Re: How can I use parental controls an Orbi without purchasing a subscription

ckosloski · ‎2019-09-02

I just purchased an Orbi today and it seems like it's not possible to setup an internet scheduler per device without paying a subscription on top of all the money I just spent.

Is that correct?

CrimpOn · ‎2019-09-02

I believe you are correct. Having no minors to protect, I have not looked at Parental Controls. No idea if any of the other mesh systems do any better than Orbi.

michaelkenward · ‎2019-09-03

The Orbi manual implies that you can also use the free parental controls system through OpenDNS.

There is support for the Orbi WiFi System, including a manual, somewhere at the end of this link:

>>>> Orbi RBK50 | WiFi System | NETGEAR Support <<<<

Ignore the model number, it is a generic manual for all Orbis.

See the section Set Up Parental Controls.

The manual maintains that you can use the Netgear genie app to control this on a mobile. Recent changes may mean that you actually have to do this on a PC.

ckosloski · ‎2019-09-03

I was looking into OpenDNS. From what I could find, you had to use the Genie app to configure it, which apparently is no longer supported.

When you go to the download page, it seems like it tries to force you to download the new Orbi app.

If you close the app popup and scroll to the bottom of the page, you can download the Genie app. So now I was able to setup parental controls. Now to figure out hot to limit the internet time by device.

michaelkenward · ‎2019-09-03

There is also the direct way in:

https://netgear.opendns.com/sign_in.php

michaelkenward · ‎2019-09-03

@michaelkenward wrote:

There is also the direct way in:

https://netgear.opendns.com/sign_in.php

I forgot to add that this might also work in a browser on a mobile device.

In that way you might be able to get around Netgear's obstructive crippling of the apps.