Scan All Devices on Your Wi-Fi Using Termux (2026 Updated Nmap Guide)

Ever wondered what’s actually happening on your local Wi-Fi network? Who’s connected, what devices are using your internet, or which ports are open right now? ️‍️

In this guide, I'll show you how to install Nmap in Termux and use your Android phone to scan your own Wi-Fi network, without needing root access or a PC.

With Termux and Nmap, you can scan your Wi-Fi network for connected devices, detect open ports, identify running services, and even attempt OS detection. It’s like having a mini cybersecurity lab right in your pocket.

Whether you’re a beginner learning ethical hacking or simply curious about your own network, this Nmap Termux tutorial will show you how to scan your network and understand what's happening on your Wi-Fi.

Quick note: This guide shows you how to install Nmap in Termux, find your local network information, and scan Wi-Fi devices with Termux. You do not need root access for the basic scans covered here.

️ What Is Nmap and Why Use It in Termux?

Nmap, short for Network Mapper, is a free and open source tool used for network discovery and security auditing. It can help you:

• Detect devices on your network
• Identify open ports
• Recognize running services and their versions ️
• Understand potential security issues on systems you are authorized to test

With Nmap + Termux, you can turn your Android phone into a portable network scanning and cybersecurity learning environment.

Step 1: How to Install Nmap in Termux

First, update your Termux packages, then install Nmap:

pkg update && pkg upgrade -y
pkg install nmap

Once the installation finishes, you can use Nmap directly from your Termux terminal.

Step 2: Find Your Local IP Address on Android

Before scanning your local network, you need to identify your phone’s local IP address and subnet. One way to check your network information is:

ifconfig

Look for network information similar to:

wlan0: flags=...
inet 192.168.1.208 netmask 255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.168.1.255

The inet address, such as 192.168.1.208, is your phone’s local IP address. In this example, the network uses a 192.168.1.0/24 subnet.

Step 3: Scan All Devices on Your Wi-Fi Network

Once you know your local subnet, you can use Nmap to scan the network and see which hosts and services are responding.

nmap -sV 192.168.1.0/24

This command can:

• Show hosts that are online
• Identify open ports on discovered hosts
• Detect available service versions

Example output:

Nmap scan report for 192.168.1.208
Host is up (0.0068s latency).
PORT STATE SERVICE VERSION
8022/tcp open ssh OpenSSH 9.9

The results show which hosts responded and which ports and services Nmap found.

️ Important: Only Scan Networks You Own or Have Permission to Test

Only scan networks and devices that you own or have explicit permission to test. When reviewing the results, look for hosts marked as “Host is up”.

If Nmap reports All 1000 scanned ports are closed, it simply means that Nmap did not find open ports among the default ports it checked.

Step 4: Scan a Specific Device

Once you identify a device on your own network, such as your laptop or a smart home device, you can scan its IP address:

nmap -sV 192.168.1.208

This command:

• Targets only the specified IP address
• Shows detected open ports and available service information

Bonus Tip: Try OS Detection

You can also try OS detection with:

nmap -O 192.168.1.208

The -O option attempts to identify the operating system of the target. Depending on the device, network configuration, and available permissions, Nmap may or may not be able to determine the OS accurately. ️‍️

Want to learn more about Nmap in Termux? Check out our complete Nmap in Termux guide.

Want to explore more network tools? Learn about Wireshark and other network tools in Termux.

FAQs: Nmap + Termux Wi-Fi Scanning

Q: Can I scan Wi-Fi devices using Termux without root?
A: Yes. Basic Nmap network scans can be performed from Termux without root access. Only scan networks and devices that you own or have permission to test.

Q: Is Nmap safe to use?
A: Nmap is a legitimate network discovery and security auditing tool. Use it responsibly and only scan networks where you have permission.

Q: Can Nmap show every device connected to my Wi-Fi?
A: Nmap can discover hosts that respond to its probes, but results can vary depending on firewalls, network configuration, device settings, and the type of scan being used.

Q: Can I use Nmap on Android?
A: Yes. Nmap can be installed and used through Termux, allowing Android users to perform network discovery and security testing from their phones.

Q: How much space or power do I need?
A: Nmap itself is relatively lightweight. Make sure Termux is updated and you have a stable network connection. Larger network scans can take more time and battery.

Also Read

• How to Use ChatGPT in Termux (AI on Android!)
• ️ Install & Run Ubuntu in Termux (Full Linux Setup)
• Find Your Public IP Address using Termux

These guides can help you build your Termux skills further

Final Thoughts

Nmap is a powerful way to understand what is happening on your own network. You can use it to discover devices, inspect open ports, and identify available services. It turns your Android phone into a useful network discovery tool.

Always use Nmap ethically and only scan networks and devices you own or have permission to test.

If you enjoyed this guide, you can also install Gemini CLI in Termux and explore more tools you can run from Android.

That's it. Scan your own network, understand what you find, thanks for reading and as always stay ethical.