NETGEAR Nighthawk - WiFi App for Pc

So, the app does work thankfully but I have some qualms with it. This app should support all the app WiFi boosters. If you don’t use a nighthawk booster, ALL devices won’t show on the device list, not just what’s on the booster. Next, I do like that there are preset times to allow guest WiFi but it either needs to let you input the time manually or it should have a drop down menu like every other the app app has that you can select time increments of 15-30 minutes. I have my kids on the guest WiFi since my the app booster isn’t supported for the XR500. The XR500 doesn’t have parental controls at all, even though the advertisement says it does. It’s much better to be able to set time periods on a guest WiFi than it is to disable each device and have to look at the time constantly. I’d love to see this app to give more control since the admin is the one who uses the app. I’d love to be able to edit the devices themselves on the app. Yea I’m sure the app will say, get the circle app. Guys... the circle app is among the worse apps you have. It DOESN’T work. the app products aren’t cheap and you shouldn’t need five apps to do something basic. You shouldn’t have to pay a premium for parental controls. the app’s reputation keeps taking major hits because the lack of user friendly apps and trying to cash out on features that every other company gives for free. This was almost a $400 router. I’d expect to be able to use an app that acts like the $400 was well spent.

Used to show me name of devices. Now I have to check Ip addresses of each device and manually name them. I have WiFi lights, multiple phones and tablets, smart TV’s, etc and its a pain, especially when IP address changes on each device. The only work around is manually input each device to their original IP address I named. Stupid. Ever since last firmware update to allow smart connect constantly causes multiple devices to drop main combined WiFi connection. Drops everything it changes to a different channel and takes about 5 min for combined smart connect name to reappear and reconnect. Turn off smart connect and it’s even worse. Latest update limits my option to assign devices to 2.4 or 5 bands. A lot of potential and I see where they are trying to accomplish but there’s too many bugs to be releasing and using us as guinnie pigs to work out their bugs.

I have a pretty old R7000 that has been working well for years. I have it set up as a bridge and have saved the settings in case I have to factory reset for what ever reason. Today was just such a day. Unable to reconnect, I had to reset. After several unsuccessful attempts to access and reload settings I ended up trying to connect my laptop via Ethernet cable to access it. At this point I wanted to try accessing the router with the app and was prompted that the net genie app no longer supports the nighthawk series routers. I downloaded the nighthawk app and tried setting it up. There is only one option, access a setup router, unless you are starting from scratch anyway. The router must get connected to the modem in order for the app to access it, it will not progress past that step otherwise. I finally gained access to the setup on my laptop and restored my bridge setup and attempted to access the router in the app again. Same options as before, if you look in the help section, it’s shows bridge mode and that you can’t use the app to access the router, you must turn off bridge mode. I can’t believe this series of router has such restricted app support and no option at all for manually accessing the router or anything. the app, get your “advanced” app in order so advanced users can actually use it to access their routers...

The only reason I am giving a one star rating is due to zero stars not being an option. The Nighthawk application is catered to the newer, more expensive routers. I didn’t have an astronomical amount of money to spend a few years back when I purchased my the app R6220 when finishing up my masters degree, I was a college student on a ramen noodle budget. The original the app app worked fine However, after being forced to download the Nighthawk Application even updating the firmware on my then antiquated R6220 proved impossible. I will also mention that I am a Certified I.T. and have an undergraduate in computer science and technology. It’s not for lack of knowledge on my part. It takes a lot of persistent problems with a product for me to make a negative review but this app earned its rating. I have a hard time believing that all of these five star reviews are actual customers and also know how easily a Corperation of this size could easily send home a product with their employees and get five star ratings, or lose your job. Just saying. Won’t be purchasing anything from this company ever again and am already looking forward to making this ongoing pain a thing of the past. Buyer beware, go with another brand...