Who Is on My Network?

LAN Scanner, part of Netutilus Pro, finds the devices on your network. Network Guard, in the same tool, watches for new ones.

1. Scan

Open LAN Scanner and click Scan. If macOS asks whether Netutilus may find devices on your local network, allow it: without that, the scan sees almost nothing.

2. Work out what each device is

Most devices name themselves: a phone, a printer, a TV, a speaker. The line under each name says what identified it, such as a model the device published. Your router is marked Gateway, and this Mac This Mac.

For a device you don’t recognise:

• Select it, and click Check Services to see what runs on it. A web page, a printer port or a camera stream often gives it away.
• Right-click it to open its web page, if it has one.
• Grey Remembered devices didn’t answer this time. The router only remembers their names. Often a phone that’s asleep.

3. Watch for new devices

In Network Guard, above the table, turn on Guard this network. Once you’ve recognised everything, click Trust These Devices. From then on, Netutilus rescans on a schedule and notifies you about any device that joins.

4. If a device is a stranger

• Change your Wi-Fi password. Every device then has to join again, and a stranger can’t.
• Look at the router’s own list of clients. It often shows which devices use Wi-Fi.
• Give visitors a guest network, so their devices never share yours.

Related

• LAN Scanner.
• IP addresses and Ports.