Routers Compatible with Apple Products

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Routers Compatible with Apple Products

I have gone through a couple of TP-Link routers in the last 7 or 8 years and I cannot say that I have been happy. Currently, I am using TP-Link AX-73. I have had endless problems with HomePods connecting, not to mention slow download speeds on my Mac Studio and other devices. I have modified the settings on the router by using only one band, repeated hard resets on the HomePods, and have used other suggestions by the community but with poor results. I recently read that my router does have a history of problems with HomePods, so I think it might be a hardware issue.

So, what is a good router to purchase? I have an 830 square foot apartment. I have two HomePods (1st generation), one HomePod (2nd generation), one HomePod mini, an iPad, an iPhone, some AirPods Pro , and a Mac Studio. I use an AT&T U-Verse 5268AC FXN internet device that is then connected to the router. The gateway mbps download speed is 34.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Mike

Mac Studio, macOS 15.5

Posted on Jul 30, 2025 08:14 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 30, 2025 09:00 PM in response to shadow2350

You will usually want one router here, whether that is your U-Verse Pace 5268AC, or the 5268AC is switched into bridged mode and you then install your own gateway box and access points with wired backhaul for better coverage, or your own gateway box and mesh nodes necessary for coverage.

I don’t see a supported way to switch the 5268AC into bridged mode. (related info)

Trying to run more than one gateway in series with more than one box providing NAT, or trying to run multiple uncoordinated IP routers, will not work at all well.

If you have more than one router in use, you will need to configure subnet routing, and most routers will block typical multicast traffic from traversing subnets by default, including that traffic related to the HomePods.

As a next step, I’d check with AT&T and see if they have a newer gateway device, and preferably one with mesh capabilities.

Local gear preference is Ubiquiti, but that’s probably more capabilities than you want or need.

For a simple mesh network, eero gear seems a popular choice.

But you need to have one box handling firewall, NAT, routing, DNS or DNS forwarding functions, and other necessary functions.

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