Linksys HomeWRK The Linksys HomeWRK app is the control center for a new kind of WiFi for remote and hybrid workers. Linksys and Fortinet have teamed up to offer a remote, turn-key firewall networking solution. Access the Linksys HomeWRK app anywhere you have an internet connection to manage your personal home WiFi. Check connected devices, set up guest access, or tinker with web content filters. You can also turn ON and OFF the work WiFi networks managed by your employer. KEY FEATURES Remote access – All you need is the internet. Home screen – Your WiFi's vital stats on one page. Guest network – Give friends internet access but keep personal data secure. Anti-virus - Be proactive against network threats and malicious sites. Web content filtering – Protect your family's online life by blocking unwanted content.
Why?
There no information or visualizations the differentiate this product from their default Linksys configuration app. My Wi-Fi is all setup, but to use this app I’m funneled through a workflow to re setup my Wi-Fi networks. Why? I’m an engineer, I get what the goal of this app is. But why the hurdles? Or worse, why is there no explanation for the hurdles? I’m certain my use case is the norm here, to an extent. Unless folks are getting Linksys Wi-Fi hardware from their work and are following directive for setup, almost everyone is going to be working with an existing Wi-Fi setup. So the binary approach of “Set Up Wi-Fi” and “Logout” on app load just seem extremely lazy and without any forethought. I’ve dug through all of the (little) faq info their is, and nothing explains any of this. Ironically, I am connected to my Linksys network the entire time I struggle to figure this app out. At first I thought I was dumb, but no, it’s the app. This app is very dumb (not in a ridiculing way, but in a literal, nonsensical way. I do not see a reason for this app to exist at all. I can _imagine_ why. But there’s no information that tells me if my instinct on the features are correct. Instead I have two options. Set up Wi-Fi (ie, re setup the network I am on) Or Log Out PLEASE put some effort into the UX of this app. It can be a great and useful tool. But I can’t imagine you’ve got more than a tiny user base. Fix the things I mentioned and that will change.
Works, Kind of.
If I’m home and connected to WiFi I can provide the router password and get into the app - most of the time. Otherwise, entering email and password I’m unchangingly asked to Add a new router to existing or create a new network. To be clear, my network is set up and works exceptionally well. The Add.. target doesn’t respond. I contacted Linksys help chat and was asked several questions, seemed like they were more rehearsed fixing network problems and didn’t really know about the app. I tried all of the tricks to revalidate my account without success: All I get is a spinning circle so I expect the problem is in that (validate email/ account) aspect. I asked support chat about deleting my account and app but they said they couldn’t delete my account. I have deleted and reinstalled several times without change. There is another app, HomeWRK, that looks like it has more features I could use but I’ll leave comments for that app there. Addendum: The above is from a review I left for the Linksys Utilities app. Why it’s showing up for the HomeWRK app is curious. I initially downloaded the HomeWRK app to install my network: QRCode capture never found my router. Downloaded Linksys Utilities app and got the network setup but the app, for me, is hinky.
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