Connection Preference on the Deco App: Set Your Signal Source

The Connection Preference feature in the Deco App lets you manually control which Deco node a satellite unit or connected device uses as its signal source, rather than letting the network automatically select one. Changing the connection order can improve performance in specific areas of your home. The steps below use Deco M5 as an example. The process is the same across all supported models.

Key Takeaways

• Use Connection Preference in the Deco App when a device or satellite Deco connects to the wrong node, for example, when a closer node is available, connections are unstable due to frequent node switching, or a specific device needs a reliable connection to a particular Deco node.
• The Connection Preference feature lets you manually choose which Deco node a satellite Deco or connected device uses as its signal source, instead of relying on automatic selection.
• This feature is available in both Router mode and Access Point mode, and is supported on select Deco models. Additional models will gain support via future firmware updates.
• To set a preferred signal source for a satellite Deco, open the Network Map in the Deco App, tap the satellite Deco, tap Connection Preference, turn off Auto, choose the preferred source Deco, and tap Save.
• To set a preferred signal source for a client device, tap Online Clients in the Deco App, select the device, tap Connection Preference, choose the preferred Deco node and Wi-Fi band, and tap Save.

When to Use Connection Preference

Connection Preference is useful in several common situations:

• A device in a far corner of the home keeps connecting to a distant Deco node when a closer one is available.
• A satellite Deco keeps switching between nodes, causing an unstable connection.
• A gaming device or smart TV needs a consistent, strong connection to a specific Deco node.

Some Deco models have added the feature to select a preferred signal source for the satellite Deco and the client device, which will help improve the network performance.

The steps below use Deco M5 as an example. The process is the same across all supported models.

Note:

• This feature is supported both under Router mode and Access Point mode.
• Some Deco models will support this feature via firmware updates in the future.

Part 1: Set a Preferred Signal Source for a Satellite Deco

Step 1: Open the Network Map

Please tap the Network Map in the Deco app, then tap the satellite deco you want to change the signal source for.

Step 2: Select Connection Preference.

Tap on Connection Preference.

Step 3: Choose Your Preferred Source and Save

Turn off Auto, select the preferred source Deco, and then tap Save to save the changes. And on the Network Map page, you will see the target Deco connects to the source Deco you want to connect.

Part 2: Set a Preferred Signal Source for a Client Device

Step 1: Open Online Clients and Select Your Device

In the Deco app, tap Online Clients, then tap the device you want to change the signal source for.

Step 2: Tap Connection Preference

Tap on Connection Preference.

Step 3: Choose Your Preferred Deco and Wi-Fi Band, Then Save

Select the preferred Deco and preferred Wi-Fi band for the target device, and then tap Save to save the changes.