This Article Applied to:

Deco M5_V1/V2/V3/V3.2

***For Archer GX90, Please go to Archer GX90 Newly Introduced Advanced Parental Control Features

 

Dear Deco M5 Users,
With the adjustment of product strategies, Archer GX90 and Deco M5 will update from HomeCare Protection to an enhanced version of Parental Control and Network Security service kit. This update retains nearly all the legacy features previously offered in HomeCare Protection while also introducing exciting new capabilities from our Advanced Parental Control Subscription.

 

In this article, we will take Deco M5 for example, and provide a brief comparison and overview of the new service kit versus the old one.

• Feature Collections Compare

	Deco M5_1.7.8_HomeCare	Deco M5_1.8.5_Basic Parental Control	Deco M5_1.8.5_Advanced Parental Control
Network Security	Malicious Content Filter Intrusion Prevention System Infected Devices Quarantine	Malicious Content Filter Intrusion Prevention System Infected Devices Quarantine	Malicious Content Filter Intrusion Prevention System Infected Devices Quarantine
Parental Control	Blocked Content Web Filter Bedtime with Custom Weekdays/Weekends Time Limits with Custom Weekdays/Weekends Traffic Hours Insight	Blocked Content based on the latest database Web Filter Bedtime with Custom Weekdays/Weekends Time Limits with Custom Weekdays/Weekends Traffic Hours Enriched visited/block Insight History Optimized App Block up to 2150+ applications	Blocked Content based on the latest database Web Filter Bedtime with Custom Weekdays/Weekends, Custom Days Time Limits with Custom Weekdays/Weekends, Custom Days Offtime with Custom Weekdays/Weekends, Custom Days SafeSearch YouTube Restricted Optimized App Block up to 2150+ applications App Time Limits Always Allowed Apps Traffic Hours with detailed online distribution Statistics Daily/Weekly/Monthly Enriched visited/block Insight History
QoS	Set Total Bandwidth High Priority Modes High Priority Devices	Set Total Bandwidth High Priority Modes High Priority Devices	Set Total Bandwidth High Priority Modes High Priority Devices
Reports	Monthly Reports	Monthly Reports	Monthly Reports

• APP UI

Deco M5_1.8.5_Basic Parental Control	Deco M5_1.8.5_Advanced Parental Control

 

 

Before the official release of the new firmware, it is recommended to install the pre-release version first and explore the updated Parental Control and network security features. The Advanced Parental Control subscription includes a 30-day free trial, and we are also providing limited redeem codes for users who are interested in testing the Advanced Parental Control subscription plan.

***Leave us a message with your TP-Link email ID to get the redeem code.

 

 

Modifications:

• Introduced Advanced Parental Control Features.
• Optimized Network Security features.

 

 

Firmware Download Link:

Deco M5_V1/V2/V3/V3.2

1.8.5_build_20250123_Pre Release

Update Advice:

• Please be sure you have read the Terms and Conditions for TP-Link Beta Firmware before proceeding.
• Please make sure the Deco APP is up-to-date.
• How to manually Update the Firmware of Deco via web UI.
• How to downgrade the firmware if needed: As the 1.8.5 mainly optimized the Parental Control and Network Security service kit, it could also revert to the official 1.7.8 directly via web UI this time.

 

 

Q&A

Q: Can I still use HomeCare Features if I didn't update the firmware?

A: If you stay in the original version, previous features will still be accessible through the Deco app. However,  these features might no longer receive essential security updates. Therefore, we recommend keeping your firmware up to date to ensure optimal security and performance.

 

Q: Will previously free-offered features require a subscription after the firmware upgrade?

A: No. After the firmware upgrade, the Basic Parental Control service kit will not only retain the original capabilities of HomeCare Protection but also offer various enhancements in functional interaction, app block, and the richness of statistical data. Users can still enjoy an excellent experience without a subscription.

 

Q: If I already have an active Advanced Parental Control subscription, Can I use it on Deco M5 instead?

A: Yes. However, there is an exception: if the TP-Link ID also subscribed to Security+ at the same time, then the previous subscriptions can't used on the Deco M5 since its Network Security features are already free.

 

Q: Will I lose parental control configurations and history records?
A: We will make every effort to retain and migrate user usage records and configurations to the fullest extent possible. However, due to potential discrepancies with the old HomeCare database, some settings might need to be reconfigured. Additionally, since the original firmware utilized less usage data for parental control statistics, the insight history and traffic hours may take some time to accumulate sufficient data before they can be displayed accurately after the firmware upgrade.

 

Please feel free to share your thoughts or concerns about the new feature improvements in the comments below!