[Terr_]

XFinity (Comcast) recently sent my parents a new router, and AFAICT there was no way to configure it from a LAN computer.

It required a damn proprietary phone app, which I assume was bouncing commands through the internet.

[fuzzfactor]

This has been a problem for a while, Xfinity has the high-speed fiber but the only routers they supply were emerging apptrash for a while, then recently got even worse with none or almost none of the features accessible without a phone any more.

Your best option is to purchase your own cable modem/router and quit renting that garbage hardware from Comcast.

Or kick them to the curb and go cableless using Verizon with a router that's worth paying for.

[Scaled]

Same but in my parents case it was even worse -- there is a web portal but it's locked unless you use the app to unlock it. Tried contacting support and they could do nothing. Completely arbitrary requirement. Ended up buying a replacement on Amazon.

[GolfPopper]

I'm not familiar with Comcast's specific hardware, but it also possible that the router is always broadcasting a hidden SSID, or is using Bluetooth for setup and configuration. Both of which are also potentially problematic.

[functionmouse]

don't rent your router

[Terr_]

I was assured many times that it wasn't being charged to them as a recurring cost.

They've been having connection hiccups and blaming the old independent router/modem even though I suspect the problem is somewhere further on.