Discontinuation of OnHub Router

[THEJimS]

I don't understand why/how the OnHub discontinuation affects me. I have set up a mesh network. The wifi comes in and connects to the on-hub router. From there I have Google AC1200 mesh routers scattered around the house. My devices connect to both the mesh and on-hub depending on where I am in the house. How will this on-hub discontinuation affect this? Just replace the on-hub with another AC1200?

Thanks.

...Jim...

[TheSuperBryant]

I'm in the same boat and trying to figure out the best path forward for me. I do have three of the mesh access points which is a little overkill for the coverage in my house just not sure if I would be better off just using one of the points I have as the main one or if I should upgrade my OnHub to one of the new nest routers.

[olavrb]

@THEJimS: I'd replace your main puck/ the OnHub with a Nest Wifi router. It will require you to factory reset your whole network and set it up from scratch though.

@TheSuperBryant: I'd try with a/ 1x Nest Wifi router only, and see if that's enough.

• More about onhub discontinuation: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/11257354?hl=en
• Hardware specs: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6280668?hl=en
• Factory reset: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6246619?hl=en
• Set up: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9548301?hl=en

[Foggerton]

Isn't that happening in December 2022? So there's no need to do anything yet. And even then, software updates won't continue, but the device itself will continue to work for some period of time. 

[nrmaharaj]

I've got a 3-point mesh with an OnHub as the router and a Google WiFi puck and another OnHub as points. 

I think the best (ie. cheapest and easiest) move for us with this mix is to make the puck the router and make OnHubs into points. No?

[coilz]

Will also like to know if switching a Google wifi puck as the main router and having the onhub as mesh points will be a viable solution post Dec 2022

[whidbey]

I'd lso like to know if switching a Google wifi puck as the main router and having the onhub as mesh points will be a viable solution post Dec 2022.  Experts, can you answer this?

[Jeff]

Hi, everyone.
Just one quick final check in here since activity has slowed down. We'll be locking the thread in the next 24 hours, but if you still need help, I would be happy to keep it open. If there's more we can do, just let me know.
Thanks.

[coilz]

So no update on if a Mixed network of Google wifi pucks + Onhubs will work post Dec 2022?

[nrmaharaj]

Hi Jeff. One thing you could do is confirm that a network configuration with OnHubs as mesh points with a Google Wifi AC1200 will continue to work past the end of the year.

[Jeff]

Hey, all.

So here's what I'm finding on the OnHub answer. OnHub will be able to continue to provide a WiFi signal, but it won't be manageable by the app. Essentially you will need to have it set up and running before that cutoff. As for being able to add it as an additional WiFi point beyond the cutoff date in December, it won't be possible to add because it won't be manageable in the Home app in any way. If you upgrade to Google or Nest WiFi at the cutoff and try to add the OnHub as WiFi points, it's not going to work.

Thanks.

[coilz]

Thanks for the clarification Jeff. To following up with one more question, if we were to setup, before December 2022 cut off,  Google wifi puck as main router with Onhub as mesh points, will we be able to manage the setup?  Or is any combination that involves an onhub unmanageable post December 2022?  I understand setting up/adding Onhub Post Dec 2022 is not possible. I think most of us is just trying to find a way to keep the setup manageable without changing totally to a new setup.

If Google people actually read this, I think most of us just want the ability 1) See status of network 2) to reboot the onhub mesh network, 3) ability to change SSID/passkey from the app.  Other functions like speed test, port forwarding and more advanced settings most of us won't really miss.

[Jeff]

Hey, coilz.
I can seek some clarification to be sure, but as far as I understand, even if the devices are set up before the cutoff, they still won't be manageable in the app but will continue to function with a WiFi signal. I'll seek some exact details on that, however.

Thanks.

[aliado]

Google launch onhub for USD 200.00, which means (even today) was a expensive gadget. I bought 2 equipments, in a 400 dollars investment. Only seven years later, I will not be able to set it up if I need it. Just like paying 57 dollars per year to have nothing at the end. First tought: google will do the same thing with these routers we will bought today.

Second tought: google competitors are not doing the same. You can have a 7/8yo netgear mesh router and still use it, no issues.

Resuming, It is an absurd what google is doing. I really understand the lack of support after 7 years, or uncompatibility with new gadgets (as nest wifi), but blocking all management control??? What would cost to google keep the old onhub app active or the old google wifi active, in order to keep these routers working? Or to create a IP simple website to able the consumer to make all management settings???

I used to have a router which I could manage by ethernet cable, to change password (for example). Now, these onhub routers will be working till you need to do something, anything: if you need to reconfigure network or change password, you will not be able to do it. This is a simple and expensive ROUTER, that google decided we, people pay money to buy it, will not be able to use it again.

#scheduledobsolescence

[Jeff]

Hey, aliado.

I understand your frustration with the end of life moment coming up with OnHub. While there can be many reasons why a product is no longer going to be supported (security reasons, technology obsolescence, compatibility issues, etc.), eventually standards shift in the WiFi world that force the cutoff of certain products. I do see why you are upset by the process and I can pass that feedback onto our teams here. I do appreciate what you're saying. If there's anything else I can do for you, let me know.

Thanks.

[aliado]

Hey Jeff, thank you for your answer. I hope the teams can solve this issue, because when I bought it google sell some ideas not delivered. For example:

"NEXT-GEN CAPABLE
OnHub can support the next generation of smart devices, thanks to built-in smart-home tech like Bluetooth Smart Ready, 802.15.4, and Weave".

So, this next generation did not came yet, how could OnHub be obsolete? When we compare specifications of OnHub, Google WiFi, and Nest WiFi, there are not any big gap between. OnHub even have more storage, ram memory, antennas, and other things.

I thing google should be transparent to his consumers, because it seems to be the need of selling new gadgets (your mkt managers could have done better than sending an email about "OnHub is out" + "ways to discard" + "bonus to buy a new google"). Or, it could be some kind of contract issue between TPLink, Asus and Google.

Netgear routers are working with specifications way worst than OnHub, and nothing about obsolete is spoken there. And this is FIRST TIME in ROUTER business some gadget software is TAKEN OUT of the OWNERS. Not even some rudimentar option is available? 

Sometimes companies take some decisions, just like selling a gadget for only a year and replace ir for something new, just like google did with OnHub, launching Google Wifi 1gen. But if it is too expensive to sustain a OnHub team, they do not have to put the price of their business choices over consumer SHOULDERS.

Owh, but google offer a 40% discount! No, this is not true: all costumers, OnHub owners or not, can buy the nest wifi for 189 dollars (2 units), and the coupon google sent me got me a 169 dollars offer - so, 10% to 12% discount. Let's be honest.

And second, the offer is not valid in my country, so here I would have to spent 150 dollars EACH units, with no discount provided by google: 300 dollars for a 1gen wifi, which will work TILL....... nobody nows.

It is not only about money or trust, is about legacy: we are not so much OnHub consumers at all. But I was (past tense) a Google fan: 2 OnHub, 1 Google Wifi 1gen, 3 chromecast, 1 pixelbook, 1 home mini, and 1 home hub. All using google accounts, and other gadgets with some google onboard, as Android TV (3 gadgets), android phones (4 gadgets, as I bought for my family), two more chromebooks (samsung and dell), a nexus tablet and a LG android tablet...

Now I am realizing: why chosing google, if they do the hardware and software and we get no advantage?

Jeff, sorry to write something so big to you, but this is all of the context that made me realize why Apple have so many fans, and maybe, how stupid I was being a google fan all of these years.

[Jeff]

Hey, everyone.
It looks like we've slowed down here again. We'll be closing up the thread unless anyone else has any input or needs anything else. If so, just let me know and we can keep this open a bit longer.
Thanks.

[Jeff]

Hi, aliado.

I understand your frustration, especially with the discount offer not applying to your country. I'll pass your suggestions and concerns along to our teams. I'm sorry that the resolution here isn't one that works for you. Hopefully with the option you choose going forward that you'll have a satisfying experience.

Thanks.

[Jeff]

Hi, all.

I'm going to go ahead and close up the thread. If anyone needs anything else, please feel free to open up a new thread.

Thanks.