How to see who is connected to your Wi-Fi

If you are asking "who is on my Wi-Fi?", open your router's device list or run a network scanner on your phone while it is on the same network. Both show each connected device with an address, and usually a name or maker. Then you match each entry to something in your home.

Two ways to answer "who is on my Wi-Fi?"

There are two main places to look, and they show slightly different things.

Your router. The router hands out addresses to every device that joins, so it keeps a list. You reach it through the router's admin page in a web browser, or through the router's own app if it has one. The list may be called "connected devices", "attached devices", "clients" or "DHCP clients".

A network scanner on your phone. A scanner checks the addresses on your local network and reports the devices that answer. It is handy when you do not know the router password, or when you want a quick look without logging in to anything.

Neither method is perfect. Some devices sleep and do not answer a scan. Some routers only show devices that are online right now. Checking both gives the most complete picture.

How to check your router's device list

1. Connect your phone to your Wi-Fi.
2. Find your router's address. It is often printed on a sticker on the router, along with the admin login. On most phones you can also see the "gateway" or "router" address in the details of your Wi-Fi network.
3. Type that address into your phone's web browser.
4. Log in with the admin password. If it is still the default from the sticker, plan to change it soon.
5. Look for a section named something like "devices", "clients" or "network map".
6. Note each device's name, IP address and MAC address.

Router menus differ a lot between brands, so if you cannot find the list, search the brand name and "connected devices".

What the details mean

• Device name: the name the device reports, such as a phone model or "Living-Room-TV". Some devices give no name at all.
• IP address: the local address your router gave the device, often starting with 192.168 or 10. It can change over time.
• MAC address: a hardware-style ID for the network chip. The first half points to the maker, which helps you guess what a nameless device is.
• Maker: many scanners look up the first part of the MAC address and show the company that made the chip.

How to match each device to a real thing

Work through the list with a little detective work:

1. Start with the easy ones: your phones, laptops, TV and games console.
2. Look at the maker for nameless entries. A known TV or printer brand usually solves it.
3. Think about smart devices people forget: smart plugs, bulbs, speakers, doorbells, robot vacuums, thermostats and the TV box.
4. Turn a suspected device off and scan again. If the entry disappears, you found it.
5. Rename devices in the router, if it allows, so next time the list makes sense.

If something still does not match after this, read our guide on what to do about an unknown device on your Wi-Fi.

How many devices is normal?

There is no fixed number. A single person might have three or four devices. A family home with smart speakers, plugs and cameras can easily have twenty or more. What matters is not the count but whether you can explain each one.

Keep an eye on it over time

Checking once is useful. Asking "who is on my Wi-Fi?" every now and then is better, because new devices appear when someone gets a new phone or plugs in a gadget. Some routers can send an alert when a new device joins, and some phone apps can do the same. Our guide on how to get an alert when a new device joins covers the options.

If you find a device you cannot explain, the most effective fix is to change your Wi-Fi password and check your security settings. Our list of steps to secure your home Wi-Fi walks through it.

How CellRadar helps

CellRadar has a Device Scanner that lists the devices on your Wi-Fi with names and makers, and a Network Map that draws them around your router. The MAC lookup tool shows which company made a network chip, which helps with nameless entries. Network Guard can alert you when a new device joins.

Frequently asked questions

Can I see who is on my Wi-Fi without the router password?

Yes, a network scanner app can list devices while your phone is on the same network. To remove a device or change settings, though, you will need the router's admin login.

Why does my phone show up with a strange MAC address?

Many phones use a private, random MAC address for each network to protect your privacy. That is normal, and it is why the maker for a phone may look unknown.

Can I see what other people are doing on my Wi-Fi?

A device list shows which devices are connected, not what they are browsing. Some routers show how much data each device uses, but not the content.

Does a device scan show devices on the guest network?

Often not. Guest networks are usually kept separate from your main network, so a scan from the main network may not see them. Check the router's list for the full view.