Can device on Family Wi-Fi access Guest Wi-Fi

[graffixx]

I recently set up Family Wi-Fi and created a group called "Kids" and added all the kids' devices in this group.  I set up a schedule so that they can not go online at night (during bedtime).  I also have a Guest Wi-Fi setup.

Can my kids sneak around and connect to the Guest Wi-Fi so they can get online at night? 

Or does Family Wi-Fi restrict by MAC addresses and therefore prevent Internet access regardless of what network these devices are connected to?

[olavrb]

Can you add devices on the guest network to  family wifi? I don't think so.

Guest Wi-Fi is a different network name (SSID) and password. Don't share that password with your kids,and you should be good.

---

A bigger issue with family wifi is MAC randomization, a privacy related feature of newer OSes (Android, iOS, Windows), which makes it look like a new/different device connects to your Nest Wifi.

Both the Family Wi-Fi/parental control and the pausing functionality has been broken by design ever since MAC randomization became a thing years ago. More on MAC randomization from:

• Apple: [1] https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/security/secb9cb3140c/web, [2] https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211227
• Google / Android: https://source.android.com/docs/core/connect/wifi-mac-randomization-behavior
• Microsoft Windows: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ac58de34-35fc-31ff-c650-823fc48eb1bc

You should probably look at controlling access on a different level, for instance the device itself. With products like:

• Apple screen time: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/ipad/ipadb15cb886/ipados
• Google Family Link: https://families.google.com/familylink
• Microsoft Family Safety: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/family-safety

[graffixx]

---

@olavrb wrote:

Can you add devices on the guest network to  family wifi? I don't think so.

No, I was asking if devices in family Wi-Fi can be bypassed by connecting to the Guess Wi-Fi network.

[olavrb]

Pretty sure family wifi does not work on the guest wifi network/SSID. But that should be an easy thing to test, right?

[AbigailF]

Hey folks, 

Thanks for lending a hand, @olavrb.
@graffixx, I wanted to follow up and see if you are still in need of any help. Please let me know if you are still having any concerns or questions from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Thanks,
Abi

[Dan_A]

Hey there,

I'm chiming in to ensure you've got the answer you're looking for. Feel free to let us know if you have more questions about this.

Regards,

Dan

[Dan_A]

Hello again,

We haven't heard from you in a while so we'll be locking this thread if there is no update within 24 hours. If you need assistance or want to discuss topics, feel free to start a new thread.
 

Cheers,

Dan