In an era of ubiquity of smart homes and mobile devices, home network control is becoming a critical aspect of digital hygiene. Xiaomi routers, which have gained immense popularity due to the ratio of price to functionality, provide users with powerful tools to monitor online activity. However, not all owners know where to look for information about which gadgets are currently consuming traffic.
When Internet speeds drop for no apparent reason, it often signals that your access point may have been accessed by third-party devices, not only by a neighbor using someone else’s Wi-Fi “economically,” but also by an old smartphone or IoT gadget you forget that is updated in the background. Understanding how to view connected devices is the first step to ensuring the security of your local network.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the ways to audit your network, from using the official Mi Home mobile app to advanced settings via the web interface, and you will learn not only to see the list of customers, but also to effectively manage their access rights by blocking unwanted connections in one click.
The main methods of monitoring network activity
There are two fundamentally different approaches to managing Xiaomi routers: remote management via cloud services and local configuration via a browser. The first option, implemented through the Mi Home app, is ideal for quick check from a phone anywhere in the world. The second method available to IP-The address gives access to deeper system settings, which are often hidden in the mobile version of the interface.
The choice of method depends on your current situation and goals. If you just need to make sure that someone else's laptop is not connected to the network, a mobile application will be the fastest solution. MAC-filtering or view detailed logs of connections, without logging into the web configurator can not do.
⚠️ Note: When using public Wi-Fi networks to log into router settings via the app, always use VPN, since data can be transmitted in an unencrypted form, unless a secure connection is established.
It is important to understand that some router models, especially the Global Version, may have slightly different interfaces than their Chinese counterparts, but the logic and location of key features remain universal across the manufacturer’s ecosystem.
Checking customers through the Mi Home app
The most affordable way for most users is to use a smartphone. The Mi Home (or Xiaomi Home) mobile app automatically detects the router if your phone is connected to the same network and provides visual statistics.
Once logged in, you need to select your router from the list of devices on the home screen. The interface usually offers a card with the current speed and number of gadgets connected. By clicking on this area, you will be taken to the network management section, which displays a complete list of all active customers.
Here you will see not only the names of the devices (for example, iPhone-Alex or LivingRoom-TV), but also their names. IP-The application allows you to instantly limit the speed for a particular device or completely disconnect it from the network, which is especially useful when unauthorized access is detected.
- 📱 Open the Mi Home app and make sure you are logged in to your account.
- 📡 Click on your router icon in the Devices list on the home screen.
- 👥 Select Device Management or Customers to view the full list.
- 🚫 To lock, click on the desired device and select the option “Block” or “Limit speed».
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Rename all known devices in the app immediately after the first check – this will help in the future to instantly notice the appearance of new, unfamiliar gadgets in the list.
It's worth noting that the app sometimes doesn't display device names correctly if they're not previously recognized by the system. MAC-address, which is a unique identifier of the network card of any gadget.
Analysis of connections through the web interface
To analyze and fine-tune network settings more deeply, the router’s web interface is recommended, which gives access to features that are often stripped down in mobile applications, including detailed logs and advanced security settings.
To get into the control panel, open any browser on the device connected to the router network and enter the standard address bar. IP-For most Xiaomi models, it’s 192.168.31.1 or the domain name miwifi.com. Once you enter the address, the system will ask for the administrator password you set when you first set up the router.
In the interface that opens, go to Settings and find either Status or Connected Devices, and here is a table that provides comprehensive information about each active connection, including the type of connection (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) and the activity time.
☑️ Network security check
⚠️ Note: If you have changed the standard IP-The router address when you first set up, use the address you set, otherwise the management page will not open.
The web interface also allows you to see the load on the channels in real time, which helps diagnose speed problems. If you see a high-traffic device that you don't know, that's a direct signal to action, you need to check it immediately and blacklist it if necessary.
Data decoding: IP, MAC and connection status
When you look at the list of connected devices, you will come across technical terms that are essential for good network management, each of which carries important information about how the gadget interacts with the router.
IP-The address is a temporary numerical address that the router assigns to a device on the LAN, and it can change with each reconnection unless the static binding is configured. MAC-The address is a unique physical identifier of the network card, sewn in by the manufacturer, which is extremely difficult to change. MAC-The address is most reliable to identify the device.
The table below shows the main parameters you will see in the router interface and their value to the user:
| Parameter | Description | Importance to the user |
|---|---|---|
| Device Name | Device name (often given by the user) | High (for quick identification) |
| MAC Address | Physical address of the network card | Critical (for blocking and filtering) |
| IP Address | Local address on the network | Medium (needed to configure ports) |
| Connection Type | Type of connection (Wireless/LAN) | Low (shows the connection method) |
What is it? MAC-filtering?
Knowing these parameters allows you not only to observe the network, but also to actively manage it. MAC-Address, you can configure the router so that a particular computer always receives the same address. IP-address, which is convenient for organizing remote access or setting up servers.
Blocking Unwanted Devices and Protecting Networks
Detecting an outside device on the network is a frustrating situation that requires immediate action. Xiaomi routers offer several layers of protection to not only disable the intruder, but also prevent re-invasion.
The fastest way is to use the Blacklist feature right in the customer browsing interface. MAC-If the intruder addresses are on this list, the router will automatically reject any attempts to connect from this identifier, even if the attacker knows the correct Wi-Fi password.
- 🛡️ Change password: A radical but effective method: Changing Wi-Fi password will shut down all devices, after which you will have to reconnect your gadgets.
- 🚫 Guest network: Create a separate guest network for visitors, which isolates them from your main devices (printers, NAS, smart-home).
- ⏳ Time Limits: Parental control settings can limit access time for specific devices, which is useful for children's gadgets.
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The most effective protection is a combination of a complex WPA2/WPA3 password and a regular check of the list of connected customers through the Mi Home app.
Remember that some left-handed connections may be the result of malware on one of your own devices, and if you see an active data transfer from a device that is not currently in use, it’s worth checking for viruses or miners.
Solution: Why the device is not displayed or blocked
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the device is on the list, but it cannot be blocked, or it is displayed as “Unknown Device”, this can be due to the peculiarities of the DHCP protocol or the privacy settings of modern operating systems.
For example, iOS and Android in the latest versions use the function of randomization MAC-This means that every time you connect to a network, the phone can be presented to the router under a new one. MAC-In this case, in the Wi-Fi settings on the phone itself for your home network, you need to select the option “Use the device address” instead of “Random address».
If the router freezes and stops displaying new connections or does not respond to lock commands, it may be necessary to restart it. Prolonged operation without turning off leads to filling the system log and slowing down the router processor.
⚠️ Note: Before resetting your router, make sure you know the authorization data from the provider, as after reset, you will have to re-enter them to access the Internet.
It’s also worth checking if the router has SSID concealment enabled. If the network is hidden, devices may connect to it but not display correctly in the general list or require manual addition through SSID input.