@Solla-topee 

 

Will this updated app support TAPO devices as well?

 

 

Kasa no longer without internet access, I need the previous version which works over my local network regardless of internet access. Unless the new app v3.x works locally - this is a big mess.

Solla-topee wrote

  @GreyGeezer 

The new Kasa APP 3.0 still has the option to control your device locally even there is an internet outage. 

We appreciate your feedback in regard to the TP-Link ID, indeed previously a few models of Kasa plugs can be controlled without TP-Link ID, as we recently learned this will be phased out to guarantee your device security. TP-Link ID is now required to log in the Kasa app and manage your kasa devices, and the device will receive the most recent firmware and security updates. 

If you wish to control device local only not to the cloud,  you may consider the workaround like blocking  internet access for the smart devices by setting up some access rules in the router or create a different Wi-Fi SSID that has no internet connection, for example, if you have an old AP, connect the kasa devices to the SSID of the AP then disconnect the Internet connection for that AP. 

If you still have concern in the account or prefer to get a refund,  we encourage you to contact the retailer first or reach our support team via support email TKID221006458 directly so that they can help take a look into your concerns further for your personal situation.

 

@Solla-topee 

 

So we set up an internet blocked SSID for the devices, download the mobile app, switch to that SSID on the phone to set up them up / controls them via the Kasa app but can't actually do it because it now wants to create an account which needs internet connectivity?? even though we want to just control locally?

 

Aside: This suggestion doesn't even address the icing on the cake where some devices ie HS220s (but not HS200s) freak out when there is no internet or DNS, drop all comms and show only a red light (confirmed by unblocking DNS). When DNS is available but internet is not, all devices super aggressively try to reach out to TPLink multiple times per second with no way of turning this off.

 

Back to the point:

 

1. First, without warning, you push firmware onto devices which lock people out of local control
2. Then you backtrack with beta firmwares for a limited time after a user backlash
3. Then you say this doesn't affect all devices and won't happen going forward yet new devices still lose local control with firmware updates
4. Finally, without warning, you drop local control from your app as well

 

... all in the name of security? So people who know how to set up a second SSID and block the internet on it don't know how to secure their own networks?

 

I get it, TPLink needs to cover itself from potential security problems users can experience and claim.. but all this noise, bad press, anger and frustration could have been avoided by:

 

1. Gathering feedback from your users BEFORE making changes. Which could have led to feedback such as this:
2. Adding advanced options in the app for THE USER TO ACCEPT THE RISK of local control on EACH device and
   1. Flipping a bit in that device's firmware to allow local control (unlocking devices)
   2. Supporting local control in the app for users that have accepted this risk.

 

... instead we get fundamental product feature changes we didn't ask for, AFTER investing in your products. Go ahead and look up bait and switch.

 

Congratulations, you have managed to do the exact opposite of your goal and push users away from your products towards more open ones despite there being a perfectly viable solution that would work for both TPLink and users.

 

For my use cases, if local control is not coming back, I am no longer supporting or recommending this company.

 

Rest assured, it is only a matter of time before this "feature" "in the name of security" gets posted all over the internet affecting your reputation, where others can also make up their own minds.

 

If TPLink is concerned about user security, why is it recommending downloading old versions of the Kasa app from third party web stores/sites like apkmirror instead of addressing this issue in the app?

 

Solla-topee wrote:

Hello   @djk

May I know do you use the OS of your mobile device, recently Kasa APP 3.0.3 will come out soon, you could check if the new app will work for you.

In the case of an old network device not allowing upgrading or working better in the previous version.

For the Android, you should be able to download the previous version Andriod Kasa APP from some third party websites like the apk mirror.

For the IOS, there does not seem to be an easy way to revert to the previous version, you may consult the IOS support and see if they have any suggestions.

The app will get better with the more revised versions coming out,  I still recommend trying out the new version Kasa app for better performance in the long term.

 

If TPLink had IOT devices in their buildings, would they trust another company's cloud.. in another country, to run them? through their cloud only? for TPLink's own security as the other company would say?

 

FS