How do I identify the devices on my network?

Good morning @GinaHG,

Thank you for bringing this up to us on the Community Forums! I would love to provide assistance in this matter!

Our Smart Home Manager App will be the best way to manage your networks it will let you;

·         View devices connected to your network

·         Invite guests to connect to your network via email

·         Disconnect devices from your network (with some Wi-Fi gateways)

·         View your Wi-Fi network information

·         Change your Wi-Fi network name or password

Have a great day!

Linda, AT&T Community Specialist

I wasn't very clear with my first post.  I have the Smart app and I see all of the devices on my network, but don't know what some of them are.  How do I identify the unknown devices?

you really cant unless someone names their device something you know.

I am not able to consistently identify devices connected to my wifi. When I log on to my routers, I get one set of devices; when I use Smart Home Manager, I get another set of devices; when I use a third party app, LanScan, I get another set of devices. To be sure, the identified devices are mostly the same but just enough different to drive me crazy. Also, there is no chance any the "unknown" devices are people stealing my wifi---we are situated on rather large lots and the closest neighbor is more than 300 feet away. Can someone help me see through the fog?

Let's make sure your network remains secure, @jbbecker! 

We recommend blocking unknown devices from your network to prevent security breaches and unauthorized access to your network. 

1. Sign in to Smart Home Manager. 
2. Choose Network, then Connected Devices. Only devices connected to your network will show.
3. Select the device you want to view. Then, choose the more option (three dots). From here you can:
   • Edit device details
   • Add the device to a profile
   • Block the device from your network
   • Run a device security scan (if enabled)

It's possible that the app isn't able to identify the devices you've connected. If a device you're trying to connect shows up as unknown, you can edit the name by selecting Edit device details.

If you have any other questions, please let us know. Thank you for contacting AT&T Community Forums! 

Raiden, AT&T Community Specialist 

The AT&T gateways don't do a very good at device identification; SHM, perhaps even worse but not surprising.  But this isn't unique to AT&T equipment, I see this same sort of issue on many third party routers. 

Frankly, I don't get why it's so difficult to be as accurate as possible.  I've never used that app your mentioned, but I know that the Fing app is always spot on.  I've even suggested to some engineers for one router manufacturer who struggles with device lists that they should just buy the Fing code and incorporate it into their products.  The reaction I got told me they know they aren't doing a good enough job but were resigned to having to fix it on their own.

thanks much. I will try Fing.

The response from AT&T Rep is not helpful because ALL devices on my network are labeled UNKNOWN DEVICE.  I believe I have the same question as was originally posted which is “HOW do we identify which device is which?” It will not be at all helpful to block all devices listed as unknown because I would be blocking devices I actually want connected. Furthermore, I have compared MAC addresses from the list in Smart Home Manager to my actual devices and NONE of the numbers match so I’m stumped. Can anyone help??

The easiest way is to go to your device list.  Click on the unknown device. Scroll down to MAC address.   If you go to 90% of items you buy on the label

it will give the MAC address.  On an iPhone go to settings, click on WiFi, then click on the WiFi address you are using.  Scroll down to the WiFi address and that is the MAC address.  Not sure how android phones work.  But that’s how I did it. 

@gavelgirl 

If you want help then find a thread that is not 6 years old (2018) or start your own.