How to Use the Fing App

So you’ve downloaded the free Fing network scanning app from Google Play or the App Store, and you’re ready to start seeing what is on your network?

Here is our guide to getting started with the Fing app so you can make the most of all this app has to offer. But firstly, we will see how to create a Fing Account.

 

How to Create Your Fing Account

You can use the Fing app without creating an account, but if you wish to:

• Store your scans and access then from other devices and via the Web App
• Create an inventory of your devices
• And receive alerts when new devices have joined you network since your last scan,

you will need to set up an account. A Fing account is completely free and is easy to create.

Read here our quick and easy instructions to creating a Fing account.

 

What The Main Tabs on the Fing App Mean

When you open the Fing app, you’ll see three main tabs at the very bottom of the screen. Here’s a quick snapshot of what each of the tabs do.

• Overview: This tab gives you access to the Dashboard with four different cards (Online devices, Security score, Last speed test, and Online users). At the top of the page, you will always see the name of your network; with the new opening tab, not only do you have a complete overview of the network you are connected to, but also have the chance to automatically detect the best network to see. Tap on the three-dot icon in the upper right corner and then select the option “Current network”. In this case, the opening tab will always show details from the network you are connected to, wherever you go. Regarding the list of your monitored Wi-Fi, we made it easier to delete or unlink a network from your account.
  You simply need to select the bin icon in the upper right corner, then choose the network to cancel. You will then confirm that you want to delete a network (or unlink it, in the case of a Desktop network). You can also have the same result with a long press on the network name.
• Tools: This tab displays all tools splitted into four different sections (Verify Internet Performances, Improve your Network Security, Troubleshoot your network), that allow you to check your ISP performance, improve your network security and troubleshoot your Network.
• Account: this tab gives you access to log into your account, app version  & account settings (as well as being able to connect to a Fingbox, should you have a Fingbox)

 

How to Perform a Network Scan with Fing

Performing a network scan with the Fing app could not be easier. Not only is it a quick way to see all the devices on the network you are currently connected to, but our Fing identification software also identifies the make, model, brand and version of the devices, so you can easily spot your own gadgets.

When you access a network the first time, you can scan it as follow:

• Click on the Overview tab in the bottom-left hand corner of the screen.
• Click on ‘Scan current network’ (blue button)

 

• Whenever you wish to refresh the scan click on SEE DEVICES button on the bottom and then on the Refresh button on the upper right corner of the device page.

Your devices will be displayed with details including:

• Name: The name the device has been given. For example; Violet’s MacBook.
• Type icon: What kind of device is it. For example, mobile, tablet, computer, TV, VoIP phone.
• Vendor: The maker of your device. For example, Apple.
• Model: The generation of the device. For example, MacBook PRO.
• IP address: The numeric identifier assigned to the device on this network. Usually, it’s temporary and can change over time, typically assigned by the DHCP service running on the Internet router.
• MAC address: This is the serial number of the device which is set when the device is made at the factory. Note that the MAC address of the device is only displayed if the model information is not available.

 

How to Sort, Search and Filter Your Fing Device List

If you have a lot of devices on the network it can be confusing looking at the devices list. This is why we created the ability to organize the list, filter it and search for specific devices.

• At the bottom of the device scan display, you will see numerous tab icons. You can use these to:
• Search for devices
• Order the device by different categories
• Filter by state
• Change view (i.e. the information being displayed)
• Clear device

See below:

 

Creating Your Digital Device Inventory with Fing

To help you keep on top of your devices we recommend taking the time to organize your device list.

Start by clicking on one of the devices. From the device’s settings you can use the following tools:

• Enter a Name: This you can customize to whatever you what. E.g. Violet’s Work Phone.
• Enter Additional Notes: Here you can add your own notes on this device. E.g. due for an upgrade in June 2018.
• Enter Device Location: Here you can put the location of the device. E.g. if it is a computer you may wish to put that it is in the study.
• Star or Flag the Device: A star indicates it is a favorite device, and the flag indicates it is important. Your router will automatically be flagged as important. The flagging and star system can then be used when you are filtering your device list.

Work your way through your devices, customizing them in the way that best suits you.

 

With over 35 million downloads, Fing is the number 1 free network scanner for Android and iOS. The app allows you to quickly and easily scan any network you are connected to in order to see what other devices are also connected.

 

As well as scanning a network, Fing also has the following networking features:

• Service Scan: Device port scanning to detect any available services
• Device Ping: Ping devices and check the device’s response time
• Trace Route: Provides a map of how data on the internet travels from its source to its destination.
• Wake-on-LAN: Wake up devices remotely using the Fing application
• Device Details: Get device NetBIOS, UPNP and Bonjour: name properties and device type
• Mobile Internet Speed Test: Measuring the bandwidth and latency of an Internet connection against a server. The data rate is evaluated in both direction: upload and download.
• Compare ISP providers: check your ISP provider rating, reviews & performance. Compare these to other available Internet Service Providers.
• Internet Outages: check recent and current Internet Outages based on location
• Internet Performance: Performs automatic speed test and provides a graph of average performance of your network ranging from last 7 to 28 days.
• Find Hidden Camera: Performs an advance scan of the Wi-Fi network to which you are connected, and launches an analysis to detect the presence of monitoring devices.

 

In addition to the feature above, creating a free Fing account will also allow you to access to the following features:

• Digital Inventory: with an account you can name the devices on your network, allowing you to create and store a digital inventory of your devices.
• Digital Presence (Fingbox Only): Digital Presence feature enables you to monitor the presence of the people in your home or office.
• Alerts: This stored digital inventory then allows Fing to identify, alert and confirm devices when new devices have connected/accessed your network since the last time you scanned.
• Web app: With a Fing account you can also store your previous scans and access them via our web app, from wherever you are in the world

Fing’s powerful network scanning abilities make it the best app for knowing who and what is on your network.

You can find more information on these on our Tools page.

 

So now you know how to use the Fing app!

Get scanning, recording and troubleshooting your network, so you can be rest assured that you network is both healthy and safe.

 

Love Fing and Want More Network Security and Troubleshooting Tools?

Fingbox:   Check out the hardware add-on to the Fing app – Fingbox!

Fing Desktop:  Alternatively, we have recently launched a brand new offering to our suite of Fing Products; Fing Desktop.

Fing Desktop can be considered as a more powered version of the Fing mobile App, with better device recognition capabilities and new functionalities coming. To read more about Fing Desktop, please visit:  Fing Desktop

To download Fing Desktop, click on  Fing Desktop Download link

 

Still experiencing issues?

Please include all details related to your issue and write to us from your registered email address at support@fing.com