FamilyMode Home Base (2024)

Use this document to set up the FamilyMode Home Base to your wireless network.

IMPORTANT: Home Base device no longer usable

The HomeBase device is now an End of Life (EOL) product and will no longer be usable. T-Mobile has discontinued support as of 2022. This document is only to be used as a reference to the HomeBase device.

About FamilyMode Home Base

• Home Base allows you to manage every connected device on your wireless network at home.
• Home Base works by pairing directly with your router and inspecting all the data that comes through your home network.
• The FamilyMode app is needed to control all connected devices.
• Has the ability to control laptops, smart TVs, game consoles and anything else connected to your wireless network.

Setup

Set up the Home Base to your wireless network to begin monitoring all devices that are connected and using your wireless internet.

1. Ensure your router is compatible with Home Base.
2. Connect the Home Base to a power supply, then connect to the wireless router.
3. Open the FamilyMode app, then selectMenu.
4. SelectSet up Home Base.
5. Make sure the device is connected to the same wireless router as the Home Base, then selectContinue.
6. Follow the additional prompts on the device to pair the Home Base with the wireless network.

Wireless devices

When you set up the Home Base, you’ll have access to a whole new group of connected devices to manage with FamilyMode app.

Wi-Fi Devices Are Unmanaged By Default

Wi-Fi devices discovered by Home Base will be set to Unmanaged when they join, meaning that FamilyMode won’t interact with their Internet connection at any point. If you assign one to a Profile, it’ll be managed just like your mobile devices on your home network.

The Home Profile

The Home Profile is where all shared family devices live. You set a baseline Filter, plus any OffTimes or BedTimes to apply to all these devices. You can use this Home Profile any way you’d like by assigning the devices that make sense for your home.

Network Gear & Smart Home Devices

Leave all network gear and smart home devices Unmanaged. Any interference with Home Base may cause unexpected issues with these utilities and services. So, make sure that mesh Wi-Fi extenders and network fabric, as well as Internet of Things (IoT) devices like smart appliances, are never assigned to a Profile.

LED indicators

• Solid light: Home Base is on and paired with your device
• Solid off: Home Base is not on
• Slow blinking light: Home Base is powered on, but not paired to your device
• Quick blinking light: Home Base either is resetting, has a low battery, or has other internal errors

Performing a factory reset

Make sure that Home Base is powered on, and then locate the power button. When you perform the steps on this page, make sure you hear, feel, or sense the power button click and then start your count for a full five seconds.

1. Hold the Power buttonfor five seconds
2. Release the Power button.
3. Hold the Power buttonfor five seconds.
4. Release the Power button.
5. Press the Power button once and then release.

Guest networks, mesh networks, and Wi-Fi extenders

Guest networks

• Many routers have the ability to broadcast the main network and a separate guest network. Guest networks are unique networks with their own names and passwords, though they originate from the same hardware.
• The main benefit of using a guest network is that it allows you to provide guests with Internet access in a home, office, other location while also protecting the security of their normal network.
• Because it is a totally separate network, those who join a guest network are isolated from the main network and won't be able to access devices or shared services (like printers) in use on the main network. Under most circ*mstances, you can still use your guest network with the Home Base paired to your main network. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind:
  • The Home Base will not manage the guest network. Because the guest network is totally separate, the Home Base will not access any Internet activity on that network.
  • Use a password to prevent getting around your Home Base. This will prevent unauthorized users from accessing your guest network without permission. Only give the guest network password to people who you don't want your Home Base to manage.
  • Some routers have guest networks that are incompatible with the Home Base. While many routers offer guest networks that work well with the Home Base paired with the main network, there are a few routers with known incompatibilities.
• The Home Base is able to pair to a guest network that is broadcasted over the 2.4GHz band.
  • Some dual-band routers have the ability to broadcast guest networks on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, and your Home Base will be able to manage traffic over both bands. But, the Home Base will only pair with the 2.4GHz network.
  • The Home Base will not manage Ethernet connections if paired with a guest network.

Mesh networks

• The Home Base works with a majority of mesh network systems, but occasionally they can create issues during setup.
• When you're initially setting up the Home Base, you might need to separate the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands and power down your mesh network satellite units, while leaving the main gateway up. Your gateway unit is the one that is connected to your home's modem via an Ethernet cord.
• Satellite units might connect to it via ethernet, or more likely, via a mesh wireless network. Pair your Home Base to the 2.4GHz network, and then plug it in via ethernet. Afterward, you can bring your satellite units back up. Just make sure to set them as "Unmanaged" if they appear in the FamilyMode app's device list.

Wi-Fi extenders

• We do not recommend pairing the Home Base with an extender's Wi-Fi network if you have the option.
• If you have an extender on your network and are having issues setting your Home Base up, try powering off the extender temporarily until your Home Base is paired. Then plug your Home Base directly into your router using the provided ethernet cord and power on the extender.
• Don't pair your Home Base with a Wi-Fi network that has the same name as your normal network but with an added "_EXT". That's the extender's network, and pairing to that will mean your Home Base can't access the rest of your network.

Router compatibility

Listed are routers by the manufacturer which are compatible and incompatible with Family Mode, and those that require special handling/instructions.

Multiple Home Base related products on the same network

The FamilyMode Home Base device that manages your home Wi-Fi is designed to work on its own. The presence of another Wi-Fi management device on the network that uses similar technology, such as Circle with Disney, Circle on NETGEAR, Circle Home Plus, or Sky Broadband Buddy can cause issues with the management of your network or impact the network's overall performance.

To address this issue, use the instructions listed to disable the other Wi-Fi management device to prevent it from negatively impacting your network.

If you want to use a different device to manage your home Wi-Fi network, you can disable your FamilyMode Home Base:

1. Remove both the Ethernet and power cables from the FamilyMode Home Base device.
2. Hold the power button for around 10 seconds.

Not compatible with DIGITS. Qual'g T-Mobile plan, App install on all devices, & iOS/Android device req'd. Filters may not block all content you consider objectionable & may not filter some secured (HTTPS) traffic. Home Base: Compatible WI-FI router req'd. Coverage may not be available some areas. Location information provided is approximate & may not always be available. Monitored device must be turned on & have location services enabled. Use FamilyMode as intended; App terms apply. Check Privacy Policy & Terms and Conditions (including arbitration provision) at T-Mobile.com for additional information. FamilyMode is a trademark of T-Mobile USA, Inc. Pause The Internet, CIRCLE, & the Circle logo are trademarks of Circle Media, Inc.