How to Manage network devices

1 Network know–how

Most routers provide an app that allows you to adjust various settings. The features in these apps can vary quite a lot, but they generally start by giving you an overview of all the devices that are currently connected to your network.

2 Take back control

You can control individual devices, perhaps blocking devices you don’t recognize, or pausing the kids’ internet at dinner time. Some apps provide filters to block unsuitable material — but watch out for additional subscription fees here.

3 Day by day

Another really useful feature

— but not found in all apps — is the ability to create daily or weekly schedules to control your kids’ internet access. That way you can make sure they’re not on Instagram or TikTok all night long.

4 Test and trace

The Linksys router here has a good app, which includes a speed test to check your Wi–Fi performance. It can even monitor the Wi–Fi channels being used by nearby networks and suggest which channels will work best for you.

5 Game on!

Some activities, such as gaming or streaming video, need a really fast connection. Many apps allow you to give priority to specific tasks — or to individual devices, such as a games console — so that they get the best possible speeds.

6 Browser interface

The apps provided with most routers tend to be fairly basic. To find additional controls you may be able to use a web browser to log directly in to your router’s advanced interface (check the router’s manual to find this option).

7 Dual bands

Some routers merge the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands into a single network — which means you can’t choose which band you connect to. However, this interface allows you to create two separate networks on those bands.

8 Wi–Fi Assist

If your Wi–Fi is really unreliable, you can use “Wi-Fi Assist” on your iPhone (or iPad with mobile broadband), to automatically switch to mobile broadband. Go to Settings/Mobile Data and scroll right down to find this option.

9 Personal hotspot

In emergencies, you can use your iPhone’s mobile broadband to create a “personal hotspot” that acts as a temporary Wi–Fi network. These last two options both use mobile broadband, so watch out for extra charges!