In the era of ubiquitous digitalization, the home network is becoming the hub of smart home management, a place to work and entertainment. When the Internet starts to work slowly and pages load with a delay, many owners of Xiaomi equipment suspect unauthorized access. Indeed, third-party devices can not only reduce the speed of the connection, but also pose a threat to the privacy of your data. Checking the router’s customer list is the first and most important step in ensuring the security of the home network.
Modern routers from Xiaomi and the Redmi brand are equipped with advanced traffic monitoring tools. However, the functionality of the interfaces can vary depending on the firmware version and the regional model of the device. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of control, from the classic web interface to mobile applications that allow you to manage access in one click, you will learn not only to identify violators, but also to effectively block them, preventing re-connection.
It's worth noting that visually identifying gadgets in the connection list is sometimes difficult. Network card manufacturers use different naming standards, and instead of the clear "Ivan-iPhone," you can see a set of letters and numbers. MAC-addressing DHCP-The server will help you quickly understand which device is consuming your traffic right now.
Use of the official Mi WiFi application
The most convenient and quick way to monitor the network for smartphone owners is to use the proprietary Mi WiFi application. This tool is designed specifically for integration with the smart home ecosystem and allows you to manage Xiaomi and Redmi routers remotely. Once you install the application on Android or iOS, you need to log in through the Mi Account account, which must match the account associated with the router. This ensures synchronization of settings and access to full functionality.
The main interface menu shows you a schematic picture of your router and the number of active customers, and clicking on the device number icon, you go to a detailed list. IP-Addresses and current download/return speeds. If you notice a device you don't know, the app allows you to instantly restrict access to it or completely block it. Guest mode is also available right from here, which allows you to isolate (guests) from the main network.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your smartphone is connected to the same WiFi network that the router operates, or turn on mobile internet if remote control is configured.In some firmware versions, access to the customer list may be restricted without local connection.
The special focus is on the "Game Acceleration" or "Device Priority" feature, which is often found on the app menu, which not only shows who is connected, but also allows you to redistribute communication channels. If you see someone downloading heavy files, you can temporarily prioritize your work laptop, which is especially true for those who have limited channel bandwidth.
Checking through the router web interface
The classic method of administration, which is available from any computer or laptop, involves logging into the device’s web interface. To do this, you need to open any browser and enter the standard gateway address in the address bar, usually 192.168.31.1 or miwifi.com. After entering the administrator password (which is often indicated on the sticker at the bottom of the case, if you did not change it at the first setting), the control panel will open.
Depending on the version of the interface (old orange or new blue/white), the menu may look different. You need to find the Settings or Status tab, and then go to the Customer List or Users section. Here's a table with all the technical information. MAC-addresses, time of rent IP And the connection type (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) is the most detailed view, which allows you to see even those devices that are in sleep mode, but are logged in to the network.
The web interface also allows you to configure static IP-And you can give them a clear name for each device, so you don't have to guess what it means next time"android-5f4a2b". In addition, connection logs are often available here, where you can see the time of entry and exit of devices, which is useful for retrospective analysis of activity in the network.
☑️ Network security check
If the standard interface seems overloaded or complicated, you can use the Advanced Settings mode, which gives you access to more subtle parameters, such as filtering over the Internet. MAC-But be careful: if you don't set up your filters correctly, you can lock yourself out. Always leave one device connected to your backup cable when experimenting with your security settings.
Analysis through the Mi Home app
The universal Mi Home app serves as a central hub for all Xiaomi smart appliances, including routers. If your router is added to this ecosystem, you can access it through a plugin. Unlike the specialized Mi WiFi, here the functionality can be slightly stripped down, but the basic information about connected devices and the ability to block them is usually saved. This is convenient if you do not want to install additional applications.
Inside the router plugin, the network optimization feature is often available in Mi Home. When you start scanning, the system automatically checks for suspicious connections and suggests that they be turned off. Artificial intelligence algorithms can highlight devices with unusual traffic behavior. This is a good way for beginners who don’t want to understand the technical details. IP-addressing and ports.
⚠️ Note: Mi Home requires permission to access the local network in the settings of the smartphone operating system (especially relevant for iOS 14).+ Android 10+). Without this right, the application will not be able to detect the router in the network.
Mi Home also allows you to create automation scenarios, for example, you can set up a notification on your phone if a new device connects to the network, which requires more in-depth configuration and perhaps using the Home Assistant server in conjunction with Xiaomi, but for advanced users, this becomes a powerful tool for monitoring security in real time.
What to do if the app does not see the router?
Identification of devices by MAC-address
The most common problem when checking a connection list is a name that is not clear, like "Unknown," or a character set. MAC-Media Access Control is a unique network interface identifier, consisting of 12 hexadecimal digits (OUI — Organizationally Unique Identifier points to the manufacturer of the network card, and knowing that code, you can easily identify the type of device.
For example, if an address starts with prefixes reserved for Apple, Samsung or Huawei, you immediately understand the brand of the gadget. There are special online tables and OUI databases where you can enter the first three bytes of the address and get the name of the manufacturer, which helps distinguish a smart light bulb from a neighbor's phone or a suspicious laptop.
Let’s consider the approximate table of correspondence of prefixes MAC-addresses:
| MAC prefix (example) | Manufacturer | Probable device | Type of connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4:50:46 | Apple | iPhone / iPad / Mac | WiFi / Ethernet |
| 04:CF:8C | Xiaomi | Mi TV/Box TV | WiFi |
| 68:EF:BD | Intel | Laptop (WiFi card) | WiFi |
| 3C:5A:B4 | Android smartphone / Chromecast | WiFi |
Using this information, you can audit your network. Go around your house and check it. MAC-Addresses of connected gadgets with those that appear in the router's admin panel, and those devices that you can't physically identify are probably redundant. Also remember that modern smartphones (iOS and Android) can use the “Private Wi-Fi Address” feature, which generates random Wi-Fi. MAC-It can be confusing if you're used to seeing a permanent address.
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Use the "Rename" function in the router settings immediately after the device is identified"Kitchen_Lamp" or"Dad_Phone" This will save you a lot of time in the future when analyzing traffic.
Blocking Unwanted Users
Once you identify an uninvited guest, they must be immediately isolated. There are several methods of restricting access on Xiaomi routers, the simplest is the Blacklist or Lock function, which is available both in the web interface and in applications. When you add a device to the blacklist, the router breaks the connection and prohibits re-authorization from this device. MAC-address.
A more radical but effective method is to change the WiFi password, and if you suspect that the password may have been stolen or picked up, you need to change it, and when you change the password, all devices will be disabled, and you will have to reconnect only trusted gadgets, and this is guaranteed to eliminate any "tails" on the network. Remember to choose a complex password that includes letters of different registers, numbers and special characters.
⚠️ Note: When blocking devices through MAC-Some smart devices (cameras, vacuum cleaners) may try to reconnect automatically.
While it’s easy to connect with a button, WPS has known vulnerabilities that allow attackers to retrieve a network password by brute force. In modern Xiaomi routers, this feature is often disabled by default, but it’s definitely worth checking its status under Security or WiFi Settings.
Prevention and strengthening of network protection
To avoid the “who’s connected to my WiFi” problem regularly, it’s important to introduce the habit of periodically checking your security settings. Regularly updating your router’s firmware is not just about new features, but also about closing security holes. Xiaomi manufacturers are releasing patches that fix vulnerabilities through which hackers can access your customer list or the device itself.
Use a guest network for visitors. It's a separate WiFi channel that's isolated from your main network with personal data, NAS-Guests don't need to know your primary password, but you can set a speed limit or a time limit for guest access, which is the perfect balance between hospitality and cybersecurity.
In conclusion, controlling connected devices is a basic skill for the modern user. Xiaomi routers provide all the necessary tools to make the process understandable even for inexperienced users. Keep track of the customer list, use complex passwords, and do not ignore notifications about new connections.
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Regular password change and WPS shutdown reduce the risk of unauthorized access to 99%, making your network virtually invulnerable to random neighbors.