When you are logged in to the router, under basic, if you click on parental controls it takes you to a new tab/page with a stupid outdated video telling you to get the Genie app for your desktop. Genie has been retired, so has circle, at least for my model. It seems they want everything to go through the nighthawk app. Why oh why, would I want to get out my phone, and do something on an app, when I already have a browser window open on my desktop with the router interface loaded up and logged in? Even IF I was ok with this backwards way of managing my router, there is no parental control option on the nighthawk app. So how do you fix this? Apparently even Netgeart themsevles are a bit confused on how to do this, everything I find just seems to send me in circles like a dog chasing its tail. I see some older discusssions where folks say get the circle or genie app but that isn't an option for my model of router. Considering Netgear touts the nighthawk so highly, this is really dropping the ball on their part.
What sort of "parental controls" are you looking for?
Well, I expected any parental control, even basic. Every router that I've had so far had this, even the cheapest ones (for instance block internet for specific user at a specific time, or limit some website access for specific users), obviously not the Netgear crap. I cannot believe that they expect me to purchase a 100usd-per-year subscription on a 200usd product, and this from Disney!
I regret purchasing my router from Netgear. And will never purchase any Netgear product again, that's a fact.
The Nighthawk App does support parental controls. So that first statement is puzzling. That you don't want to pay for it is understandable, but the app certainly supports it.
Every router that I've had so far had this, even the cheapest ones (for instance block internet for specific user at a specific time, or limit some website access for specific users), obviously not the Netgear crap.
It isn't clear to me what you want to do, but some of that is there in the router's controls. It just isn't called "parental controls".
The "so far" bit may be the problem. Netgear is steadily shutting down these "free" services as it joins the rush to rent us hardware and to charge us to use it.
From what you say, other brands aren't quite as rapacious.
