TP-Link Routers and Gateways: SIM Setup Guide

TP-Link's 4G and 5G routers are a common way to give a small site, a kiosk or a backup line a mobile connection. A ThingSIM connects once its APN is set in a custom APN profile, and roams across the Irish networks.

Last updated

How to set it up See the 37 models

Setting up a ThingSIM in the TP-Link router web interface

The APN goes in Advanced → Network → Internet → Create Profile. 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 and log in to the router (tplinkmodem.net).
  2. Go to Advanced → Network → Internet and click Create Profile.
  3. Enter a profile name, PDP type IPv4, APN type Static, the APN from the portal and authentication None, with no username or password.
  4. Click OK and select the new profile as the active one.
  5. Turn Data Roaming on and make sure Mobile Data is on.
  6. The Network Map shows the router connected.

Two SIMs for failover

TP-Link's 4G and 5G routers take one SIM; the router can still fall back between a fixed line and the SIM where it has a WAN port.

Checking it works

Basic → Network Map shows the connection, signal and data used.

More help

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

TP-Link models that work with ThingSIM

Every model below takes a standard SIM or eSIM and works with ThingSIM. Older models no longer sold are marked; plenty are still in service and work the same way.

Archer MX/MR (4G)

TP-Link Archer MR600 Works with ThingSIM

Archer MR600

Office router · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 6 · 1 SIM slot Popular 4G+ home/office router. Archer MR600 setup guide
TP-Link Archer MR200 Works with ThingSIM

Archer MR200

Office router · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 4 · 1 SIM slot Budget 4G dual-band router.
TP-Link Archer MR505 Works with ThingSIM

Archer MR505

Office router · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 6 · 1 SIM slot 4G+ home/office router.
TP-Link Archer MX700 Works with ThingSIM

Archer MX700

Office router · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 6 · 1 SIM slot 4G+ home/office router with Wi-Fi 6.
TP-Link Archer MR515 Works with ThingSIM

Archer MR515

Office router · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 6 · 1 SIM slot 4G+ home/office router.
TP-Link Archer MR500 Works with ThingSIM

Archer MR500

Office router · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 6 · 1 SIM slot 4G+ home/office router.

MiFi

TP-Link M7350 Works with ThingSIM

M7350

mobile hotspot · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 4 · 1 SIM slot Popular 4G mobile hotspot.
TP-Link M7000 Works with ThingSIM

M7000

mobile hotspot · Wi-Fi 4G LTE · 1 SIM slot Budget 4G mobile hotspot.
TP-Link M7450 Works with ThingSIM

M7450

mobile hotspot · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 6 · 1 SIM slot LTE-Advanced mobile hotspot.
TP-Link M8550 Works with ThingSIM

M8550

mobile hotspot · Wi-Fi 5G NR + LTE · 1 SIM slot 5G mobile hotspot with touchscreen.
TP-Link M7005 Works with ThingSIM

M7005

mobile hotspot · Wi-Fi 4G LTE · 1 SIM slot Budget 4G mobile hotspot.
TP-Link M7010 Works with ThingSIM

M7010

mobile hotspot · Wi-Fi 4G LTE · 1 SIM slot Budget 4G mobile hotspot.
TP-Link M7750 Works with ThingSIM

M7750

mobile hotspot · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 12 · 1 SIM slot LTE-Advanced mobile hotspot.
TP-Link M7352 Works with ThingSIM

M7352

mobile hotspot · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 4 · 1 SIM slot 4G mobile hotspot.
TP-Link M7400 Works with ThingSIM

M7400

mobile hotspot · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 6 · 1 SIM slot LTE-Advanced mobile hotspot.
TP-Link M7200 Works with ThingSIM No longer sold

M7200

mobile hotspot · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 4 · 1 SIM slot 4G mobile hotspot.

Archer NX (5G)

TP-Link Archer NX200 Works with ThingSIM

Archer NX200

Office router · Wi-Fi 5G NR + LTE · 1 SIM slot Entry 5G home/office router. Archer NX200 setup guide
TP-Link Archer NX500 Works with ThingSIM

Archer NX500

Office router · Wi-Fi 5G NR + LTE Cat 19 · 1 SIM slot Home/small-office 5G router with Wi-Fi 6.
TP-Link Archer NX210 Works with ThingSIM

Archer NX210

Office router · Wi-Fi 5G NR + LTE Cat 19 · 1 SIM slot Entry 5G home/office router.
TP-Link Archer NX600 Works with ThingSIM

Archer NX600

Office router · Wi-Fi 5G NR + LTE · 1 SIM slot Home/small-office 5G router with Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5G port.
TP-Link Archer NX505 Works with ThingSIM

Archer NX505

Office router · Wi-Fi 5G NR + LTE Cat 19 · 1 SIM slot Home/small-office 5G router with Wi-Fi 6.
TP-Link Archer NX500-Outdoor Works with ThingSIM

Archer NX500-Outdoor

Outdoor unit · Wi-Fi 5G NR + LTE Cat 19 · 1 SIM slot Weatherproof 5G router for rural/remote sites.
TP-Link Archer NX205 Works with ThingSIM

Archer NX205

Office router · Wi-Fi 5G NR + LTE · 1 SIM slot Entry 5G home/office router.

Omada 4G/5G gateway

TP-Link ER706W-4G Works with ThingSIM

ER706W-4G

Branch router · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 6 · 1 SIM slot SMB VPN gateway with 4G+ WAN, Omada SDN managed.
TP-Link ER706WP-4G Works with ThingSIM

ER706WP-4G

Branch router · dual SIM · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 6 · 2 SIM slots SMB VPN gateway with 4G+ WAN and 4x PoE+.
TP-Link ER703WP-4G-Outdoor Works with ThingSIM

ER703WP-4G-Outdoor

Outdoor unit · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 6 · 1 SIM slot Outdoor/indoor 4G+ gateway for farms, car parks, remote sites.
TP-Link ER603WP-4G-Outdoor Works with ThingSIM

ER603WP-4G-Outdoor

Outdoor unit · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 4 · 1 SIM slot Outdoor PoE 4G gateway.
TP-Link ER701-5G-Outdoor Works with ThingSIM

ER701-5G-Outdoor

Outdoor unit · dual SIM 5G NR + LTE · 2 SIM slots Outdoor 5G gateway for SMB fixed wireless access.

Deco (mesh)

TP-Link Deco X50-5G Works with ThingSIM

Deco X50-5G

Office router · Wi-Fi 5G NR + LTE · 1 SIM slot 5G mesh Wi-Fi 6 gateway.
TP-Link Deco X50-4G Works with ThingSIM

Deco X50-4G

Office router · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 6 · 1 SIM slot 4G+ mesh Wi-Fi 6 gateway.
TP-Link Deco X20-4G Works with ThingSIM

Deco X20-4G

Office router · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 6 · 1 SIM slot 4G+ mesh Wi-Fi 6 gateway.

TL-MR (4G)

TP-Link TL-MR6400 Works with ThingSIM

TL-MR6400

Office router · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 4 · 1 SIM slot Budget 4G router, very widely deployed.
TP-Link TL-MR100 Works with ThingSIM

TL-MR100

Office router · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 4 · 1 SIM slot Budget 4G router.
TP-Link TL-MR105 Works with ThingSIM

TL-MR105

Office router · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 4 · 1 SIM slot Budget 4G router.
TP-Link TL-MR6500v Works with ThingSIM

TL-MR6500v

Office router · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 4 · 1 SIM slot 4G router with VoLTE telephone port.
TP-Link TL-MR100P Works with ThingSIM

TL-MR100P

Office router · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 4 · 1 SIM slot Budget 4G router.
TP-Link TL-MR108 Works with ThingSIM

TL-MR108

Office router · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 4 · 1 SIM slot Budget 4G router.
TP-Link TL-MR100-Outdoor Works with ThingSIM

TL-MR100-Outdoor

Outdoor unit · Wi-Fi 4G LTE Cat 4 · 1 SIM slot Weatherproof 4G router for outbuildings/CCTV.

Questions people ask

Does a ThingSIM work in a TP-Link Archer MR600?

Yes. Create a custom APN profile with the APN from the portal, turn data roaming on and the router connects on the strongest of Vodafone, Three and eir.

Is ThingSIM right for home broadband in a TP-Link router?

ThingSIM plans go up to 5 GB a month, which suits backup lines, kiosks, cameras and other kit. For everyday home internet, a consumer mobile broadband plan with a larger allowance is a better fit.

Setup Guides

All guides
Setup & troubleshooting Activating, pausing and moving SIMs Use the ThingSIM portal to activate an IoT SIM at installation, pause or cease it, move a physical SIM to another device and change its plan. Setup & troubleshooting APN settings: how to set up the APN on a device Find the APN for your ThingSIM IoT SIM and enter it in a router, camera or tracker, then check that mobile data is working. Setup & troubleshooting Improving 4G signal for a fixed device Compare positions, check the enclosure and test antenna options before mounting a fixed 4G device, from rural sites in the West to the border counties. Setup & troubleshooting Setting up a 4G router with a data SIM Install a 4G router SIM in a compatible router, enter the APN, choose a data allowance and test the mobile broadband connection where it will run.

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