In today's digital home, where smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, and various gadgets are connected to the internet, network monitoring is becoming essential. Users often wonder how to find out how many devices are connected to MGTS WiFi to ensure their connection is secure and free of third-party "guests." This is especially important if there is a noticeable drop in speed or intermittent connection interruptions, which may indicate channel congestion.
MGTS offers subscribers several ways to monitor local network activity. You can use your router's web interface, the official mobile app, or even specialized network scanning utilities. Understanding who is using your traffic allows you to quickly respond to unauthorized access and optimize bandwidth allocation.
Why do you need to control the list of connected gadgets?
The primary reason for verification is data securityIf an unfamiliar device is found on your network, it could mean that attackers have gained access to your personal files, passwords, or browser history. In an age where smart cameras and home servers store sensitive information, this risk cannot be ignored. An intruder on the network could use your connection to commit illegal activities, which the police would only be able to trace using your IP address.
The second important aspect is network performanceEach connected device consumes a portion of the available bandwidth. If a neighbor or random passerby connects to your WiFi, they may download large amounts of data, leading to lag in online games, buffering in 4K video, and slow page loading. MGTS routersEven modern models have limitations on the number of simultaneous sessions, and exceeding them causes instability in the entire system.
⚠️ Important: Finding an unfamiliar MAC address in the client list doesn't always mean you've been hacked. It could be a forgotten gadget, a guest device, or a smart device (vacuum cleaner, refrigerator) that connects automatically. Always check the list against your existing devices.
Regular monitoring also helps identify technical issues. For example, if you notice a device constantly reconnecting or experiencing extremely low data transfer speeds, this could indicate a problem with its network adapter or interference in a specific area of the apartment. Knowing the exact number of active clients allows you to configure the network correctly. QoS (Quality of Service), prioritizing traffic for important tasks such as video conferencing.
Checking via the router's web interface
The most reliable and detailed way to obtain client information is to access the router settings. The management interface is available by default for all ISP-supplied equipment models, whether Eltex, Sagemcom or ZTEFirst, you need to make sure that your device (computer or phone) is connected to the router's network and know the login address, which is usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.
After entering your login information (the login and password are often located on a sticker on the bottom of the case), the control panel will open. Here, you'll need to find the section related to the wireless network or connection status. Depending on the hardware model, this section may have different names: Home Network, Wireless, WLAN or StatusThese menus display a table of active clients with their IP and MAC addresses.
What should I do if my router password has been changed?
If the default password doesn't work, it was previously changed. Try to remember your password. If this isn't possible, you'll need to reset the router to factory settings using the Reset button. Keep in mind that you'll need to reconfigure your internet connection (you'll need to obtain your PPPoE or VLAN information from your provider).
Different manufacturers' interfaces have their own navigation features. Below is a comparison table of the paths to the required settings for popular models commonly found among MGTS subscribers:
| Router model | Path to the menu | Section title |
|---|---|---|
| Eltex NTU-RG-1401G-W | Local Network -> LAN Clients | LAN client list |
| Sagemcom F.AST 2864 | Home Network -> Wireless | Wireless Status |
| ZTE ZXHN F660 | Network -> WLAN -> User Side Information | User Information |
| Huawei HG8245H | System Information -> User Side Information | User Information |
In the list that opens, you'll see all devices currently online. Pay attention to the column Connection Type or Interface, to filter out specifically WiFi clients (usually designated as Wireless or WLAN) from those connected via cable. Some advanced models allow you to immediately block access for a selected MAC address directly from this interface by adding it to a blacklist.
Using the MyMGTS mobile app
For subscribers who prefer to manage services from a smartphone, the operator has developed a convenient application MyMGTSThis method is the simplest and doesn't require remembering IP addresses or complex router menu paths. The app is available for platforms Android And iOS, and after authorization using the contract number or phone number, it provides full control over the tariff and equipment.
The app features a section dedicated to home network management. Here, you can see a list of devices currently connected to the network. The user-friendly interface allows each device to be assigned a name or icon, making it easy to identify. You'll immediately see how many connections are currently active, without having to understand technical terms.
It's worth noting, however, that the app's functionality may be limited compared to the router's web interface. For example, detailed logs or the ability to configure MAC address filtering may not be available in the mobile version. However, this tool is sufficient for quickly checking for unauthorized connections. If you notice suspicious activity, the app often allows you to change the WiFi password with one click, which will forcibly disconnect all users.
⚠️ Important: For the MyMGTS app to function correctly and display up-to-date device information, your router must support the remote management protocol (TR-069) and be properly registered with the operator's network.
Network analysis using third-party programs
If the built-in tools don't seem informative enough or the router interface is blocked, specialized network analysis programs can help. One of the most popular and powerful tools is the utility Advanced IP Scanner for computers running WindowsIt scans the address range of your local network and provides a complete list of all active devices, their manufacturers, and connection status.
There are similar applications for mobile devices such as Fing or Network ScannerBy installing such an app on a smartphone connected to MGTS WiFi, you can run a scan that will show all devices within range of the router. This is a convenient way to quickly get a picture of who's using your frequency. Apps can often identify the device type (TV, phone, printer) by MAC address, making identification easier.
Using third-party software provides deeper technical data. You can see not only the connection status but also open ports, response time (ping), and even the operating system of the remote device. This is useful for diagnostics: if a device is responding too slowly, it may be located too far from the router or have antenna issues. However, keep in mind that such programs only work when you're on the network.
MAC address decoding and identification
In the list of connected devices the main identifier is MAC addressThis is a unique code consisting of 12 hexadecimal characters (numbers and letters from A to F) assigned to the network adapter during manufacturing. The first six characters (OUI – Organizationally Unique Identifier) identify the equipment manufacturer. Knowing these codes allows you to identify the connected device, even if it doesn't have a user-friendly name.
For example, if the MAC address starts with 00:1A:2B, this may indicate equipment Apple, and the prefix B8:27:EB often belongs to devices Raspberry PiThere are online databases and OUI directories where you can enter the first three bytes of an address to get the manufacturer's name. This helps you distinguish your neighbor's phone from your own smart light bulb or game console.
However, modern privacy protection technologies are making their own adjustments. Operating systems iOS (starting from version 14) and Android (starting with version 10) use the "Private Wi-Fi Address" or "MAC Address Randomization" feature by default. This means your phone can present itself to the router as a random, changing address, making it harder to track in public areas. On a home network, this can create the illusion of new devices appearing, even though they're the same phone.
☑️ How to identify a device
To avoid confusion, we recommend disabling MAC address randomization specifically for your home network in your router or smartphone settings. This will ensure the device always uses a consistent physical address, making it easy to identify in the client list. To do this, go to your phone's WiFi settings and find your network properties and switch the "Privacy" setting to "Use device MAC address."
Protecting your network from unauthorized access
If the scan reveals the presence of unauthorized devices, you must immediately take steps to secure your network perimeter. The most effective and simple way is to change your WiFi password. Changing the security key will disconnect all connected devices, requiring them to enter the new password to reconnect. Use complex character combinations, avoiding simple sequences and birthdays.
It's also important to check the encryption type. Make sure the standard is selected in your router settings. WPA2-PSK or, even better, WPA3, if your hardware supports it. Legacy encryption protocols such as WEP or WPA (TKIP), are easily hacked automatically, even by inexperienced hackers. Modern MGTS routers are typically configured with secure defaults, but after a reset, the settings can revert to the factory, less secure values.
⚠️ Warning: The WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) feature, which allows you to connect by pressing a button or using a PIN code, is vulnerable. We recommend disabling WPS in your router settings to prevent hackers from guessing your PIN code.
An additional security measure is MAC address filtering. You can configure your router to accept connections only from a pre-approved list of devices (whitelist). In this case, even with the password, an intruder won't be able to connect, as their physical address won't be added to the approved database. This is a labor-intensive method that requires manually registering each new device, but it provides the highest level of control.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the number of connected devices affect internet speed?
Yes, the channel's bandwidth is divided among all active users. If one device is downloading a large file or watching a high-definition video, the speed for others may drop. Furthermore, the router itself has a limit on the number of simultaneous connections, and if there are too many, it may slow down or reboot.
Can my neighbor steal my WiFi if I changed the password?
If you've changed your password to a strong one and enabled WPA2/WPA3 encryption, the chances of being hacked are extremely low. However, if you have WPS enabled, it's theoretically possible to brute-force your PIN. The risk also remains if the password was previously saved on a device that fell into the hands of an attacker, or if your computer is infected with viruses that steal saved keys.
Why do I see "Unknown device" in the list of devices?
This could be any gadget: a smart plug, a TV, a set-top box, or a guest's phone. Often, devices don't transmit their hostname correctly, and the router displays them as "Unknown" or simply by their MAC address. Try disabling devices one by one to see which one is missing from the list, or use scanner apps to identify the manufacturer by their MAC address.
How to hide your WiFi network from strangers?
You can disable SSID (network name) broadcasting in your router settings. This will make the network "hidden" and won't appear in the list of available networks on phones and laptops. To connect to it, you'll need to manually enter the network name and password. However, this doesn't provide 100% protection, as hidden networks are easily detected by specialized software.