which shows the table ARP cache — a list of IP and MAC addresses in the local network.

    Instructions:

    1. Click Win + R, enter cmd and press Enter.
    2. Enter the command: 
      arp -a

      Click Enter.

    3. You will see a list of IP addresses and their corresponding MAC addresses. Exclude addresses starting with 192.168. (your local network), and count the unique ones MAC.

    Example output:

    

    Interface: 192.168.0.100 --- 0x12
    

    Internet Address Physical Address Type
    

    192.168.0.1 aa-bb-cc-dd-ee-ff dynamic
    

    192.168.0.101 11-22-33-44-55-66 dynamic
    

    192.168.0.103 a1-b2-c3-d4-e5-f6 dynamic

    To get a more readable list, use the command:

    arp -a | findstr "192.168"

    Limitations of the method:

    • ❌ Shows only devices that have recently communicated with your PC.
    • ❌ Does not display device names (only MAC and IP).
    • ❌ It may not show gadgets connected to the router via cable (if they have not interacted with your computer).

    4. Special utilities for network scanning

    If you need to not only count devices but also monitor their activity, use specialized programs. They scan the local network and display detailed information about each client: host name, MAC address, manufacturer and even used traffic.

    Top 3 free utilities:

    Name Platform Peculiarities Link
    Wireless Network Watcher Windows Scans the network, displays MAC address, IP address, device name, and manufacturer. Supports CSV export. Download
    Fing Windows, macOS, Android, iOS Shows devices on the network, tests speed, and detects vulnerabilities. Premium version available. Download
    Angry IP Scanner Windows, macOS, Linux Scans IP ranges and displays open ports. Supports plugins. Download

    How to use Wireless Network Watcher:

    1. Download and run the utility (no installation required).
    2. Click Start Scanning.
    3. After a few seconds, a list of all devices on your network will appear.
    4. Please note the columns:
      • Device Name — device name (if configured),
      • MAC Address — unique identifier,
      • Network Adapter Company — network adapter manufacturer (helps identify the gadget).

    • Wireless Network Watcher can detect devices that are not visible in the router's web interface if they are connected via a repeater or mesh system.

    5. Testing on routers with proprietary software (Keenetic, MikroTik)

    Some routers (eg. Keenetic or MikroTik) have unique interfaces and advanced monitoring features. Let's look at how to check connected devices on these models.

    For Keenetic:

    1. Go to the web interface at my.keenetic.net or 192.168.1.1.
    2. Go to the section Local Network → Devices.
    3. All clients are displayed here with the following information:
      • 📱 Device name,
      • 🔗 Connection type (Wi-Fi/cable),
      • ⏳ Last activity time,
      • 📊 Used traffic.
  • To lock a device, tap on it and select Block.

    • For MikroTik (RouterOS):

    1. Connect to the router via Winbox or web interface.
    2. Go to IP → DHCP Server → Leases.
    3. Here you will see a list of leased IP addresses with binding to MAC addresses.
    4. For more detailed information, use the command in the terminal: 
      /ip dhcp-server lease print
      5. ⚠️ Attention: On MikroTik on the list DHCP Leases Devices that were previously connected but are now disconnected may be displayed. To see only active clients, use the command: 
      /ip arp print

      6. How to distinguish your devices from others

      You found an unknown device in the list—what should you do? Before blocking it, make sure it's not your device. Here's how to identify legitimate connections:

      Step 1: Check the MAC addresses of your devices

      • 📱 On Android: Settings → About phone → General information → Wi-Fi MAC address.
      • 🍎 On iPhone/iPad: Settings → Wi-Fi → ⓘ next to your network → MAC address.
      • 💻 On Windows:
        1. Click Win + R, enter ncpa.cpl.
        2. Open the properties of your Wi-Fi adapter.
        3. Find Physical address (this is MAC).
    5. 🖥️ On macOS: System Preferences → Network → Advanced → Ethernet/MAC Address.

      6. Step 2: Check connected IoT devices

      Many "smart" gadgets connect to Wi-Fi automatically and may not have a user-friendly name. Examples:

      • 💡 Smart light bulbs (Xiaomi Yeelight, Philips Hue).
      • 🎥 IP cameras (TP-Link Tapo, Dahua).
      • 🔊 Smart speakers (Amazon Echo, Yandex Station).
      • 🤖 Robot vacuum cleaners (Xiaomi Roborock, iRobot).

      Step 3: Use services to determine the manufacturer by MAC

      If there is a device with a MAC address in the list 78:11:DC:XX:XX:XX, first 6 characters (78:11:DC) indicate the manufacturer. Check them through:

      MAC address decoding example

      MAC address B4:FB:E4:12:34:56 belongs to the company Apple (iPhone, iPad, MacBook). Address 50:C7:BF:12:34:56 — TP-Link (maybe it's a repeater or a smart plug).

      Step 4: Check device activity

      If the device is connected but not active (consuming data), it may be in a "sleeping" state (for example, a laptop in sleep mode). To check for activity:

      • Use the utility Fing (shows real-time traffic).
      • In the router's web interface, find the section Traffic or Bandwidth.

    7. What to do if foreign devices are found

    You've discovered an unknown device on the network. This could be a harmless error (a guest forgot to log out) or a sign of hacking. Follow these steps:

    Step 1: Check if this is your device

    • Compare MAC address with the addresses of your gadgets.
    • Try disconnecting all your devices from Wi-Fi and see if the unknown client disappears from the list.

      • Step 2: Lock your device

      In the router's web interface:

      1. Find the unknown device in the client list.
      2. Click Block, Block or Add to Blacklist.
      3. Save the settings.

    Step 3: Strengthen Wi-Fi security

    To prevent reconnection, follow these steps:

    • 🔒 Change your Wi-Fi password complex (at least 12 characters, with letters, numbers and special characters).
    • 🔄 Disable WPS (This function is vulnerable to hacking).
    • 🛡️ Enable MAC address filtering (allow connection only for known devices).
    • 🌐 Update your router firmware (eliminates vulnerabilities).
    • 📡 Change the network name (SSID)to hide information about the router model (do not use standard names like TP-Link_1234).

    Step 4: Set up notifications for new connections

    Some routers and applications (eg. Fing or Keenetic) can send push notifications when a new device connects to the network. This will help you quickly respond to suspicious activity.

    ⚠️ Attention: If an unknown device continues to appear on the network after blocking, it may mean your router has been compromised (for example, through a firmware vulnerability). In this case, we recommend reset to factory settings and configure the network again.

    8. Frequently asked questions and errors

    ❓ Why does the list of devices show fewer gadgets than there actually are?

    This can happen for several reasons:

    • 🔌 The devices are connected via cable (Ethernet), and you only see Wi-Fi clients.
    • ⏳ Some routers update the list with a delay (try refreshing the page after 1-2 minutes).
    • 📵 The gadget is in sleep mode and does not interact with the network (try waking it up).
    • 🔄 The device is connected via a repeater or mesh system, and the router does not see it directly.
    ❓ Is it possible to find out which websites a connected device visits?

    Yes, but for this you need:

    • 📊 Enable traffic logging in the router settings (section Logs or System log).
    • 🔍 Use specialized utilities like Wireshark (requires skills).
    • 🛡️ Set up parental control (for example, on routers ASUS or Keenetic).

    Please note: Tracking other users' traffic without their consent may violate privacy laws.

    ❓ Why does an unknown device appear and disappear from the list?

    Possible reasons:

    • 📱 This is your neighbor's gadget that catches your Wi-Fi but can't connect because of the wrong password.
    • 🤖 Automatic connection of a smart device (for example, robot vacuum cleaner or weather station), which periodically wakes up.
    • 📡 Router issues (e.g., DHCP server failure). Try rebooting it.
    How do I check connected devices on a router from a provider (Rostelecom, Beeline, MTS)?

    Routers from ISPs often have limited functionality. Try:

    1. Go to the web interface (the IP is usually indicated on the sticker).
    2. Search sections Local area network, DHCP or Wi-Fi clients.
    3. If nothing happens, call your provider's support team and ask them to enable client display.
    4. As a last resort, use utilities like Wireless Network Watcher.

    Many ISP routers (for example, Sagemcom or Sercomm) the interface has been simplified and the list of devices can be hidden.

    ❓ Is it possible to find out the number of connected devices without accessing the router?

    Yes, but with restrictions:

    • 💻 On Windows use the command arp -a (will only show devices that have interacted with your PC).
    • 📱 On Android install Fing or Network Scanner.
    • 🍎 On iPhone try it Fing or IP Network Scanner.

    These methods will only show a subset of devices, as they do not have access to the full list of router DHCP clients.

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