Tp-Link has created a great app for smartphones and tablets called TP-LINK Tether. With this program, you can control your Wi-Fi router, and even configure it. The application is really very interesting and functional. TP-LINK Tether can be installed on mobile devices that run Android or iOS. I tested it on an iPad 2 mini tablet, and on two Android smartphones, everything works fine.
In this article, I want to tell you more about this program, and show how you can use it to control, or configure a Tp-Link router. I want to note right away that the TP-LINK Tether program is not able to work with all routers of this manufacturer. And it simply does not support a large number of popular models. A complete list of supported routers can be found on the program page in Google Play, or in the App Store (see links below).
Among the supported models you can see TL-WR841ND starting from V9, TL-WR741ND V5, TL-WR740N V5 V6, Tp-Link Archer routers, TL-WDR4300 V1, etc. I will check on the example of Tp-Link Archer C20i, and TL-WR740N V5. Be sure to pay attention to the hardware version of the router. The hardware version can be viewed on the sticker on the bottom of the router. Well, if the program still does not know how to work with your router, then you can configure everything according to this instruction. Via a browser from a mobile device.
In the same Google Play, you can see many reviews that TP-LINK Tether does not see the router, or does not connect. For me, the program saw two routers without any problems, and connected to them. It seems to me that most of those who left feedback were just trying to connect to routers that are not in the list of supported ones. And many do not pay attention to the hardware version of their devices.
TP-LINK Tether: how to download and connect to a router?
As I wrote above, the program can be installed from the app store. Here are the links:
- If you have an iOS device (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch), then go to the App Store and install: https://itunes.apple.com/ru/app/tp-link-tether/id599496594
- Well, a link to Google Play, if you have Android (version 2.3.3 or higher): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tplink.tether
Or simply enter "tp-link" in the search box on your mobile device and install the application.
In order to control or configure your router from a tablet or smartphone, you need to connect to it via Wi-Fi. Most likely, you are already connected to it. Well, if you have a new router and you want to configure it through the TP-LINK Tether program, then connect to a Wi-Fi network with a standard name, which will appear immediately after plugging the router into an outlet. The name of this very network, and the standard password are indicated on the bottom of the router on the sticker.
Then just launch the TP-LINK Tether program on your mobile device. A brief description of the functions will appear. Click the button To begin... And if you are already connected to your router, then it should be displayed in the program. Or pull down to update. So we select our router, and specify the username and password. By default: admin and admin. If you changed them, then indicate yours.
Push the button input, and we get into the settings of our router, through the Tether application.
How to use TP-LINK Tether and manage a router?
I connected, and wrote an article using the TL-WR740N V5 as an example. Therefore, if you have a different router, then there may be more sections and functions in the program. For example, after connecting to the Archer C20i, the Guest Network section appeared, where you can manage a wireless guest Wi-Fi network. It all depends on the router model.
The main page is a network diagram. It displays the devices that are connected to your router. We click on any client, and we see information about him. But the most important thing here is blocking clients. Just select the desired device and press the button Block... The blocked device will be disconnected from the router and will not be able to connect to it. Blocked devices are displayed on the Manage - Blocked Clients tab. There it can be unlocked. This is much easier than going into the router settings, as I showed here.
With this sorted out. Then go to the tab Control (bottom) and let's go through all the sections.
Wireless mode
Here are the minimum Wi-Fi network settings. If you select this tab, then you will see a switch that can turn off Wi-Fi altogether. But be careful here, because you yourself are connected via Wi-Fi 🙂
And if you click on the name of your network, a page will open where you can change this very name of the SSID, or change the password for Wi-Fi. You can also turn off the password with a switch, and make your network open. To save changes, just click on the button Done.
If you have changed the name or password of the network, then do not forget to reconnect your device with a new password.
Parental control
We will not dwell on this section in detail. In it, you can simply add and remove devices to which parental controls will be applied. As far as I understand, you must first configure the parental control itself in the settings of the router through the browser, and through the program just control the devices.
Blocked clients
This section displays those devices with which you have blocked the connection to your router. You can unlock them here.
Internet connection
A very important section that should be used exclusively when setting up a router for the first time, or changing a provider. There you can set the parameters for connecting to your Internet service provider. If you just bought a Tp-Link router and want to configure it, then connect a cable from an Internet provider or ADSL modem to the WAN connector of the router, and go to the Internet connection section.
If your Internet is already configured, then there you will see information on connecting to the provider (my Internet is not connected). To set up a connection, click on the top on Connection type ... Select from the list the type of connection that your Internet provider uses (it is very important to choose the correct connection!), For example PPPoE, and if necessary, set the username and password, which is also issued by the provider. To save the settings, click the button Save.
If you specified everything correctly, then the router will connect to the provider and start distributing the Internet. Otherwise, you will have a connection without internet access. If you need to set any special settings (IP address, MTU, clone the MAC address), then perform the setting through the browser. As I showed it on the example of TL-WR841N.
System
There you can reset the router settings, reboot it, and change the password that is used to enter the settings of the router and the TP-LINK Tether application.
These are all the features of the Tether program.
What if TP-LINK Tether won't connect?
I have to enter if the program does not see your router, or does not accept the password.
- The first step is to make sure the Tether software actually supports your router. A complete list of devices is available on the program page in Google Play and App Store. Links at the beginning of the article. Pay special attention to the hardware version of your router. It is indicated on a sticker on the device itself.
- Next, make sure that your Android device or iOS device is connected to the Wi-Fi network of the router you want to control.
- If the program writes that "Login failed", the password does not fit, then most likely you simply enter it incorrectly. By default, the password is admin. But it is quite possible that you, or someone else, changed it in the router settings. In this case, you will have to reset the Tp-Link router settings.
I noticed that many people ask if there is a version of TP-LINK Tether for Windows and Windows Phone. No, there is no such version yet. But it is possible that Tp-Link will soon make such an application for Windows 10, for example.
Afterword
An excellent program that works stably. There seem to be few functions, but everything you need is there. I think the new versions will add even more features. At the time of this writing, Tether software version is 2.5.5.
It's nice that Tp-Link made a program not only for its top-end devices, but also for budget ones. Although there is a limitation in the hardware version of the routers that can be controlled. The program does not support old hardware versions. I think in the near future all router manufacturers will make similar programs for mobile devices.
I'd love to see your opinion and feedback on the Tether app in the comment.
