Are you paranoid that your neighbor is stealing your WiFi? Maybe you don’t want certain guests to have access to your network. Whatever the reason, you’re asking, “How can I see what devices are connected to my network?”
This article will show you exactly how to check who is connected to your WiFi. We have included some easy step-by-step guides, so you don’t get lost along the way. Read on to learn more.
This Article Covers:
In Short: How Can I See What Devices Are Connected to My Network?
You basically have three options to check what devices that are connected to your WiFi:
- Using the router settings
- Using third-party software
- Using the Command Prompt (Windows Only)
How Can I See What Devices Are Connected to My Network Using the Router Settings?
All internet routers have firmware installed on them. This is what allows routers to work smartly. Most modern routers allow you to open a graphical user interface to change and view your router’s settings.
These options will allow you to check who is connected to your WiFi. You simply need to open the interface on the browser on your PC.
How To Check Devices Using the Router’s IP Settings
Here is how you can check the number of devices that are connected to your WiFi router:
- Open the browser on your PC. Most modern browsers will allow you to do this
- In this example, we are using Microsoft Edge, but it would work with any alternate browser
- Click on the address bar and type in the router’s “IP address“
- On the page that opens, you will need to enter your “Username” and “Password”
- Most routers have this printed on the back or in the user manual
- Typically, the default ones use “Admin” and “12345“
- Once you’re on the router’s main page, look for the option that shows your WiFi clients list
- These options vary from device to device but are typically found under the “Wireless” category
- In our router, this was found under “Device Info” and then “DHCP“
You can usually find the router’s IP address printed at the back. However, IP addresses can vary depending on the model and make of the router. Some of the commonly used IP addresses for routers are 10.0.0.1 and 192.168.1.1.
Alternatively, you can check the user manual to find the IP address.
How To Check Devices Using Command Prompt
Using a Windows computer, you can also find the IP address using the “Command Prompt.”
Just follow these easy instructions:
- Open the “Start” menu icon and then type “CMD” into the search bar
- Select the “Command Prompt” option to open it
- Type in “ipconfig/all”
- Press “Enter“
The IP address beside the “Default Gateway” is the one you need to use to see who’s using your WiFi.
If you notice a device that you do not recognize and shouldn’t be there, then make sure to change the WiFi password. An encrypted password is always a bonus, so use the WPA2-PSK encryption method if possible. This will remove all devices meaning they must all re-enter the password in order to connect.
How Can I See What Devices Are Connected to My Network Using Third-Party Software?
There is software that allows you to view detailed information about the network that you’re connected to. One of these which we can recommend is a free, portable software called Wireless Network Watcher. It’s a tool that allows you to scan your network and display a list containing all connected devices.
For every connected device, the software will show the name of the device, its IP and MAC address, and other relevant information, such as when it was first and last detected and whether the device is active or not.
We recommend downloading the portable versions when you go to the website, especially if you plan to use it sparingly. This way, you can delete the folder to remove the software from your computer rather than go through the uninstall process.
To use the program, follow these steps:
- Download Wireless Network Watcher
- Launch the program. It will automatically start to scan the network for any connected devices.
- In the bottom-left corner of the window, you will see a “Scanning” label indicating that the software is checking the network
- Once the scan is complete, it will populate a list with the devices connected to the network
If you are not particularly tech-savvy, you may have trouble understanding the list. Therefore, you can just ignore the MAC and IP address (if you’re only looking to find the users on your network). Instead, focus on the “Device Name” and the “Network Adapter Company” sections.
For example, the second device in my WiFi-connected devices list does not have a name. Still, its Network Adapter Company is ASUSTek COMPUTER INC., which is the manufacturer of my PC. This indicates that the IP for the connected device to my WiFi belongs to my PC.
If you’re an Apple user, sadly, you need more options to check who’s connected to your WiFi. However, you can use LanScan, a great but paid tool ($5.99) that checks for full functionality.
Most other apps are either paid or can be a hassle to deal with. If you’re an iPhone user, then you should give Fing a try to see who’s on your WiFi.
How Can I See the What Devices Are Connected to My Network Using Command Prompt?
Another way to view the devices connected to your WiFi without the need for installing software is to use the “Command Prompt” or terminal on your computer. This only works on Windows, and there is unfortunately no Macbook Pro alternative.
Here is how to check how many devices are connected to your WiFi using the “Command Prompt:”
- While on your desktop, press the “Windows” key and search for “Command Prompt”
- There, click the “Run as Administrator” option
- This will open the “Command Prompt” terminal on your screen
- Here, type in the “arp -a” command
- Now, press the “Enter” button to execute it
A list of IP addresses will be displayed on the screen, allowing you to see your WiFi connections. Although the list of connected devices isn’t as detailed as the methods seen above, this is still a viable option if you’re wondering, “How can I see what devices are connected to my network?”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Detect if Someone Is Using Your WiFi?
You can go to your router’s settings management page and check the list of connected devices to see the users using your WiFi. You can also download software that allows you to view detailed logs of the connected devices.
How Can I Disconnect Other Devices From My WiFi?
You can disconnect other devices from your WiFi device in several ways. Changing the password is the best way to keep unauthorized devices from reconnecting to your WiFi. However, if you only wish to remove a device from your network temporarily, you can go to your router’s management page.
Why Is There a Random Device on My Network?
If you see a strange device on your router’s manager, your WiFi security is compromised. It could be due to you giving your password to a friend or your WiFi password being hacked. If you do see an unknown device on your network, you should look to change your WiFi password.
How Do I Identify Amazon Devices on My Network?
You can look up Amazon devices on your router management page by searching for their MAC address.
If you’re using an Amazon Kindle device, you can find the MAC address by going to “Settings” and then clicking on “Device info.”
For users of Amazon Fire TV devices, you can check the MAC address by heading to “Settings.” There, click on “System” and then on “About.” Click on “Network” to find the MAC address.
How Do I Identify Devices on My Network Using MAC and IP Addresses?
Most of the time, MAC and IP addresses alone won’t be enough if you want to figure out the device connected to your WiFi network.
One way to do this is to check for the device’s MAC address. You can do this by going to the settings of the device. Every network-enabled device has a MAC address, and knowing which MAC address belongs to which device will help you figure out the name of the device connected to the network.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, you now know the answer to, “How can I see what devices are connected to my network?”
We’d recommend learning how to do it from the browser router setting because then you can check from any device at any time without installing software. But, if you find that a little difficult, some third-party software may make it a little easier for you.
Related:
- Why Does My WiFi Keep Disconnecting? [5 Quick Fixes]
