Cisco Meraki routers and gateways, tested with ThingSIM.

Meraki MG cellular gateways give an MX security appliance or any network a mobile uplink, managed from the Meraki Dashboard. A ThingSIM goes in the gateway and the APN is set in the Dashboard.

How to set it up See the 6 models

Setting up a ThingSIM in the Meraki Dashboard

The APN goes in Cellular Gateway → Cellular Gateways → the MG → Uplink → Configuration. Copy it from the SIM's page in the ThingSIM portal; there is no username or password.

  1. Activate the SIM in the ThingSIM portal, insert it in SIM1 and power the gateway.
  2. In the Meraki Dashboard go to Cellular Gateway → Cellular Gateways and select the MG.
  3. Open the Uplink tab, scroll to Configuration and click edit.
  4. Enter the APN from the portal with IP type IPv4 and Authentication None, leave the username and password blank, and save.
  5. If the gateway has never been online, set the same values on its local status page under Configure → Cellular Settings (override the SIM1 data session).
  6. The Uplink tab then shows the SIM connected, with carrier and signal.

Two SIMs for failover

MGs hold two SIMs, one active at a time. SIM1 is primary by default and SIM failover is switched on or off on the Uplink tab. On the MG52 each slot, including eSIM, is set as primary, secondary or not in use.

Checking it works

The Uplink tab in the Dashboard shows signal, carrier and usage over time; the local status page shows the same on site.

More help

APN settings, signal but no data and setting up a 4G router.

Cisco Meraki models that work with ThingSIM

Every model below is compatible and tested with ThingSIM. Older models no longer sold are marked; plenty are still in service and work the same way.

MG Cellular Gateway

Cisco Meraki MG52 Tested with ThingSIM

MG52

Failover router · dual SIM 5G SA · 2 SIM slots + eSIM Cloud-managed IP67 5G gateway for branch primary/campus WAN.
Cisco Meraki MG21 Tested with ThingSIM

MG21

Failover router 4G LTE-A Cat 6 · 1 SIM slot Branch LTE failover for Meraki MX networks.
Cisco Meraki MG52E Tested with ThingSIM

MG52E

Failover router · dual SIM 5G SA · 2 SIM slots + eSIM MG52 with external antennas.
Cisco Meraki MG41 Tested with ThingSIM

MG41

Failover router · dual SIM 4G LTE-A Pro Cat 18 · 2 SIM slots Critical failover or primary LTE for branches, pop-ups, emergency services.
Cisco Meraki MG21E Tested with ThingSIM

MG21E

Failover router 4G LTE-A Cat 6 · 1 SIM slot MG21 with external antennas.
Cisco Meraki MG41E Tested with ThingSIM

MG41E

Failover router · dual SIM 4G LTE-A Pro Cat 18 · 2 SIM slots MG41 with external antennas.
Cisco Meraki MG51 Tested with ThingSIM No longer sold

MG51

Failover router · dual SIM 5G NSA · 2 SIM slots Cloud-managed 5G gateway for branch primary WAN.
Cisco Meraki MG51E Tested with ThingSIM No longer sold

MG51E

Failover router · dual SIM 5G NSA · 2 SIM slots MG51 with external antennas.

Questions people ask

Does a ThingSIM work in a Meraki MG41?

Yes. Insert the SIM, set the APN from the portal for that SIM slot in the Meraki Dashboard, and the gateway connects as a cellular uplink.

Which plan suits a Meraki backup uplink?

A gateway that only carries traffic during an outage usually fits in 1 GB or 5 GB a month. 5 GB on UK 4-network is £8.85 a month.

Other manufacturers

Teltonika Peplink Cradlepoint (Ericsson) Digi Sierra Wireless AirLink Ubiquiti UniFi Milesight Robustel Cisco InHand Networks MultiTech Ewon (HMS Networks) MikroTik TP-Link GL.iNet RAKwireless Dragino Netgear