Have you noticed your internet speed has become slower than usual, and pages are loading slowly? One possible cause is that too many devices are simultaneously using your Wi-Fi network. Perhaps your neighbors have connected to your router, or older devices are still connected after an update. In this article, we'll look at... How to check the number of devices connected to Wi-Fi directly from your phone, without approaching the router.
The methods vary depending on the phone model (Android or iPhone), router type (TP-Link, Asus, Keenetic and even firmware versions. We've compiled up-to-date methods that work on most modern devices. You won't need any special software—standard tools or the router manufacturer's mobile app are sufficient.
If you find unknown devices on your network, this may be a sign Wi-Fi hacking or unauthorized connections. At the end of the article, we'll tell you how to block other people's devices and protect your network.
1. Checking via the router's mobile app
The most reliable way is to use the official app from your router manufacturer. Most modern models (TP-Link Tether, ASUS Router, Mi Wi-Fi, Keenetic) allow you to manage the network remotely, including viewing the list of connected devices.
Here's how it works with popular brands:
- 📱 TP-Link (Tether): Open the application → select your router → section
DevicesorClients. A list of all gadgets will be displayed here, indicatingIP,MAC addressesand models (if defined). - 🖥️ ASUS (ASUS Router): In the main menu, tap on the icon
Clients(usually at the bottom of the screen). The app will show active connections and browsing history. - 🌐 Xiaomi (Mi Wi-Fi): Go to
Devices→Connected devicesHere you can even see the traffic consumed by each gadget. - 🔄 Keenetic: In the app, select your router →
Net→DevicesKeenetic additionally displays the connection type (cable or Wi-Fi).
If you don't know the model of your router, look for it on the sticker on the back of the device or in phone settings (chapter Wi-Fi → name of your network → Router).
⚠️ Attention: Some older models of routers (for example, D-Link DIR-300 or Zyxel Keenetic Lite) may not support mobile apps. In this case, use the other methods in this article.
2. Viewing via the router's web interface from your phone
If your router does not have a mobile app or it is unstable, you can go to web interface directly from your phone. To do this:
- Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
- Open your browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox) and enter it in the address bar
192.168.0.1or192.168.1.1(the exact address is indicated on the router sticker). - Enter your login and password (by default it is often
admin/adminoradmin/empty field). - Find the section
DHCP,Local area network,Wireless modeorClients(the name depends on the model).
Here's what the path to the device list looks like for popular routers:
| Manufacturer | Model | Path to the menu |
|---|---|---|
| TP-Link | Archer C6, TL-WR841N | More → Statistics → Devices |
| ASUS | RT-AC66U, RT-AX58U | Network Map → Clients |
| Xiaomi | Mi Router 4A, AX3600 | Devices → Connected devices |
| Keenetic | Giga, Ultra, Hero | Network → Devices |
| D-Link | DIR-615, DIR-825 | Status → Local Network → DHCP Clients |
If the router interface is in English, look for sections Connected Devices, DHCP Clients or Wireless Clients.
⚠️ Attention: After logging into the web interface from your phone, we recommend log out of your account and close the browser tab, especially if you're connecting via a public network. This will prevent unauthorized access to your router settings.
3. Using specialized Android applications
If standard methods are not suitable, Android You can install third-party Wi-Fi network analysis apps. They scan your local network and display all connected devices, even if you don't have access to the router.
Top 3 verified apps:
- 🔍 Fing — Network Scanner: Scans the network, identifies devices by
MAC address, shows open ports and vulnerabilities. The free version is limited to one scan per day. - 📡 WiFi Analyzer (by VREM Software): In addition to the list of devices, it shows the load on Wi-Fi channels and helps you choose the optimal one for connection.
- 🛡️ NetScan: A simple scanner with the ability to save connection history and export data to
CSV.
How to use Fing:
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
- Click
Scan- after 10-20 seconds a list of devices will appearIP,MAC, manufacturer and model (if determined). - Tap an unknown device to see more information (such as open ports).
Please note: Some applications may require root access for advanced features, but for basic network scanning it is not needed.
Why doesn't the app see all devices?
If the scanner shows fewer devices than it actually has, the reasons may be as follows:
1. Some gadgets block ICMP requests (for example, smart speakers or IP cameras).
2. The devices are connected via cable (LAN), not Wi-Fi.
3. The router is configured to isolate clients (function AP Isolation or Client Isolation).
4. The application has not been updated for a long time and does not support new protocols.
4. Checking on iPhone (iOS) without additional programs
On iPhone There are no built-in tools for viewing the list of Wi-Fi devices, but there are workarounds. The easiest one is to use router web interface (Described in Section 2). If this is inconvenient, you can use the short instructions:
- Install the application Fing — Network Scanner from App Store (free version with limitations).
- Open the app and tap
Scan. - Wait for the scanning to complete - a list of devices with
IP,MAC addressesand names (if defined). - Click on an unknown device to see more information (such as the manufacturer of the device).
MAC).
An alternative way for advanced users is to use Terminal on Mac (if it is in your ecosystem):
arp -a
This command will show the list IP And MAC addresses devices on the local network, but without model names.
⚠️ Attention: I can't access my iPhone ARP table Directly (unlike Android), so you can't do this without third-party apps. Apple also limits background network scanning, which can cause some apps to become unstable.
1. Check if you are connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.
2. Update your scanning app to the latest version.
3. Reboot your router and repeat the scan.
4. Try another scanner (for example, Network Analyzer).
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5. How to identify unknown devices on the network
If you see unfamiliar gadgets in the list of connected gadgets MAC addresses or names, don't rush to block them. Perhaps it's:
- 📺 Smart devices: Televisions (Samsung, LG), columns (Yandex Station, Amazon Echo), light bulbs (Xiaomi Yeelight).
- 🖨️ Printing equipment: Printers (HP, Canon), MFPs, scanners.
- 🎮 Game consoles: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch (often displayed under their names).
- 📱 Old phonesGadgets that haven't been used for a long time, but are still online.
To identify your device:
- Look at
MAC addressThe first 6 characters indicate the manufacturer. For example:B8:27:EB— Raspberry Pi;78:31:C1— Apple;5C:CF:7F— Samsung;00:1A:79— Xiaomi.
MAC addresses.If a device with the manufacturer's MAC address is detected on the network Unknown or from another country (for example, China, if you did not buy gadgets from there), this may be a sign of hacking. In this case, immediately change the Wi-Fi password and check the router settings for unknown forwarding rules (Port Forwarding).
6. How to block other people's devices on Wi-Fi
If you find unwanted devices online, you can block them in several ways:
- Via the router's mobile app:
- Open the list of devices.
- Select an unknown device.
- Click
Block,BanorDisconnect.
- Via the web interface:
- Go to the section
Wireless mode→MAC address filter. - Add
MAC addressunwanted device to the blacklist. - Save the settings and reboot the router.
- Go to the section
- This is a radical but effective method. All devices will be disabled, and only those who know the new password will be able to connect.
- Don't use simple passwords like
12345678orqwerty- they are easy to pick up.
We also recommend:
- 🔒 Enable WPA3 (if supported by the router) instead
WPA2. - 🔄 Disable
WPS- This protocol is vulnerable to hacking. - 📵 Hide network name (
SSID), if it does not interfere with your devices. - ⏱️ Customize
Guest networkfor temporary guests - it is isolated from the main one.
⚠️ Attention: If an unknown device continues to appear on the network after being blocked, it may mean your router is infected with malware. In this case, follow these steps: factory reset (button Reset on the back panel) and set it up again.
7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them
When checking Wi-Fi devices, users often encounter common issues. Here's how to solve them:
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The router app doesn't see the devices. | Outdated router firmware | Update firmware via web interface |
| The scanner does not show all devices | Some gadgets block ping requests | Use the router's web interface for a detailed list. |
| I can't access my router settings. | Incorrect IP address or password | Reset the router using the button Reset and use the data from the sticker |
| Unknown devices appear again | Neighbors connect through a vulnerability | Change your Wi-Fi password and turn it on WPA3 |
| The scanner shows "No devices found" | There is no Wi-Fi connection | Check that your phone is connected to the correct network. |
If none of these methods work, there may be a problem with the router itself. Try connecting it to a different power source or contact the manufacturer's support.
FAQ: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to find out what websites devices on my network are visiting?
No, not using standard router tools. You need specialized programs for this (Wireshark, GlassWire) or setting DNS monitoring (for example, through Pi-hole). However, this requires technical knowledge and may violate the privacy of other users on your network.
Why does my phone appear twice in the list of devices?
This is normal if you're connected to Wi-Fi and simultaneously using mobile data (for example, for calls). Duplicate messages may also appear if your phone has Wi-Fi enabled. Modem mode (Internet distribution) or VPN is working.
How do I find out which device is consuming the most traffic?
In most modern routers (ASUS, TP-Link, Keenetic) There are built-in traffic statistics. Look for the section Traffic, Monitoring or BandwidthYou can also use apps like Fing or NetScan (on Android).
Is it possible to check Wi-Fi devices without access to the router?
Yes, but with limitations. Applications like Fing or Network Analyzer They scan the local network and display connected devices, but they don't guarantee 100% accuracy. They won't detect devices that block network requests (for example, some IP cameras or smart speakers).
What should I do if my router doesn't support the mobile app?
Use web interface (section 2) or third-party network scanners (section 3). If the router is very old (for example, D-Link DIR-300), it might be time to think about replacing it - new models support remote control and have better protection.