And also the Interface is not at all User-friendly. For an instance, if you want to view the list of devices connected to your Tp-link router, you have to deal with these list of MAC addresses. The interface is not responsive and is almost impossible to use on a Smartphone browser.
But I found TP-Link Tether App, the best and convenient way to control and manage your TP-Link router from your smartphone.
What TP-Link Tether App can do?
This TP-link router management app can do most of the things you would need to manage your TP-Link Router from your palm.
- View and Block Clients/Devices connected to your router
- Reboot and Reset your router
- Parental controls – Block websites for a certain device
- Configure your internet connection, View SSID & password
Setup your router with TP-Link Tether
Before you setup, please check if your router is in list of compatible devices and make sure your router firmware is up to date, your device must have Android 4.0/iOS 7.0 and above
TP-link tether supported routers
- Archer C9, Archer C8, Archer C7, Archer C5, Archer C2, Archer C20, Archer C20i,Archer D9, Archer D7, Archer D2, Archer D20
- TL-WDR4300, TL-WDR3600, TL-WDR3500, TL-WR1043ND V3.0, TL-WR841N, TL-WR841ND, TL-WR740N V5, TL-WR741ND V5 and more to be added
Once your router is compatible and firmware is up-to-date, continue with the setup.
- Download the TP-Link Tether app for Android or iOS
- Connect your smartphone to Wi-Fi network of TP-Link router which you want to setup.
- Open the TP link tether app, it scans and displays your router. Tap on the router displayed and enter Admin Username and Password of your router.
(Note: This is not the Wi-Fi password, its the Router management password. If you haven’t set one, the default username & password is “admin”).
Once you login, you don’t have to enter your router credentials. Just connect to the same WiFi, open the app and Tap on your Router.
As you have setup your router with the app, let us see how to get things done.
View and Block/Unblock connected devices
Once you select your router, the first thing you see is the List of devices connected to your Wi-Fi network. The List consists of icons based on Device type and Device name.This way you can easily view who is connected to your Wi-Fi network.
If you find someone is connected without your permission, you can simple block them. Just tap on any device and then tap on “Block”. This will block them from accessing your internet connection.
Additionally, you can also change the Device name and type (Android, PC etc.) in this screen.
To Unblock any blocked device, tap on Settings icon, then Blocked Clients, tap on the device you want to unblock and tap on “Unblock”.
Setup your internet connection
Well, if you have got a new internet connection or had just reset your router, you have to re-configure your router with your ISP’s IP address, Gateway, and DNS servers.
You don’t have to PC to configure your internet connection, Just go to settings and then Internet Connection, enter connection details and tap on “Save”
Block Access to Harmful websites with Parental Controls
If you want your kid to access only certain websites, you can do so with parental controls. Its the most convenient way to stop your kid from accessing websites with inappropriate content.
This how you can use Parental controls:
- Just Go to settings > Parental controls and turn on parental controls.
- Tap on “+” present on the right side to Child list and select your kid’s device (it should be connected to wifi).
- Set the schedule, the days and time, that is when you want the Parental controls to be ON. And enter websites that you want to allow under “Allowed websites”. You can add as many as you want buy clicking on “+” icon, all others would be blocked.
View your Wifi details, Reboot/Reset your router
You can also do other simple things. Just go to settings and Wireless, and here you can see your Network name, Password and you can also disable the Wireless radio.
Goto System in settings and you can quickly Reboot your router and also Restore the settings to Factory defaults.
The Benefit of having a Wireless router is you can actually Copy-Paste text between your computer and Smartphone wirelessly
If you have a TP-Link router, I would strongly recommend using TP-link Tether app, you can easily manage your network with that.
Hope you like the article. Subscribe to our free newsletter to get more such articles.
i want to manager Archer d20 from remotely
Hey Rinesh,
TP-Link Tether supports Archer D20.
Unfortunately you cannot use it remotely, you have to connect your phone to Same router you want to control.
Regards
Susheel
Have a brand new C9 router unboxed today. Router showed in app, then disappeared and won't come back. Have rebooted router and phone with no success. Now what? Thanks.
Hey
According to app description in playstore, tp-link tether supports Archer C9 V1. So please check if yours is Version 1.
If yes, please Uninstall and reinstall the Tp link app and try again.
I tried to block a user that is connected to my wifi. But it keeps on saying “Failed to block” . What should I do?
Clear the app cache, Reboot the router and try again. If it still doesn’t work, try reinstalling the app. Hope it helps.
I am not able to connect my iOS device with the TP-Link tether app and it shows your router may not be supported but router name is shown in supported list. The router is TL-WR841N
Hi Dhruv,
There can be various reasons that might be causing the problem. I am listing the possible reasons here.
You might be using the older version of TL-WR841N model. Besides model name ( WR841N), there will be a version number. TP-link tether supports TL-WR841N v9 and newer versions. So if you are using v8 or older it won’t work. (You can check the version number under the router)
Another reason might be if you are using custom firmware like DD-WRT or Tomato on your router. In that case, it won’t be compatible. You should use the original router firmware.
Hope it answers your problem. Do read the Tether app FAQs before trying again.
Susheel karam