Connect your devices using Compatible WiFi

Learn how you can connect all the devices in your home using Compatible WiFi. This provides your home devices with stable access to your WiFi connection. In cases where you are unable to connect with the main WiFi network.

What is Compatible WiFi?

EE’s latest Smart Hubs use newer WiFi technology. Most devices will connect without any problems, but some older devices may not.

You may need to connect to Compatible WiFi when your device:

  • can’t find your main WiFi network
  • keeps failing during setup, even with the correct password
  • disconnects often or won’t stay connected
  • is a smart home device that only works on 2.4GHz.

This includes devices such as:

  • smartphones
  • tablets
  • laptops
  • printers
  • smart bulbs
  • smart doorbells
  • smart cameras.

Compatible WiFi is a second WiFi network from your hub and uses a different type of signal - 2.4GHz - that older devices can understand more easily. It may be slightly slower than your main Wi‑Fi, but it makes sure more devices can stay connected.

You can use your main WiFi and Compatible WiFi at the same time. All your devices still work together, so you can control your smart devices no matter which network they are using.

Find out if your Smart Hub supports Compatible WiFi.

Setup and use Compatible WiFi

Compatible WiFi can be turned on in the EE app. If you don't have access to the app you can also follow the steps in the section below to enable Compatible WiFi using the Hub Manager.

Turn on Compatible WiFi in the EE app

  1. Open the EE app
  2. Select Manage
  3. Select Broadband.
  4. If you haven’t yet paired the app to your hub, follow the onscreen instructions to set up WiFi Controls.
  5. Expand the WiFi networks section
    Image of WiFi networks screen
  6. Toggle the switch to  turn on Compatible WiFi .
  7. Enter a WiFi network name and password 
  8. Select Confirm. 
    Once confirmed, there may be a short interruption to your WiFi connection. Your devices should reconnect within a couple of minutes.
  9. Select Okay on the information screen

    Image of warning screen
  10. You should now be able to see your Compatible WiFi network when scanning for available networks on your device. 
  11. You can connect to the network using the password you set up.

Turn on Compatible WiFi using the Hub Manager

  1. Open a web browser and enter 192.168.1.254 into the address bar.
  2. Accept the Secure Connection warning. For help with this step, see Security warning when accessing the Hub Manager.

  3. Select Advanced Settings.
  4. Select Wireless.
  5. Enter your hub’s admin password. You’ll find this on the pull-out card on the back of your hub. 
  6. Select OK.
  7. Select Wireless.
  8. Select Compatible WiFi. 
  9. Toggle Compatible WiFi to on

    Image of Compatible WiFi settings screen
  10. Enter your WiFi network name and password.
  11. Select Save.
    When selecting Save, there may be a brief interruption in your WiFi connection. Your devices should reconnect within a minute or two.

    Image of disconnect warning screen
  12. Select Yes from the information screen shown.
  13. You’ll also find an option in the Hub Manager to enable the 5GHz band for the Compatible WiFi network. This may improve WiFi performance, but may cause connectivity problems for other non-5GHz devices that you have connected to the Compatible WiFi network.

    Image of toggle swicth for 5GHz compatibility
  14. You should now be able to see your Compatible WiFi network when scanning for available networks on your device. 
  15. Connect to the network using the password you set up.

If you're still experiencing problems connecting your WiFi devices to your hub then see help connecting devices to your hub.

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