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Difference Between Netgenie app and Browser Config
Why do I need the Netgear Genie app? What does it provide that the browser config tool does not? Thanks!
There is basically 3 ways to configure the router with 'apps':
- Using a Browser and going to the URL of the GATEWAY IP Address or use ROUTERLOGIN.NET/COM.
- The Netgear Genie App for Android, Apple, and Windows.
- The Nighthawk app from Apple and Android store.
The first one has all the bells and whistles on would need to set up the router. USB for instance can't be set up on the other 2. Many more settings can be changes. Log can be enabled and viewed.
The 2nd and 3rd are 'similar' but the Genie app appears to have more capability, such and seeing the READYSHARE device and even playing media that might be on it.
The last one seems to have something Genie does not, the ability to actually set up the router. I got a new R8000 and the sticker says to run Nighthawk and continue setting up the router... A change in that NG had always said set it up using a wired connection although the MANUAL for the R8000 does says use GENIE to do it?
In any case, want COMPLETE control, open a browser and go to the URL of the gateway and you can do everything. The other 2 are more (in my estimation) for 'viewing' the status and make quick changes if need be and both can reboot the router remotely like the Browser can.
lulup wrote:
Why do I need the Netgear Genie app?
It depends on which Netgear Genie app you have in mind. One thing not mentioned so far is that the Android (and perhaps iThing) app allow you to use remote access. You can get into, and control, your router from afar.
The local (desktop) app also has a few toys that you don't get with the browser interface, such as the opportunity to see when something has joined the network.
In general, isn't choice a good thing?
Then there is the Nighthawk app....
michaelkenward wrote:In general, isn't choice a good thing?
Yes - however I would prefer a single one that properly works for any use case. Ideally not an App or Application - just a decent, modern, easy to use Web UI would do the job for most. Anything else does cause confusion and more. Remote access is a valuable addition I must admit - with the help of ReadyCloud technology in place someting with a Web portal is the way to go. On the (known broken or at least massively limited) LPC I won't waste any more bytes.