How to Restrict Wi-Fi Using Freedom App, Netgear or Eero Router

The internet, weird and wonderful, capturing our attention for hours and hours. But if you’ve landed on this page, then you’re here to find out how to stop that from happening.

In this article we’ll take you through the steps on how to restrict Wi-Fi internet access at certain times of the day, so you and your family can get a proper night’s sleep.

Let’s get into it.

Freedom – Available on Android, IOS, PC, and Mac

Up first is the Freedom app. As stated above, this app can be installed on various devices so the steps may vary depending on the device. Follow these steps to restrict Wi-Fi using the mobile app:

1. Open the app and access the Blocklists tab at the bottom.
2. Here, tap on the option to Add a New Blocklist.
3. You may be asked to add apps to the blocklist, you can ignore this and tap the continue option.
4. On the Create a Blocklist page, give the blocklist a name.
5. A switch will be available on this page, reading Block All Internet on Device. Tap this to switch it on.

6. Then tap the Start Session tab at the bottom, followed by the Recurring option at the top. Here, you can create a new session schedule.
7. Finally, add in the blocklist created earlier, set the time range for the blocking effect and then press the Create Recurring Session button.

Please be aware this method of restricting access to Wi-Fi also restricts cellular internet access, so all internet access will be restricted at the time range specified on your mobile device.

Pros of restricting Wi-Fi using the Freedom app:

• Freedom is a cross-platform app allowing users to manage multiple devices from the dashboard after the initial setup.
• It can be used to block any Wi-Fi, in or out of the home e.g. The local cafe Wi-Fi.
• Blocks all internet including cellular internet access and not just Wi-Fi, enforcing internet restriction.
• Allows multiple sessions to be created, meaning different time ranges can be made instead of one. With this you can also set different time ranges for different people e.g. Your 15-year-old child may get an extra hour than your 11-year-old.

Cons of restricting Wi-Fi using the Freedom app:

• Requires setup on individual devices.
• Comes at a yearly or monthly subscription cost for access to all premium features, but can be bought outright also.
• If device settings are not restricted, users may be able to override the app’s restriction capability if the user knows what they are doing.

Using Your Wi-Fi Router Application to Restrict Access

Modern routers are programmed with brilliant software allowing customers to really take control over their Wi-Fi. To restrict Wi-Fi using your router's built-in app, the process is fairly easy. Just search for the parental control section in your router’s application and follow the guided steps to complete the setup.

In this article, we’ll go through the steps on how to do this on an Amazon Eero and NetGear router, as they provide excellent functionality with regards to internet access control.

Amazon Eero

If you’ve recently acquired an Amazon Eero router, you’ll likely have downloaded and installed the Eero mobile application. After the initial app setup, to restrict Wi-Fi access at certain times, follow these steps:

1. Open the Eero app on your mobile phone and tap on the Home tab across the bottom.
2. Then scroll down to the Profiles section and tap Add a Profile.
3. Give the profile a name, select the devices to add to the profile from the list of connected devices, and then press Done at the top right.

4. Finally, tap on the Add a Scheduled Pause option, set the days and time range for the blocking effect, and then press the Save option at the top right.

Wait for the magic to happen at the specified time range and you’ll find only the devices added to the restricted profile list are blocked.

NetGear Nighthawk

If you are using a Netgear router, you can setup the NetGear Nighthawk app on your mobile phone to restrict Wi-Fi access at certain times. Here are the steps:

1. Open the NetGear Nighthawk app, scroll down slightly and tap on the Parental Controls option.
2. Tap on Add New Profile, followed by Set Up and then type in a name for the new Profile.

3. The list of devices connected to the router will be listed, tap on the devices to add to the profile and then hit continue.
4. After creating the profile, if you have not unlocked the premium features, a button will be displayed allowing you to purchase this, with which you can setup schedules to implement the Wi-Fi blocking features.
5. After purchasing the premium plan, within the profile, tap on the Settings tab across the top, then tap on the Bedtime option.
6. Here, select the days and time range to block and then tap the Save button, followed by Finish.

Pros of restricting Wi-Fi using router apps:

• Admin users can manage all connected device from the router app, allowing for a quick and easy process, instead of having to configure each device manually.
• In some cases there are no monthly or yearly additional cost on top of your normal internet service provider (ISP) cost. The built-in software comes free with the router such as in the Amazon Eero app or another router company like TP-Link.
• Multiple profiles can be created, meaning different time ranges can be set for different devices/people e.g. Your 15-year-old child may be on profile 1 and get an extra hour than your 11-year-old on profile 2.

Cons of restricting Wi-Fi using router apps:

• You may need to purchase a better router than the one provided by your ISP, if your current router isn't equipped with good software, so there may be an initial cost to get you started.
• Some companies like Netgear require users to purchase a subscription to setup scheduled time restrictions.

Wrapping Up

Controlling Wi-Fi access in this jam-packed era of technology is a good idea, and we hope this article acts as a guide to help you do just that. We’ve detailed the best methods in achieving this here, and hope you and your family get that downtime we all need.

Before purchasing a router, be sure to check if the router offers blocking functionality.

Till next time and take care!