How to Check Who Is Using Your Wi-Fi

Knowing exactly which devices are connected to your Wi-Fi router is a basic security practice that most people overlook. Unauthorized users steal your bandwidth, slow your internet, and in worst cases can access shared files or intercept traffic on your local network. Checking your connected devices list takes under five minutes and should be done periodically, especially if you notice unexplained slowdowns or have shared your Wi-Fi password with guests.

Check Connected Devices on TP-Link Routers

TP-Link routers display connected devices in a client list accessible from the admin panel. Log in by opening a browser and typing 192.168.0.1 or tplinkwifi.net. Enter your admin credentials.

On the newer Archer interface (teal design):

1. Click Network Map on the main dashboard. The center of the map shows the total number of connected clients.
2. Click the client count to see the full list.
3. Each device shows its name, IP address, MAC address, and whether it is connected via 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or Ethernet.

On the older interface (green design):

1. Go to DHCP > DHCP Client List.
2. The table displays client name, MAC address, assigned IP, and lease time.

You can also use the TP-Link Tether app on your phone. Open the app, select your router, and tap Clients to see all connected devices with icons indicating device type.

Check Connected Devices on ASUS Routers

ASUS routers show a visual network map with all connected devices on the main dashboard. Log in at 192.168.1.1 or router.asus.com.

1. The Network Map appears as the default landing page after login.
2. Click the Clients icon (or the number next to it) in the center of the map.
3. A panel slides out showing every connected device with its name, IP address, MAC address, connection type, and current bandwidth usage.
4. Click any device for additional details including connection time and traffic statistics.

ASUS routers with AiMesh show devices across all mesh nodes, not just the primary router. You can see which node each device is connected to, which helps identify devices by location in your home.

For a simpler view, go to System Log > DHCP Leases to see a plain table of all IP assignments.

Check Connected Devices on Netgear Routers

Netgear routers list all attached devices under a dedicated menu item. Log in at routerlogin.net or 192.168.1.1.

1. Go to Attached Devices (in the left menu on basic firmware) or Device Manager (on Nighthawk firmware).
2. The page shows two sections: wired devices (connected via Ethernet) and wireless devices (connected via Wi-Fi).
3. Each entry includes the device name, IP address, and MAC address.

Nighthawk routers running newer firmware show device icons (phone, laptop, TV) based on manufacturer identification, making it easier to spot what each device is. The Nighthawk app provides the same view from your phone with the ability to pause internet access for individual devices.

For Orbi mesh systems, log in at orbilogin.com or use the Orbi app. Go to Attached Devices to see all clients across the main router and satellites.

Check Connected Devices on Linksys Routers

Linksys routers display connected devices on the dashboard or under a dedicated devices page. Log in at 192.168.1.1 or myrouter.local.

1. On the Smart Wi-Fi interface, click Device List in the left menu.
2. The list shows all devices with their name, IP address, and connection status.
3. Click any device for details including MAC address, band connected, and signal strength.

On the classic Linksys interface, go to Status > Local Network > DHCP Client Table to see all devices with active leases.

Linksys Velop mesh systems show connected devices in the Linksys app under the Dashboard tab. You can tap any device to see its connection details and which mesh node it is connected to.

Use the Fing App for Easier Identification

Fing is a free network scanning app available for iOS and Android that identifies connected devices more accurately than most router admin panels. While your router might show a generic name like “Unknown” or just a MAC address, Fing resolves the manufacturer and often identifies the specific device model.

To use Fing:

1. Download Fing from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Connect your phone to the Wi-Fi network you want to scan.
3. Open Fing and tap Scan for devices.
4. Within seconds, Fing lists every device on the network with its name, IP address, MAC address, and manufacturer.
5. Tap any device for detailed information including the first time it was seen on the network and its operating system.

Fing is particularly useful for identifying smart home devices that show up with cryptic names in your router’s client list. A device listed as “ESP_A4B1C2” in your router becomes “Tuya Smart Plug” in Fing.

Other network scanning alternatives include:

• Angry IP Scanner (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Advanced IP Scanner (Windows)
• LanScan (macOS)

Identify Unknown Devices by MAC Address

When you find a device you cannot identify by name, its MAC address is your primary clue. The MAC address format is six pairs of characters separated by colons (e.g., A4:83:E7:12:34:56). The first three pairs identify the manufacturer.

To look up a MAC address:

1. Copy the MAC address from your router’s connected devices list.
2. Visit macvendors.com or maclookup.app.
3. Paste the MAC address and search.
4. The result shows the manufacturer (e.g., Apple, Samsung, Intel, Espressif, Tuya).

Knowing the manufacturer narrows your search dramatically. If the vendor is “Apple” and you own one iPhone and one MacBook, check which device’s MAC address matches. If the vendor is “Espressif” or “Tuya,” it is almost certainly a smart home device (smart plug, bulb, or sensor).

Keep in mind that modern phones and laptops use private (randomized) MAC addresses by default. This means the MAC address your router sees may not match the hardware MAC address listed in the device’s settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi > tap the (i) next to your network to see the “Wi-Fi Address” your phone is presenting. On Android, go to Settings > About Phone > Status > Wi-Fi MAC Address.

What to Do When You Find an Intruder

If you confirm a device on your network that does not belong to anyone in your household, take these steps:

1. Change your Wi-Fi password immediately. This disconnects all devices, including the intruder. See our change Wi-Fi password guide for step-by-step instructions.
2. Choose a strong replacement password. Use at least 12 characters with mixed case, numbers, and symbols. Read our strong Wi-Fi password guide for tips.
3. Block the device’s MAC address. Log in to your router and add the MAC address to the block list or MAC filter. This prevents the specific device from reconnecting even if they somehow learn the new password.
4. Check your router admin password. If the intruder had access to your network, they may have accessed your router admin panel. Change the admin password too. Default credentials like admin/admin should never remain in use.
5. Enable WPA3 or WPA2 encryption. Verify your security protocol is not set to WEP or open. WPA2-Personal (AES) is the minimum acceptable setting.

After securing your network, reconnect your own devices one by one with the new password. Then check the connected devices list again to confirm only your devices appear.