Help and frequently asked questions

NetSamurai is a network scanner and Wi-Fi security checker for iPhone and iPad, made by independent developer Stefan Dasic. It finds the devices on the Wi-Fi network you're connected to, helps you identify unfamiliar ones, checks them for risky services and known vulnerabilities, and explains how to fix each finding.

NetSamurai is on the App Store for iPhone and iPad as NetSamurai: Network Scanner. Open the App Store page on your device or search for NetSamurai in the App Store.

An iPhone or iPad with iOS or iPadOS 17.0 or later, a connection to an IPv4 Wi-Fi network, and Local Network access allowed for NetSamurai. Certificate expiry checks need iOS 18 or later.

Connect to the Wi-Fi network you want to check, open NetSamurai, agree to scan only networks you own or have permission to assess, allow Local Network access when iOS asks, and tap Scan. Then open any device and tap Check this device to look for weaknesses.

Local Network access is probably off. Open iOS Settings, scroll to NetSamurai, and turn on Local Network. Also make sure you're on Wi-Fi rather than cellular, and that a VPN app isn't routing all traffic away from your local network.

Devices that are asleep, switched off, on a guest network, or behind the router's client isolation may not answer. Some devices also ignore every probe. Wake them up and scan again. On networks with more than 256 addresses, a scan covers the 256-address block around your own address; with Pro you can choose a different block.

Many devices never announce a name, and iPhones, iPads and Android phones use a private Wi-Fi address that hides the maker. Open the device and use Identify this device for clues, then give it a name. The unknown device guide goes through it step by step.

It tells NetSamurai you recognize the device, so new-device alerts leave it out and the unfamiliar ones stand out. It doesn't mean the device is secure; its checks and findings are unchanged.

Only scan networks you own or have permission to assess, such as your home network or one where the owner has said yes. NetSamurai asks you to confirm this before the first scan, and you can ask to be reminded again in Settings, Privacy and permissions.

A Quick check connects to 16 common ports on one device and reads what each service answers, such as a Telnet negotiation, an FTP greeting, an SMB reply or a web page. It never logs in. Findings appear when the evidence matches one of NetSamurai's checks.

The software version or device model NetSamurai read is in a range that a CVE affects, but the evidence can't prove the device is unpatched. Vendors often backport fixes without changing the version. Update the device, or check with its maker, to be sure.

It means no issues were found within the checks performed. Some problems can't be seen from the network, devices that didn't answer weren't checked, and NetSamurai covers a reviewed set of services and vulnerabilities. It's a good sign, not a guarantee.

A finding is marked resolved only when a check shows the problem is gone, not when you change a setting. Open the device and check it again. If the device needs a restart for the change to apply, restart it first.

CVE rules are reviewed by the developer and ship with the app. Known exploitation data comes from CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and exploit probability from FIRST's EPSS. Tap Check for updates in Settings, Vulnerability data, or turn on the daily check, to download the latest KEV list and EPSS scores. Nothing about your network is sent.

No. It shows which devices are on your network and which have weaknesses it can check for. It does not inspect traffic, detect malware, identify people or prove that a device has been compromised.

Turn them on in Settings, New-device alerts. NetSamurai then notifies you about devices that weren't in the previous scan and that you haven't marked as yours. You can choose whether notifications show device names.

iOS decides when apps run in the background, often hours apart, and may not run them at all in Low Power Mode or if you rarely open the app. Background checks only run on saved networks you allow. They aren't a live alarm.

Yes, with Shortcuts. Create a personal automation such as When I join my Wi-Fi, and add NetSamurai's Check for New Devices action.

Batch checks, extended checks of about 80 ports, full checks of all 65,535 ports, custom ports and saved port profiles, choosing which addresses to scan, browsing other saved networks, saved baselines, longer history (up to 100 scans per network and 20 checks per device), owner and room tags, and PDF, CSV and JSON reports.

No. Pro is a one-time in-app purchase at the price shown in the App Store. There is no subscription and nothing renews.

Sign in with the same Apple Account, open NetSamurai, go to Settings, NetSamurai Pro, and tap Restore Purchases.

Purchases are handled by Apple, so refunds are too. Request one at reportaproblem.apple.com. Losing Pro never deletes your saved history.

No account is needed and there are no analytics or advertising trackers. Saved networks, devices, checks and history stay on your iPhone or iPad and are included in its backups. Nothing about your network is sent to the developer. The privacy policy lists every outside connection the app can make.

Open Settings, History and saved data. Swipe a network to delete it, or tap Delete all saved data. Deleting the app also removes its data from the device.