Want to know exactly which devices are using your home Wi-Fi right now? Your smartphone is all you need. This short, friendly guide shows easy tools and step-by-step actions so any home user can scan the network, identify devices, and secure the Wi-Fi if something looks suspicious.
Quick warning: Only scan networks you own or have explicit permission to scan. Scanning someone else’s network without permission may be illegal or violate terms of service.
What you’ll need
- Any modern Android or iPhone.
- A network scanner app (recommended: Fing or NetX) or access to your router admin page. Fing+1
Best apps for mobile network scanning (recommended)
- Fing (Android & iOS) — fast network scan, device recognition (brand/type), IP & MAC addresses, and ongoing monitoring features. Great for non-technical users. Fing+1
- NetX (Android) — device discovery, IP/MAC/vendor info, Wake-On-LAN and monitoring features. Good lightweight alternative. Google Play+1
(You can find other apps such as Network Analyzer or similar tools; pick one with good reviews.)
Step-by-step: Scan your network with Fing (example)
- Install Fing from the App Store / Google Play and open it. Fing
- Make sure your phone is connected to the Wi-Fi network you want to scan.
- Tap Scan for devices (or the big Scan button). Fing will probe the local network and list every device it sees, usually within a few seconds. Fing
- Review the device list: each entry normally shows a friendly name (if recognized), device type, IP address, MAC address, and manufacturer. Use these clues to match devices to phones, laptops, smart TVs, printers, IoT gadgets, etc. Fing
Tip: If a device name looks generic (e.g., 192.168.1.45 or Unknown), check the device’s MAC address against the label in the device’s settings (most devices list their MAC in Wi-Fi settings).
Alternative: Check your router’s admin page
If you prefer not to use a third-party app, you can log into your router:
- Open a browser on a device connected to the network.
- Go to the router gateway address (common addresses:
192.168.0.1,192.168.1.1, or192.168.1.254). If unsure, find the router/gateway IP in your phone’s Wi-Fi details. - Log in (router username/password — check the router sticker or your ISP docs).
- Look for Connected Devices, Device List, Attached Devices, or ** DHCP Clients**. This will list current devices and often show IP/MAC/manufacturer. Lifewire+1
How to interpret results (what the data means)
- IP address — the local network address (useful for advanced troubleshooting).
- MAC address — device hardware address; unique to the network interface. Helpful to confirm which physical device it is.
- Manufacturer / vendor — scanner apps often guess manufacturer from the MAC prefix, which helps identify the device maker. Fing
If you see a device you don’t recognize, don’t panic — it could be a smart TV, a gaming console, or a new phone. Use the MAC to match devices physically, or temporarily disconnect (see actions below).
If you find unknown or suspicious devices — immediate actions
- Disconnect suspicious devices: Some routers let you kick or block devices directly from the router UI. Fing also often offers “block” or “identify” tools tied to supported routers. Fing+1
- Change your Wi-Fi password to a strong passphrase (WPA2/WPA3 recommended), then reconnect known devices. This forces all devices to reauthenticate and removes unauthorized devices. Lifewire
- Enable a Guest Network for visitors or IoT devices to keep your main devices isolated.
- Disable WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) if present — it can be a weak entry point.
- Update router firmware to patch vulnerabilities.
- Use device-level security: strong passwords, two-factor auth on accounts, and keep devices updated.
Extra tips for better results
- Run scans at different times (some devices sleep and won’t show up until active). Fing
- Rename devices (in router or in the app) as you identify them — build a device inventory. Fing supports saving known devices and alerts for new devices. Fing
- Consider a modern mesh router or security-focused home Wi-Fi solution if you have many IoT gadgets — they offer easier monitoring and guest network controls. (Examples exist from multiple vendors.) WIRED
Quick checklist (copy-paste for your phone)
- Install Fing or NetX. Fing+1
- Connect to your home Wi-Fi.
- Run scan and note unknown devices.
- Log into router → block unknown or change password. Lifewire
- Enable guest network + update firmware.
Final notes & safety
Mobile network scanners are excellent for home users — they’re fast, easy, and usually free. Fing and NetX are two of the most popular, widely used tools that make scanning approachable for non-technical people. Always use these tools responsibly and only on networks you control. Fing+1