In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a system, method, and device for detecting motion based on channel fading characteristics are presented. One or more packets may be received wirelessly from a wireless transmitter. A fading profile may be determined for each packet. From the plurality of fading profiles, one or more parameters indicative of fading change, changes in shape of fading profiles, fading variance, and of other channel characteristics may be determined. A classifier function may be trained to associate parameter values with a lack of motion, with device motion, or with motion of an object in the vicinity of a stationary wireless-enabled device. The classifier function may be used to determine whether there is motion based on one or more subsequently received packets.