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Support – NetScanner

NetScanner for iPhone, iPad and Mac. If you have questions, find a bug or have a wish, write to app.sascha@icloud.com. Please include the device, the iOS or macOS version and the app version (shown in the app’s About screen).

You can find the privacy policy and the legal notice here. (German version: Support.)

Frequently asked questions

The scan does not find any devices.

The app needs the “Local Network” permission. Without it, the system drops requests to devices in your home network. Check under Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network whether NetScanner is enabled. The device must also be on the same Wi-Fi as the devices you are looking for.

Why are some devices missing?

• Devices in deep sleep (for example battery-powered door locks) do not answer and cannot appear.
• Guest or IoT Wi-Fi networks are often in a different network or separated from the main network. Their devices are then not reachable from the scanned network.
• A scan can take longer because the app also looks for devices that do not answer ping. Wait until the scan is finished.
• With router access (FRITZ!Box only), the app also shows devices from the box’s device list.

Why is the manufacturer missing for some devices?

iPhones, iPads and many other devices use a random (“private”) Wi-Fi address. There is no manufacturer information for it. If a device reports a name or model otherwise (for example via Bonjour), the app uses that to guess. iOS does not release the MAC addresses of other devices to apps; the app gets them from Bonjour, UPnP, NetBIOS or the router’s device list.

Why does the app need the location?

Only so that the system releases the name and signal quality of the Wi-Fi. The app does not read any location coordinates and does not store or transmit a location.

What happens to my data in the speed test?

The speed test uses the open measurement service of Measurement Lab (M-Lab). Depending on your connection, the app transfers several hundred megabytes; on mobile data this can use up your data volume. M-Lab publishes the measurement results including the IP address as open data. The test only starts when you tap “Start”.

How does router access work?

It is optional and meant for FRITZ!Box routers. You enter the address, username and password. The app uses them to read the device list directly from your box. The password is stored in your device’s keychain and only sent to your own router. Access for applications (TR-064) must be allowed on the box.

The app crashes or shows something wrong.

Please tell us what you did just before the crash. The crash report helps: Settings → Privacy & Security → Analytics & Improvements → Analytics Data, entry “NetScanner”.