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Forum Discussion
HomeKit Router
Will Netgear (Orbi) support iOS 13 with a HomeKit Router?
Please add Homekit support to Orbi. I have 4 units in use and I generally like it but lack of HK support will force me to sell them and move to Eero or other that does HK
You can post about this here:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Idea-Exchange-For-Home/idb-p/idea-exchange-for-home
notype wrote:Please add Homekit support to Orbi. I have 4 units in use and I generally like it but lack of HK support will force me to sell them and move to Eero or other that does HK
FURRYe38 wrote:You can post about this here:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Idea-Exchange-For-Home/idb-p/idea-exchange-for-home
notype wrote:Please add Homekit support to Orbi. I have 4 units in use and I generally like it but lack of HK support will force me to sell them and move to Eero or other that does HK
I agree! I have two separate sets of Orbi RBR50 and a 20 each with two satellites that I will return in exchange for HomeKit enabled routers. Currently waiting for Linksys to release their update before I give them a shot or I may go with Eero if Linksys don't have an update by the end of the year. Either way Orbi will go back.Apple Homekit works just fine on Orbi devices provided everything is configured correctly. Apple should have setup and configuration information available.
Your "I" device has to be on IOS13+ and connected to your Orbi device. Some older devices may not work.
What are you using for a Home Hub?
What are you trying to connect your Orbi device to, such as ISP ONT, modem/router, your device, etc., and is it up and running in NAT mode?
FYI it really doesn't matter to the volunteers here, when someone threatens to return their product, because they are having a problem and are unhappy. Everyone here volunteers to help, with the exception of a few reps.
Sometimes, if an end user is stuck, it's better to hire a professional to set it up correctly, because most of the time configuration errors are caused by the user or their devices.
It seems you don't understand the request, which is that Orbi/Netgear should add HomeKit Router support to Orbi. This doesn't mean they don't already work with HomeKit devices. It just means that Orbi hasn't made their routers HomeKit Routers which would give HomeKit deployments added levels of security and control when HomeKit devices are added to a HomeKit enabled router.
As for returning my Orbi setups, yes it does matter, it becomes an issue for Netgear as they have to deal with either returns or lost sales as a consequence of not improving their product to compete with others that offer features customers want. That Llinksys recently announced they will upgrade their routers including their pre WiFi6 routers, to be HomeKit enabled, means more options. Returns are an economic hit to any company which not only lose revenue, they incur additoinal costs, and impaired revenue recovery. While this doesn't affect volunteers like you, it's a cost to Netgear for lack of action.
