Setup Guide

TP-Link Omada Captive Portal
Setup Guide

Add a branded captive portal to your TP-Link Omada guest WiFi with CaptiFi: capture guest emails on sign-in, automate Google reviews and run marketing on autopilot. Works with every EAP access point.

๐Ÿ“‹ Before you start, make sure you have:
โ€ข A TP-Link Omada Controller online (OC200, OC300, software or Omada Cloud)
โ€ข One or more EAP access points adopted into the controller
โ€ข A CaptiFi account - create one here
โ€ข Your External Portal URL and RADIUS details from the CaptiFi dashboard

1 3-step setup overview

Setting up CaptiFi on TP-Link Omada takes under 15 minutes. There are three jobs:

Step 1 Create an open guest SSID in the Omada Controller.
Step 2 Under Authentication โ†’ Portal, set the type to External Portal Server and paste your CaptiFi URL.
Step 3 Add the CaptiFi domains to the pre-authentication list so the splash page loads before sign-in.
๐Ÿ’ก Omada keeps running your WiFi. CaptiFi only adds the branded splash page, the email capture, the GDPR consent and the marketing automation that follows.

2 Create a guest SSID

Open your Omada Controller through the web interface (typically https://your-controller-ip:8043) or via Omada Cloud, then go to Settings โ†’ Wireless Networks and create a new guest SSID:

Name Something guests recognise, for example Free WiFi
Security None (the captive portal handles sign-in)
VLAN Optionally assign a guest VLAN to isolate traffic from your business network

3 Configure the external portal

Go to Settings โ†’ Authentication โ†’ Portal and enable a portal for your guest SSID:

SSID Select your new guest SSID
Authentication Type External Portal Server
External Portal URL Paste your CaptiFi External Portal URL
RADIUS server, port and shared secret Enter the values shown in your CaptiFi dashboard
Authentication Timeout Recommended: 24 hours
Click Save to apply the portal settings.

4 Add the pre-authentication domains

Add CaptiFi to the pre-authentication list (the Omada walled garden) so the splash page can load before a guest signs in:

๐Ÿ’ก Add each domain to the pre-authentication policy for the portal, then save.

5 Test the solution

Connect a phone to your guest SSID. You should be redirected to your branded CaptiFi splash page. Enter a test email, complete the login, and confirm you reach the internet.

Verify the capture in your CaptiFi dashboard under Site Guest Logs.

โœ… Your CaptiFi captive portal is now live on your TP-Link Omada network. Every guest who connects sees your branded login page and their email is captured automatically.
๐Ÿงญ Want the full walkthrough? The blog guide below covers the same steps with screenshots, the compatible EAP hardware list, and what CaptiFi adds on top of the built-in Omada portal.

Works with your existing Omada kit, or use our free device

You do not have to buy anything new. There are two paths and both are included with your plan.

Use your existing Omada kit If you already run TP-Link EAP access points and an Omada Controller, follow the steps above. CaptiFi sits in front as the external portal. No extra hardware.
Use our free plug-and-play device No Omada controller, or you would rather not touch it? We post you a pre-configured CaptiFi device. Plug it into your existing network by Ethernet, it pulls its config from the cloud, and a guest SSID appears in about two minutes. No controller, no static IP, no firewall changes.
๐Ÿ’ก The plug-and-play device is the zero-config alternative. Same marketing platform either way.

Related guides and pages

TP-Link Omada captive portal FAQ

Does CaptiFi work with the free Omada Software Controller?

Yes. CaptiFi works with all versions of the Omada Controller: the OC200 and OC300 hardware controllers, the free software controller, and Omada Cloud.

Which EAP access points does CaptiFi support?

CaptiFi works with the full EAP range, including the EAP225, EAP245, EAP660 HD, EAP670 and the EAP610 and EAP225 outdoor units. The portal settings are the same across the range.

Why is my Omada splash page not loading?

Almost always the pre-authentication list is missing a CaptiFi domain. Confirm all four domains are added to the portal policy and that you saved. Test on a device that has not cached a previous portal.

Do I need to change my existing Omada setup?

No. You add one open guest SSID and configure the external portal on it. Your existing business and staff networks stay untouched.

Will CaptiFi slow down my Omada WiFi?

No. CaptiFi only handles the sign-in splash page. Once a guest is through, their traffic runs straight over your Omada network as normal. Speeds are unaffected.

Is Omada guest WiFi email capture GDPR compliant with CaptiFi?

Yes. CaptiFi captures guest details with clear consent and keeps a full audit trail, so your Omada guest WiFi stays UK GDPR and PECR compliant.

Turn your Omada guest WiFi into a marketing machine

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