Wi-Fi routers can track your presence and movement at home. Here's how it works

Mint

22-07-2025

At home, most people think of Wi-Fi only as a tool for internet access. Modern routers, though, are much more than that. Many can now follow movements inside your house. This is real technology, not science fiction. The signals moving between your router and devices can detect when you stand, walk, sit, or even breathe. Indian homes are seeing these smart features more often as brands bring new devices to market.
A Wi-Fi router sends out signals to your devices. When you move, these signals bend and scatter. Even a small shift on the sofa or a person walking to the kitchen changes the way signals travel. The router collects data about these changes. Special software reads the patterns. Without cameras or microphones, it can tell if someone is in the room, whether people are moving around, or even if someone is asleep.
Recent routers, including those from TP-Link, Xiaomi, D-Link, and Indian brands like HomeMate, have extra antennas and work across wider frequencies. This means the sensing is more accurate and works through walls and doors. Motion detection is now part of home automation. When movement is noticed, lights can turn on, or the air conditioner can start. In some hospitals and elder-care homes, motion sensors track breathing or spot if someone has fallen, offering care without needing to watch with cameras.
For many people, privacy is a top concern. Wi-Fi motion sensing does not record images or sound. It tracks patterns in signal strength which can hint at where and when you are home, how you move, and when the house is empty. In India, most devices make this tracking feature optional. You have to switch it on in the companion app. Settings let users adjust how sensitive tracking is, set up alerts, or turn off tracking at any time.
People use motion-sensing routers for different reasons. Security is one main use, as sensors can trigger alarms or warnings if someone enters when the house should be empty. Energy savings matter too, with lights and appliances turning off when nobody is around. Some use these tools to take care of elderly family members or to keep an eye on pets. All these uses are possible with regular home Wi-Fi and do not need high-end smart home systems.
As Internet speeds rise and Wi-Fi standards improve, expect more routers and devices to offer motion detection. The technology relies on how signals move around your living space. Of course, privacy will keep being discussed. Strong rules and settings help people keep control over tracking. For now, the ability to sense movement quietly is already a part of many routines, whether for safety, convenience, or care.