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We’ve come a long way from praying no one called the house phone while dial-up did its thing, serenaded by the screechy song of the modem (sorry if you’re hearing it now).
These days, we’re still crossing our fingers, just now we're hoping our devices can keep up with the latest Wi-Fi upgrades.
Wi‑Fi is designed to be backwards compatible. That means when you connect an older device to a newer router that supports Wi‑Fi 6 or 7, they’ll still talk to each other, but will only use the fastest version both can support.
So if your router supports Wi‑Fi 6 but your phone only supports Wi‑Fi 5, they’ll connect just fine at Wi‑Fi 5 speeds.
When compatibility could be an issue:
Most devices from the last 10 years should connect without trouble, but there are a few exceptions:
If something isn’t connecting, check that your router has 2.4 GHz enabled, as older devices rely on it. If your router supports mesh Wi-Fi enabling this may also help your connection.
Wondering if your current devices can take advantage of the latest Wi‑Fi technology?
There are a few simple ways to check whether your phone, laptop, tablet or other devices can support Wi‑Fi 6 or 7.
This isn’t a guarantee, but it’s a helpful starting point to know roughly what standard was supported when the device was made.
Check the box your device came in, in the device manual, or on the manufacturer’s website for these Wi-Fi standards terms.
This can tell you exactly what is supported on the device.
Your device type can matter, some devices are built to take advantage of the latest Wi‑Fi standards, while others, like older or budget models, may only support earlier versions.
It’s always best to check your device’s specs (on the box, in the manual, or on the manufacturer’s website), but here’s a general guide for the curious:
| Device | Typical Wi‑Fi Support |
|---|---|
Laptops
|
Mid-range and high-end laptops often support Wi-Fi 6. Budget laptops may still use Wi-Fi 5. USB 3.0 ports allow upgrading via adapter/dongle. |
Phones & tablets
|
Newer or premium devices (2023+) often support Wi-Fi 6 or 6E. Older or budget ones may only support Wi-Fi 4 or 5. |
Smart TVs
|
Many use Wi-Fi 5. Budget TVs may use Wi-Fi 4. |
Streaming sticks
|
Devices like Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV often support newer Wi-Fi standards. |
Game consoles
|
Newest consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X) may support Wi-Fi 6. Older consoles will use Wi-Fi 5 or 4. |
Smart home devices
|
Many cameras, thermostats, and sensors use Wi-Fi 4 (often 2.4 GHz) for better range. |
Printers & e-readers
|
Usually use Wi-Fi 4. That’s plenty for basics like scanning or syncing books. |
In most cases, no. Your older devices could still work, they just won’t get the full benefit of your newer router. That’s okay for many tasks like streaming, browsing, or smart home controls.
However, if you want faster speeds, better battery life, or a stronger connection if your home is busy, upgrading to newer Wi‑Fi 6 or 7-compatible devices can help future-proof your setup.