Feature Request: Block or allow individual devices based on time schedule

I've got 4 kids, and I'm finding this very frustrating not being able to set time in which the kids can't access the internet.

I have however come up with a half work around, in that I setup access control and set to block all the kids devices. Then I use the netgear phone app and simple turn on access control at the time I want them to stop being able to access the internet. Works a treat. Only problem is that I have to remember in the morning to turn it back off again.

Now if I could only turn that option on and off programmatically, i could write my own script and use windows scheduler to perform the timing. 

Even better, if I could block an individual device programmatically I could set up a small DB that stores each individuals timings.

Even better I could probably set something up that basis the access on how much time they device has been on during the day.

But I simply can't find a way to connect to the router programmatically. So if that was fixed I would gladly write something and give it to Netgear to put part of there software suite.

No pcsteyn not solved by Netgear and I contacted Netgear a few months ago and they have no plans in the works to add it into the router which I agree should be part of it it anyway, and no I would not buy another one.

>>>!!!! NOT SOLVED !!!!<<<

Circle is NOT the answer nor solution! At $100 extra for a feature that should be included in a $200+ router this is not a solution. All other major routers include this feature. Depending on a 3rd party solution ads cost, time and uneccesary complexity. 

I bought this router with DST to simplify my wireless setup. What it is doing now is adding cost AND complexity. In essence I lost $200+ because I have to replace it before the school year begins.

Being in IT tech support I cannot recommend Netgear and steer customers (and friends) to D-Link, Linksys and ASUS.

>>> SOLVED <<< This is the answer https://meetcircle.com/

Circle with Disney, I have been using it for over a year but fairly recently they also included a schedule to the many other features it already has. BUT do this work around, set up a profile for each device you want to track and control and assign the profile/users device as whatever it is you are setting up. For instance my kids have multiple devices iPad, IPhone and or Xbox so let’s say your son John has an iPhone and iPad and an Xbox you can only assign one device per user and sometimes different people use each device. If it were me I would first set up a profile for John and assign the iPhone as John's device (it is not difficult at all to set this up really) and I would make a profile for the Xbox and assign the Xbox as the device for that profile etc. You can track total hours spent online, set different levels of control based on kids, teens, adults etc. what apps they can and cannot use and for how long and so much more. Check out the web site for details.

I too would like to bump the request for true (time based and individual by MAC) access control.  It's ridiculous that a high end router at this price point doesn't have this feature included.  Also, for the OpenDNS parental control, it's an all or nothing.  It would be ideal for the access control to also allow selecting OpenDNS (restricted) or regular (unrestricted) DNS.

Another vote for this. I just got my new R8000 setup and was surprised to find this really basic feature was missing. Please add it ASAP. It seems silly to put my six year old Linksys back as my main router and use the R8000 as nothing but an access point.

For those still struggling with this.  Here is another thought and option which you can do. ..... which is what I will end up doing.  If you are like me you probably have a really really good old router laying around but you needed the better wifi and that is the only reason you got into this netgear.  

This idea will, should fix it up for you up until you figure out a way to get out of the netgear.

- Use a dlink (or other) as the dhcp server that has all the access controls and scheduling features you need.

- Use your netgear as wifi access point only, so you have the high speed wifi.

Get a cheap or use your old cheap gigabit rated DLINK or some other good router that has all the access control features you want.  For this you don't care at all about the wifi ratings of the router.  You will use the dlink as your main dhcp router/server, and the netgear will only be the wifi inpoint.  

1. Set your netgear as a wifi acces point only, disable the dhcp on the netgear.  Disable anyt and all access or filtering features.

2. Disable the wifi on the dlink.  

3. Enable the dhcp server on the dlink.  This will be your actual "network" router.

4. plug the netgear into a gigabit Lan port on the dlink.  

5. plug the other end into a gigabit Lan port on the netgear.  

6. Plug your ISP into the wan port on the dlink.

7. Turn everything on and configure your network, filtering, schedules, accesses -- all on the dlink.

Done and done.  Your IP addressing and access controls are all done now by the dlink and you can enjoy having control over your network.  Your netgear now only provides the high speed wifi access point, it does no control or filtering.  it is only a high speed radio.  Easy.

It is a workaround.  Yes.  But for those like me who made the mistake of getting a netgear, at least this way you can realize the high speed wifi feature and not be limited by the other shortcomings.

Please add a mac based scheduled access blocking to the device. I cannot recommend this router without an easy way to do **bleep**. Look at D-Link if you need an example.

I had this scheduling feature in my DLINK Extreme router.  I absolutely LOVED it.  It was easy to setup and very effective at access control for certain devices at certain times.  Specifically for limiting and controlling my kids iPods iPads and phones access to reasonable and acceptable hours of the day.   It was simple, input the MAC address of the device.  Set the acces shedule for that MAC address.  Save, and done.

When I moved to a NetGear R6400 I have to say that I was promptly disappointed.  This new router is physically huge in comparison to my old one.  The wifi signal isn't any stronger.  Throughput is definitely better though, probably only because this new one is AC, and we have a multitude of devices connected to it.   HOWEVER,  a big huge gargantuan disappointment in the firmware/software features in this router as compared to my DLINK ones.   If this can't be improved, and soon, through a firmware update.  I will simply replace this by going BACK to the 10 year old slower DLINK just because of the size and the software.    Netgear has good hardware which "may" be better than DLINK.     DLINK has the controller/parent software that is WAY BETTER than Netgear.

So, I am going to make suggestion, which is admittedly biased based on my experience.  

    a)  If you want fantastic and easy parental and device access controls --> go get a DLINK.  

    b) If you don't have a household to monitor and actively parent (or you just don't care), and you want a monster big black box with raw power and minimal software features --> go get a NetGear.

By the way.  The "Live Parental Controls" and "NetGenie" things are absolute joke and are archeaic compared to the DLINK features.  NetGenie and the NetGear blocking just don't work.  You get it all setup and turned on.  Then go do some surfing testing and are amazed at how everything still works and is accessed with no blocking on at all.  

The core OPENDNS is great and everyone needs to know that you can use OPENDNS completely separately from your NetGear router.  You can setup and use a free OPENDNS account with any router or computer or device that you have.  Just go to the opendns website.  All you do is put the OPENDNS server address into your router/computer/device DNS server settings, works on ANYthing.  There is no magic to this and there is no glorious netgear exclusive feature to this.

FINALLY a real and honest answer from Netgear!!!

"Thank you for the screen shot.
I understand the feature that you want to configure. However, the NETGEAR router does not have the same feature as the DLink router. We do not have the information if the said feature will be available in the future firmware release. As of now, only the Parental Controls is the feature that can block devices at specific time.
Again, thank you for choosing NETGEAR.
Regards,
NETGEAR Support Expert  "