How to configure identical WiFi on MikroTik so that the devices switch automatically?

RouterOS Beginner Basics
1

I used TP-Link Deco M4 routers for several years and had many IoT devices connected to the main network. Recently I changed routers to MikroTik and a specialist friend assured me that if I set the same SSID and password on the new routers, the devices will not notice the router change and will automatically switch to this network.

I did that and unfortunately it doesn’t work. They are still stuck in the previous network, which no longer exists, and the new network is available but is not treated as the same.

Is it even possible to trick devices from the previous network into automatically jumping to the new one?

2

Hi

Your devices should connect automatically to the Mikrotik wifi.
Have you used the same security type (wpa2/3)?
Also try to reboot the devices.
/Geir

3

This Deco interface does not have such extensive configuration functions as in MT, but I suspect that WPA2 was there (it is rather a standard). I have set WPA2-PSK and WPA3-PSK in the RouterOS configuration.

And the channel width or numbers have no influence on it?

4

Like previously mentioned, it looks like a security protocol mismatch. Also, make sure you have the exact same SSID/password combination.

5

Roaming properly between multiple MT wifi devices did not come to fruition until the AX product line.
Your friend didnt give you accurate information

6

My recent experience is that some IoT devices want to see only WPA2, and will refuse to connect at all if WPA3 is offered, so try unticking that.

I did as you are seeking, switched to a Mikrotik router with no problems using the same SSID/key. Since, I have changed the SSID and key (because it pleased me to do so) and re-paired devices. Try re-pairing if disabling WPA3 does not resolve it.

7

Some IoT devices also memorize the MAC of the access point. When you change access points, you must either use the MAC of the previous access point or re-bind the devices.

8

Could you explain more precisely what you mean?

This is my old network in the WiFi Analyzer app:

9

I wouldn’t be surprised if the iot devices also need TKIP for the authentication encryption. Chances are the Mikrotik is only set for aes ccm.