Think someone is connecting to your wireless network without your knowledge? If you want to know which devices are connected to your Wi-Fi, it is absolutely possible and there are several ways to do it!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use your router
Step 1. Open a browser
You can use a web browser to connect to your wireless router's interface. You can use this interface to install and configure your Wi-Fi and find out who is connected to your network.
Step 2. Type the IP address of your router in the address bar
You will then have access to its web interface. The IP address varies from one make and model of router to another. Check the user manual or the manufacturer's web page to find your device's specific IP address.
- Some of the most common router IP addresses include 192.168.1.1 Where 10.0.0.1.
- You can use the Windows Command Prompt to find your router's IP address. Open menu To start up then type CMD to display the command prompt. Click on it to open it, then type ipconfig / all and press Entrance. The IP address is to the right of the Default Gateway heading.
Step 3. Enter your username and password
If you have not changed the username and password, enter them in the dedicated fields. They may vary depending on the make and model of router. Check the user manual or the manufacturer's web page to find the default username and password for your device.
The default usernames and passwords are usually "admin" and "password"
Step 4. Find a list of devices
You will find a list of connected devices in the web interface of your router. This list varies from brand to brand and model to model. It can be under Connected devices or Linked devices or something like that. The list shows the name as well as the MAC address of each connected device.
If you see a device that doesn't belong to you, change your Wi-Fi password, and if possible, use WPA2-PSK encryption. This will force all connected devices to enter the new password again
Method 2 of 3: Use the command prompt
Step 1. Open Command Prompt
In Windows 8 and later versions, you will find it by pressing the Windows key and typing "CMD".
On Mac, you can use Terminal. Click on the magnifying glass icon at the top right and type terminal in the search bar then click on terminal
Step 2. Type “arp –a” in the window
Step 3. Look at the IP addresses
IP addresses that start with the same numbers as your router's IP address (i.e. 192.168) are connected to your router. This is the IP address and MAC address of each connected device.
Every device that connects to the Internet has a unique MAC address. Usually, a device's MAC address can be found in the Settings menu, under Network or Internet settings, or in the device information. You can find the MAC address of a Windows computer, Mac, iPhone, or Samsung Galaxy
Method 3 of 3: Use Wireless Network Watcher (Windows only)
Step 1. Go to the NirSoft website
You can use the web browser of your choice.
Step 2. Click Download Wireless Network Watcher with full install
This is the second link under the Feedback heading on the page.
Step 3. Click on the installation file and follow the instructions
By default, the files you downloaded are in the Downloads folder. Click on the file titled wnetwatcher_setup.exe. This will open the Wireless Network Watcher installer and you will only need to follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Wireless Network Watcher will launch at the end of the installation.
Step 4. Open Wireless Network Watcher
This is the eye icon on a wireless router. If you can't find it, click on the menu To start up then type Wiress Network Watcher. Click the icon to open it and automatically scan your network. The app will display a list of devices connected to your network.
Use the Device Name column to see the name of each device connected to the network and the router to which it is connected
Step 5. Click the triangle-shaped play icon
You will find it in the upper left corner of the application window. This will scan your network again and display a list of connected devices.