Setting Up Xfinity Wi-Fi Connection with GL.iNet Slate (GL-AR750S-Ext) Travel Router
Some customers asked questions about how to use the Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspot with GL.iNet routers. Therefore, we decide to do some on-site research and provide a helpful solution.
Most of the Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots are located in residential areas. You might find one near you easily. First of all, you need to have an Xfinity app download on your phone and be able to log in to an Xfinity account via the app successfully. This tutorial uses an Android phone and a Slate(GL-AR750S-Ext) dual-band travel router to show you how to connect to an Xfinity wireless network.
STEP 1: Ensure your phone can connect to an “Xfinitywifi” successfully first. Check the data flow, ensure you see the download and upload statistics on your phone. At the same time, you should power up the Slate (GL-AR750S-Ext) router with a 5V/2A power plug or power bank.
STEP 2: Use a laptop to connect to the Slate router. In the web admin panel of Slate router, you need to visit “More settings” > “Custom DNS server” > “DNS Rebinding Attack Protection” to turn off the option and then click “Apply”.
Turn off “DNS Rebinding Attack Protection”
STEP 3: Scan the surrounding wireless network, and let your Slate router connect to an“Xfinitywifi” wirelessly. We chose a 5GHz Wi-Fi because Slate supports this frequency. If you are using a GL.iNet router that only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, you can only choose the other one. Actually, in this case, networks with“5G” labels will not be shown on your Wi-Fi list. Click “Join” to establish the connection. Meanwhile, you need to keep your phone connecting to “Xfinitywifi”, such as watching a Youtube video. Because sometimes power-saving mode of the mobile phone will disconnect the wifi when you’re not using it.
Scan and select a “Xfinitywifi” to connect
STEP 4: In your phone’s settings, you need to find the MAC address. Go to “More settings” > “Clone MAC address” to copy the MAC address to the blank of “Your Router(WAN)”, and then click “Apply” to confirm the change.
Using MAC Clone to copy your phone’s MAC address
STEP 5: When the connection is stable, you can cut the connection between your phone and the “Xfinitywifi” now. Therefore, your router can act as your phone to connect to the wifi hotspot.
STEP 6: Go to “More settings” > “Custom DNS server” > “DNS Rebinding Attack Protection “ to turn on the option back. This will prevent you get any DNS rebinding attack, which is a malicious web page causes visitors to run a client-side script that attacks machines elsewhere on the network. You can also set up your preferred DNS Server manually instead of using the default DNS server managed by Xfinity.
Turn on “DNS Rebinding Attack Protection” and set up your preferred DNS server manually
The web admin panel showing Slate connects to Xfinitywifi
Now, you will be all set! When we were making this tutorial, we also did a speed test to check the network. Well, the speed was not bad. Compared to the Ethernet wired connection, the Internet speed in the wireless repeater mode decreases 50%. To get a better speed, you can try a wired connection with an Ethernet cable between your laptop and the router.
Tested the Xfinity wifi speed on speedtest.net
Purchase this router from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GBXMBQF
About GL.iNet
GL.iNet builds network hardware and software solutions that bring affordable and secure network connectivity to families and businesses all over the world. We work with a wide range of industries, solving everyday internet problems in offices, and providing complex networking solutions such as smart buildings and IoT Networks. At GL.iNet, We believe all successful businesses build upon a strong and secure foundation, which is why our highest priority is perfecting network security and reliability for our partners.