Cannot download Nighthawk because it needs a WiFi connection

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ChrisCrawford wrote:

My Netgear Nighthawk X6S died, so I bought a new AX5400. I attempted to set it up, but ran into a brick wall. Apparently this router cannot be set up without using the Nighthawk app on my iPhone.

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Contrary to the exhortations from Netgear, I have yet to come across a Netgear router that cannot be set up with an Ethernet connection. It is the only way that many of use would consider doing that.

You can even use a mobile device without the app to set up and manage things. If you can connect to the wifi from a router – perhaps using the default SSID and password on the label –  you can aim the browser on your mobile at the usual addresses that microchip8 suggested.

Let's start with your device, which AX5400 did you buy?

AX5400 is not a unique Netgear model number. Many devices come with the AC/AX tag, but it is essentially a label that Netgear, and others, attach to hardware to describe wifi speeds.

Look at the label on the device for the Model Number. And, if there is one, include the "V" bit to show the hardware version. If there is no V number, then you have V1.

Then dig out the manual. Visit the support pages:

Support | NETGEAR

Feed in your model number and check the documentation for your hardware.

Check the sections in the manual

Use a web browser to access the router

and

Manually set up the Internet connection

There may also be some helpful videos on what to do.

You may have done that already. I can't tell from your message.

I mention it because Netgear gave up on supplying paper manuals and CD versions some years ago and people sometimes miss the downloads.

The use of the Ethernet connection gives you many more options for setting up a router. Very little demands the use of an app.