Deco S4_V2 still missing connection preference even after updating to 1.7.0??
Hello,
After waiting for 1+ year, using my firmware 1.6.2 for my Deco S4 V2, I recently updated to firmware 1.7.0. During my waiting time, I constantly checked this thread to see when I would finally be able to use connection preference with Deco S4 (i.e. changing the star topology to a linked topology due to layout of the house). However, even after updating my firmware throughout the years, I never got the option to use connection preference.
I do not understand why, because these links clearly show my Deco model supports the functionality:
- https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/651248 -> This link shows that connection preference should have been present already in firmware 1.5.2 (I was on 1.6.1 when I discovered this forum post, so I thought it would be updated at 1.6.2 but even then it was still missing, and now it is still missing in 1.7.0)
- https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/614754 -> This link shows clearly that Deco S4_V2 supports the functionality.
- https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/651248?replyId=1434434 -> @David-TP advising to update to beta firmware to enable connection preference
- https://community.tp-link.com/en/home/forum/topic/631936 -> This link clearly shows connection preference should have been present at 1.6.x, but I did not see that functionality when I was using 1.6.1 or 1.6.2 or even now at 1.7.0??
I have updated my Deco-app on my phone, the firmware is up-to-date (1.7.0 Build 20250718)
@David-TP I have googled and asked ChatGPT till exhaustion about tweaking the settings to make connection preference appear in the app, nothing has worked so far. Am I missing something?
Thanks in advance for the help!!
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Hi, thank you very much for your time and patience.
I can't explain why the official firmware for Deco S4 has been delayed for quite some time. Usually, official firmware updates include multiple new features. Like when Deco M4 is updated to 1.7.0, it supports Connection Preference, IoT Network, as well as Static Routing. It is likely that the comprehensive testing procedures needed for the official firmware's release have not been fully completed due to resource constraints.
If you're interested, I've left a message with the new beta firmware that is based on the official 1.7.0 version and supports Connection Preference.
Thanks a lot for your understanding and support.
Best regards.
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@madhatter13 I managed to change to the BETA firmware and set the connection preferences, but it wasn't very reliable simply because the hardware lacks range. I ended up upgrading my setup to the XE75 Pro, which has solved all the previous issues I was encountering.
Here's the link for the BETA firmware: https://static.tp-link.com/upload/beta/2025/202509/20250926/s4-SP1-up-ver1-7-0-P1[20250926-rel55119]_beta.zip
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Hi, thank you very much for your time and patience.
You didn't miss anything. I'm afraid that Deco S4_V2_1.7.0 Build 20250718 Rel. 68299 hasn't added Connection Preference.
I'm checking with the senior engineers now to see if there is any chance that they could help us request a beta firmware. I'll update here as soon as there is any further news.
Thanks a lot.
Best regards.
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Hey, first of all, thanks for the quick reply.
However, I do not understand your reply. If the connection preference functionality was already present in 1.6.x beta firmware, shouldn't it be included in the stable version by now? Why is the functionality constantly only available in beta? I thought developers test functionality in alpha/beta-versions and if it passes the tests, it gets published to the main branch/production. Therefore, I do not understand that there have been multiple beta firmware versions with connection preference, but none have made it to the stable versions?
Second, you said you'll look into if you can get a new beta firmware (1.7.x?) that includes the connection preference, but what I am specifically looking for is a stable version that includes connection preference, especially since it has been 1 year ago+ promised already...
Thanks in advance for answering!
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Hi, thank you very much for your time and patience.
I can't explain why the official firmware for Deco S4 has been delayed for quite some time. Usually, official firmware updates include multiple new features. Like when Deco M4 is updated to 1.7.0, it supports Connection Preference, IoT Network, as well as Static Routing. It is likely that the comprehensive testing procedures needed for the official firmware's release have not been fully completed due to resource constraints.
If you're interested, I've left a message with the new beta firmware that is based on the official 1.7.0 version and supports Connection Preference.
Thanks a lot for your understanding and support.
Best regards.
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Hey, thanks again for the reaction. I guess I would like to wait for the official stable release of 1.7.x with the connection preference, instead of the beta. I'll keep in mind your private message with the beta firmware if I change my mind. Thanks for looking into it and hopefully it won't take a long time to relase the stable 1.7.x with connection preference. Cheers!
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Hi, thank you very much for your time and patience.
The beta firmware has been sent via private message.
Best regards.
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@David-TP Hi David,
Could you also send me a copy of the Beta firmware. I am following this thread and was hoping to have the same feature unlocked for my Deco S4
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@David-TP I would also like the connection preference setting for my S4 units and would be interested in trying this beta firmware. Could I please get a copy as well?
And is there any particular reason why this firmware hasn't been made publicly available yet?
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@madhatter13 I managed to change to the BETA firmware and set the connection preferences, but it wasn't very reliable simply because the hardware lacks range. I ended up upgrading my setup to the XE75 Pro, which has solved all the previous issues I was encountering.
Here's the link for the BETA firmware: https://static.tp-link.com/upload/beta/2025/202509/20250926/s4-SP1-up-ver1-7-0-P1[20250926-rel55119]_beta.zip
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@Niblet Thanks for that!
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