Is TP-Link Tether legit and safe?
Yes. Tether is TP-Link's official app for setting up and managing its routers and range extenders, and most reviewers use it without trouble. One reviewer objects to the push toward a cloud account and to paywalls on some features, but there is no fraud, the concerns are about data and monetization, not safety of your money.
genuine app it's good to use, fine experience from my side guys
1
reviewer mentioned this in the last 60 days
Is TP-Link Tether a scam?
No. It is the genuine TP-Link companion app. The negative reviews are about bugs, ads for other products, and features moving behind a subscription, not about the app being fake or stealing from users.
NOK for pushing on my router updated firmware that now nags me indefinitely with unremovable billboard like an ad, on local configuration pages to install this app. "Great" design choice to push you clients to use cloud, gather our data and add paywalls for different small things. So a big NO NO.
2
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Why does TP-Link Tether say "No device found" or fail to detect my router?
This is the most common recent complaint. Reviewers report the app frequently failing to find their router or extender, sometimes finding it and often not, even next to well-known TP-Link hardware. Reviewers say it is inconsistent across app versions and that the hardware itself works fine.
Absolutely terrible app. Every time I open it, it says "No device found." Even after waiting and searching for what feels like forever, it still can't detect my device. Sometimes it finds the device, but most of the time it doesn't. I've never seen such an unreliable app from a company as well-known as TP-Link. The hardware may be good, but the app is completely inconsistent and frustrating to use. This seriously needs to be fixed.
2
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Do I have to pay a subscription for parental controls in TP-Link Tether?
Reviewers report that fuller parental-control features, such as time limits, now require a paid HomeShield subscription, and several who pay say the features are still buggy, profiles disappear and time limits do not take effect after updating. If parental controls matter to you, check what your specific router model includes for free.
why do I have to pay a subscription for parental controls? find a router that supports openWRT.
5
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Why does TP-Link Tether make me log in every time?
A recurring complaint is the app forcing a username-and-password login each time it is opened or switched to, with a few reviewers reporting a two-hour lockout after a failed attempt even with the correct password. Reviewers describe this as new and unfixed.
Every time I need to put my username and password to login. Please fix it!
3
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Why doesn't blocking a device in TP-Link Tether actually block it?
Some reviewers, particularly on newer routers that open a browser-based interface, report that blocking a device does not stop its internet access, that connected-device information is wrong or shows "Unknown", and that results change on each refresh. There is also no allow-list, only a block list.
the new routers opens the App interface on browser. it is the most pathetic version. it does not show correct information of connected devices. defferent result at every refresh. most of the time, device name which is connected is "Unknown". Event you block a device, the internet works on it. parental controls also not work. UI is confusing and not intuitive. Why is it failing while doing simple functions.
1
reviewer mentioned this in the last 60 days
Did the latest TP-Link Tether update break the app?
An August 2026 update drew several reports of the app failing to re-enable Wi-Fi, and of SmartConnect wiping saved settings and forcing a new SSID and password instead of re-applying the existing ones. The workaround reviewers describe is to force close the app and clear its cache.
FC & Clear app Cache if not working Aug 1 2026: last update broke the app. App wont reenable wifi. SmartConnect blanks out all the settings, forces all new SSID and password, instead of simply renabling the existing ssid and password. Force Closed, Cleared Cache, now it works.
1
reviewer mentioned this in the last 60 days
Answers above are generated from real Google Play reviews of TP-Link Tether, not editorial opinion.