NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Solved
Netgear stated firmware to be released to fix inability to work with iOS Private Relay
Netgear published an article, located at https://kb.netgear.com/000065057/The-Nighthawk-or-Orbi-app-on-my-Apple-iOS-device-only-connects-to-my-router-or-mesh-system-with-Anywhere-Access-What-can-I-do. In this article, Netgear stated "NETGEAR is planning to release Nighthawk and Orbi app updates that enable compatibility with Apple's new privacy features. Until we release the updates, we recommend that you disable the Private Relay and Limit IP Address Tracking features for all iOS 15 devices on your home network.
Not sure when Netgear published this document as I don't see a date on the site. I would like to know when this will be available for the RBR40 (and others as well). I really hate having to remember, and actually modify settings, every time I go out to turn Private Relay on and then come home to find out that my Orbi is blocking me because I have Private Relay turned on.
Is Netgear going to do what they said they will do or do I need to find another Mesh system to work with Private Relay? If I need to move to the competition, which mesh systems work with Private Relay "ON"?
Fixed I believe is a different MAC address that differs from the actual HW MAC address that is burned in to devices and would be as safe to use as randomizer is. This seems to stay unchanging and limits what other devices seen when connected using Fixed. This seems to be Apple attempt to help with some issues seen when using the randomizer that changes the MAC address every so often. So you could use this while at home as well if you feel that randomizer may cause problems.
I feel that most NG routers are handling the randomizer ok now days, users just need to be aware if odd issue they may see with it enabled and router may not indicate what these devices are when the randomizer is enabled and connected. As we see "unknown" for a device name rather than the actual device name. MAC Filters rely on static unchanging MAC addresses to make filtering work so no, having randomizers enabled would not work well for MAC Filtering. That would be the nature of the beast. Why I leave mine disabled and my choice. I don't do lots of traveling and when I go, then I enable it at that time. You'll need to make your own choice when it comes to these features. All that's up to you. No body is force you do anything. Features are there in Apple devices. Up to you to use them or not.
Any more details, contact Apple regarding there products and features. They'll have the best information to provide.
It maybe possible that with the older AC series, since it's EoL, FW may not handle the newer generation iOS features and no work well with randomizers enabled. Not sure if this is a FW issue or combined FW and iOS issue as well. I just had a 50 series online for a few days last month, did not see any log in issues with either Apple iOS 18 or Android devices having randomizers enabled.
Furrye38, I apologize and you are correct. I misstated using Private Relay and the issue is Private WiFi Address. I do keep it Private WiFi turned OFF.
What is different in using Fixed versus Off?
My frustration is users shouldn't be forced to remember to turn this feature on and off as they leave and return home to their LAN.
13 Replies
It appears that Netgear reloaded the entire web site on July 7, 2025 and this reset the "date" on every article to 07/07/2025. Thus, it is not possible to determine when that article was written.
The entire WiFi5 Orbi product line is now End of Life, so my guess is there will not be a firmware update for the RBR40 to address this issue.
I find the article confusing. Can you please comment on the specific problem:
i.e. Does the Orbi app connect to the router with Anywhere Access both (a) when not connected to the local network, and (b) when connected to the local network.
and thus the problem is that it is not possible to "Connect Locally" instead of using Anywhere Access?
CrimpOn, thanks for your help!
Another faux pas by Netgear with the date changes on the articles. Seems par for the course and why I am looking at other Mesh systems that seem to be more customer friendly with issues.
In answer to your question, I like the thoughts of Private Relay and masking the MAC address when I am having to access public networks. However, I use MAC addresses to block any new devices coming into my LAN so every time I approve someone, the next time they attach (iPhone users all) they are blocked. The reason is Private Relay is turned on. It is a PITA to deal with this on a regular basis when this should have been fixed, as discussed in the Netgear letter, already.
It appears that Netgear reloaded the entire web site on July 7, 2025 and this reset the "date" on every article to 07/07/2025. Thus, it is not possible to determine when that article was written.
Well, it goes back at least to 8 July 2022 per this archived article:
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230121154558/https://kb.netgear.com/000065057/The-Nighthawk-or-Orbi-app-on-my-Apple-iOS-device-only-connects-to-my-router-or-mesh-system-with-Anywhere-Access-What-can-I-do
Apple implemented a FIXED mode on there devices to better help with having Private WiFI Address fully enabled or using Random. Apple users are recommended to use this newer feature or keep Private WiFI Address feature disabled while at home and not traveling. I keep mine disabled all the time. Only enable Random when I'm traveling.
NETGEAR Mobile Applications and Android/Apple/Windows Devices FAQ | NETGEAR Communities
Users should contact Apple for furthur support, help and information regarding this feature on there products.
Good Luck.
Furrye38, thanks as usual for the response.
Actually aware of the fix Apple provided and do use it but it is frustrating that Netgear never followed through with their "promised" firmware fix per the document I referenced. It is a PITA to deal with the off/on status for Private Relay when it should have been fixed in the code. I am sure companies like Apple and Netgear talk about changes in OS and firmware but I have found Netgear to be very slow at implementing fixes now and in the past that affect millions of users.
I've never had to disable Private Relay. Only WiFI Private IP address. Haven't seen any issues to day with Private Relay being enabled all the time. Private Relay is a Apple feature, and nothing NG would be able to change.
Also there is newer iOS for apple devices that support it. My iPhone 12 Pro Max is on 18.6 currently. iOS 15 is 4 years old and by now, hopefully I would think that newer iOS versions are not effected by how NG FW operates with there Private Relay features.
Also the Orbi AC series is not EoL so you'll not see any more updates unless there is some major security issue. So use the system if it works for you and fits your needs. THere maybe some 3rd party FW providers like OpenWRT or DD-WRT that may have support for the 40 series. Something you check with them about. If not, you'll need to find something new gen at some point.
Good Luck.
