Belkin rolls out HomeKit support to Linksys Velop Tri-Band mesh routers

Belkin has finally started to roll out a firmware update for its line of Linksys Velop Tri-Band mesh routers that enables support for HomeKit, allowing users to closely manage which devices can communicate with the wider Internet.

Rolling out to Linksys Velop Tri-Band mesh routers, the update aims to make the already secure HomeKit smart home platform even more secure, by managing access. Belkin confirmed HomeKit support was arriving on Tuesday, with a phased rollout taking place across the United States with a limited number of users, before a later rollout to other territories.

Specifically, the update allows users to manage the communications of HomeKit-enabled devices across the network, including whether they can access the Internet or if they are limited to just the home network itself. This also includes being able to firewall HomeKit accessories to prevent them from communicating with other Wi-Fi devices on the home network.

Users will see the support enabled within the Velop iOS and iPadOS app once the router has been updated. Users will have to give permission for Linksys to use Apple Home data to connect with HomeKit-enabled accessories.

Belkin has been relatively slow to bring out updates for its Velop router line that enable HomeKit support. In February, it was claimed to be preparing to issue updates to a small number of routers, but the then-imminent release was denied by Belkin.

Linksys Velop routers compatible with HomeKit

A03
A0301
A0302
A0303
WHW0301
WHW0301B
WHW0302
WHW0302B
WHW0303
WHW0303B

11 Comments

lordjohnwhorfin 871 comments · 18 Years

About 4 years ago

Now if they could only get them to work properly... Mine were so plagued with issues I ended up throwing them in the trash.

Scot1 126 comments · 7 Years

I had our first version replaced under manufacturer warranty and the second edition replacement appears to be working fine

Scot1 said:

I had our first version replaced under manufacturer warranty and the second edition replacement appears to be working fine

Was that the tri-band? I had bought it based on glowing reviews that rated it the best around. Worked OK for a couple of years, with nodes randomly dropping off occasionally. One day it just conked out. Out of warranty of course. I will never buy Linksys again that’s for sure.

MacQuadra840av 207 comments · 4 Years

lordjohnwhorfin said:

Now if they could only get them to work properly... Mine were so plagued with issues I ended up throwing them in the trash.

Totally! I had the 3-node Velop and the WiFi range was not that great for an 1,800 sq foot two-story house. Routinely dropping nodes and having to reboot the system. Their app was lousy and the only way you could really configure it was by using the web interface. So HomeKit won't add any value.

I sold mine after about 6 months and replaced it with the far superior Netgear Orbi. I was able to get the Costco version with the 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports on each node. The Netgear uses a separate band for the nodes to communicate, unlike the Linksys that mixes it in with regular internet traffic. My streaming devices are wired Ethernet to the nodes for much faster performance, eliminating each device's built-in Wi-Fi. I get much better and stronger range with the Netgear. I would not recommend the Linksys to anyone.

Apple_Bar 134 comments · 5 Years

Comment Section: “Lets b***tch about how terrible (we think) Velops are”

3 Velops here and never have issues.

Talking about the actual subject: It’s good that they finally implemented HomeKit I thought they abandoned the project after a few months without news.

Now HomeKit support from the router is just 1 part then the accessory manufacturers have to assigned the websites the accessories will communicate with. If they dont includes these websites then HomeKit at the router will mean nothing (unless you used restricted mode to hub only) so far my smart home accessories that have updated the websites the accessories can communicate with are Phillips Hue, Belkin (Wemo plugs).

Eufy, Eve and Logitech not so much in order to secure those you have to use restricted mode in stead of automatic.