🔒 Guide 1: Setting Up Parental Controls
Parental Controls allow you to manage internet access for specific devices (like a child's phone or tablet) by scheduling access times, pausing the internet, or blocking specific websites.
- Access Parental Controls
- Open the Linksys app on your mobile device.
- Log in using your Router Password (the one you created for admin access).
- From the Dashboard, tap the Menu icon (usually three lines) in the upper-left corner.
- Tap on Parental Controls.
- Control a Specific Device
- Tap Control a device.
- Select the device you want to manage from the list of connected devices (e.g., 'Leo's Tablet').
- Choose a Restriction Type
A. Pause Internet Access (Temporary)
- Select Pause Internet Access.
- Tap Pause to immediately cut off internet access for that device.
- Tap Unpause to restore access instantly.
B. Schedule a Pause (Recurring) - Select Schedule a Pause.
- Tap Edit to set the days and times when you want the internet to be blocked (e.g., Weekdays, 10 PM to 7 AM).
- Tap Save. You can create multiple schedules for a single device.
C. Block Specific Websites - Select Block Specific Websites.
- Enter the full website address you wish to block (e.g., www.badsite.com).
- Note: You can typically add up to 10 specific websites. Blocking sites that use https:// (which is most sites) may show a generic browser error instead of a block page, but the access will still be prevented.
- Tap Save.
Important Note: Parental Controls only work when the device is connected to your home Wi-Fi. If the device switches to mobile data (4G/5G), the controls will not apply.
🚀 Guide 2: Setting Up Device Priority (QoS)
Device Priority (also known as Quality of Service, or QoS) allows you to designate up to three devices that will receive priority bandwidth over all others. This is essential for activities like competitive online gaming or important video calls.
- Access the Priority Menu
- Open the Linksys app and log in.
- Tap the Menu icon (three lines) in the upper-left corner.
- Tap on Priority.
- Choose Your Priority Method
You can choose to prioritize by Video Calls (automatically boosting apps like Zoom/Teams) or By Device. You can only use one method at a time.
A. Prioritize by Device
- Select By device.
- Tap Add a Device.
- Select up to three devices from the list (e.g., your work laptop, your main streaming box, or your gaming console).
- Tap Save or Done.
- These devices will now be placed at the front of the queue, ensuring they get the bandwidth they need even when the network is busy.
B. Prioritize Video Calls
- These devices will now be placed at the front of the queue, ensuring they get the bandwidth they need even when the network is busy.
- Select Video Calls.
- Toggle the feature ON.
- This will automatically detect when a device on your network starts a Zoom or Microsoft Teams call and prioritize the traffic for the duration of the call.
- Disable Priority
- To turn off Device Priority, simply go back to the Priority menu and toggle the setting OFF. It's best practice to remove devices from the priority list before disabling the feature.
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