ASUS Router App Unable to Detect AsusMerlin

[YumeHatsuyuki]

I've encountered a problem.

When I launch the Asus Router app downloaded from Google Play to try to add my RT-BE88U device, the app is unable to find it.

I’ve tried many ways to add it.

The only successful solution is to upgrade from Asuswrt-Merlin back to AsusWrt, then add the device to the app, and finally downgrade back to Asuswrt-Merlin.

This way, the binding information in the app can be retained. However, if the binding is removed from the app, I have to go through this troublesome process again.

Is there a better solution?

 

[shama_001]

Hi,

Not sure it's linked but I faced a similar scenario (tell me): I've the app on my iPhone since ages, always working. Somewhere in the last 2 weeks it updated and the connection was not possible anymore. As the routeur was not updated I searched on the iPhone APP side: removing it completely and re-install made the trick. No problem since.

 

[YumeHatsuyuki]

og o

Hi,

Not sure it's linked but I faced a similar scenario (tell me): I've the app on my iPhone since ages, always working. Somewhere in the last 2 weeks it updated and the connection was not possible anymore. As the routeur was not updated I searched on the iPhone APP side: removing it completely and re-install made the trick. No problem since.

My Merlin firmware and Android app are both up to date, and I have attempted something similar before, but it failed.

 

[OzarkEdge]

I've encountered a problem.

When I launch the Asus Router app downloaded from Google Play to try to add my RT-BE88U device, the app is unable to find it.

I’ve tried many ways to add it.

The only successful solution is to upgrade from Asuswrt-Merlin back to AsusWrt, then add the device to the app, and finally downgrade back to Asuswrt-Merlin.

This way, the binding information in the app can be retained. However, if the binding is removed from the app, I have to go through this troublesome process again.

Is there a better solution?

The ASUS router app is not supported by Asuswrt-Merlin... it may or may not work.

The better solution could be to use the router webUI to manage your network. Switching back and forth between OEM and third-party firmware is no way (worst way) to manage your network.

OE

 

[bennor]

When I launch the Asus Router app downloaded from Google Play to try to add my RT-BE88U device, the app is unable to find it.

The Asus router app is not supported by Asus-Merlin. Some features may work. Other features, like checking for firmware, will not. @RMerlin has made many comments about the app not being supported: https://www.snbforums.com/search/1343939/?q=app&c[users]=RMerlin&o=relevance

 

[YumeHatsuyuki]

The ASUS router app is not supported by Asuswrt-Merlin... it may or may not work.

The better solution could be to use the router webUI to manage your network. Switching back and forth between OEM and third-party firmware is no way (worst way) to manage your network.

OE

Thank you for your response. It's definitely a bit frustrating, as some features can only be accessed through the app (like deleting offline devices), and the WebUI doesn't handle this very well.

 

[YumeHatsuyuki]

The Asus router app is not supported by Asus-Merlin. Some features may work. Other features, like checking for firmware, will not. @RMerlin has made many comments about the app not being supported: https://www.snbforums.com/search/1343939/?q=app&c[users]=RMerlin&o=relevance

Please forgive me for not thoroughly searching through the multiple comments from @RMerlin. The main reason I use the app is that the webUI cannot delete offline devices. The only solution I found from Asus's official documentation is to use the app to remove excess offline devices (those generated by random MAC addresses).

 

[OzarkEdge]

Thank you for your response. It's definitely a bit frustrating, as some features can only be accessed through the app (like deleting offline devices), and the WebUI doesn't handle this very well.

Deleting offline devices is not necessary... let it go. There are many things ASUSWRT firmware does poorly or not at all (why Asuswrt-Merlin exists despite being built on top of ASUSWRT)... use what works and ignore the rest.

OE

 

[YumeHatsuyuki]

Deleting offline devices is not necessary... let it go. There are many things ASUSWRT firmware does poorly or not at all (why Asuswrt-Merlin exists despite being built on top of ASUSWRT)... use what works and ignore the rest.

OE

It’s unfortunate, but there really isn't a better solution at the moment—unless, of course, future updates to the WebUI plan to add such a feature.

 

[OzarkEdge]

It’s unfortunate, but there really isn't a better solution at the moment—unless, of course, future updates to the WebUI plan to add such a feature.

If you intend to continue swapping OEM/third-party firmware to manicure router client lists, which are historically and notoriously inaccurate and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future, you should know that a Hard Reset of newly installed and significantly different firmware and reconfiguration from scratch is strongly advised... required.

FW Reset FAQ

Reset button/webUI Restore/node removal clears settings in NVRAM; reboot restores fw defaults from CFE

Hard Reset via WPS button/webUI Restore+Initialize also clears data logged in /jffs partition

TLDR: Swapping firmware is not a solution to your issue and will cause more problems.

OE

 

[YumeHatsuyuki]

If you intend to continue swapping OEM/third-party firmware to manicure router client lists, which are historically and notoriously inaccurate and will likely remain so for the foreseeable future, you should know that a Hard Reset of newly installed and significantly different firmware and reconfiguration from scratch is strongly advised... required.

FW Reset FAQ

Reset button/webUI Restore/node removal clears settings in NVRAM; reboot restores fw defaults from CFE

Hard Reset via WPS button/webUI Restore+Initialize also clears data logged in /jffs partition

TLDR: Swapping firmware is not a solution to your issue and will cause more problems.

OE

I have already understood the differences between the official firmware and third-party firmware, so I did some preparation before attempting.

Here is my short-term solution:

1. Configure the Merlin firmware settings.
2. Export the Merlin firmware settings.
3. Upgrade to the official firmware using the Merlin firmware.
4. Bind the router to the application.
5. Downgrade back to the Merlin firmware.
6. Perform a full reset.
7. Import the configured Merlin firmware settings.

By doing this, the application will be able to communicate correctly with the Merlin firmware, but I'm unsure if any unknown issues will arise in the future.

But it can temporarily solve my problem...

 

[RMerlin]

Asus were supposed to implement a notification in the mobile app when an Asuswrt-Merlin device was detected, warning of compatiblity limitations. I guess that plan never materialized.

 

[YumeHatsuyuki]

Asus were supposed to implement a notification in the mobile app when an Asuswrt-Merlin device was detected, warning of compatiblity limitations. I guess that plan never materialized.

In fact, the mobile app has many small issues. For example, system notifications don't work properly, and if you accidentally click on the switch to HTTPS in the notification while the device hasn't installed a self-signed certificate, some features will become unusable.

 

[OzarkEdge]

I have already understood the differences between the official firmware and third-party firmware, so I did some preparation before attempting.

Here is my short-term solution:

1. Configure the Merlin firmware settings.
2. Export the Merlin firmware settings.
3. Upgrade to the official firmware using the Merlin firmware.
4. Bind the router to the application.
5. Downgrade back to the Merlin firmware.
6. Perform a full reset.
7. Import the configured Merlin firmware settings.

By doing this, the application will be able to communicate correctly with the Merlin firmware, but I'm unsure if any unknown issues will arise in the future.

But it can temporarily solve my problem...

Steps 5-7 should leave you with a good configuration.

When you get older (I'm not saying wiser), you'll punt on such tricks!

OE