Maverick VPN Router Installation Tutorial: One-click sharing of devices for the whole family, even TV boxes can be used

Why install a VPN on your router?

How many devices do you have? Mobile phones, computers, tablets, TV boxes, game consoles...each one has to install the Aox VPN client. When changing WiFi, it has to be reconnected. When guests come to the house, you have to help them install it - it gives me a headache just thinking about it.

Installing the VPN on the router solves the problem in one step: as long as you connect the device to your home WiFi, it will automatically follow the VPN line, and there is no need to install and configure each device separately. No matter you have an iPhone, Android, Windows or Mac, you can bypass the firewall when connected to WiFi.

And many devices do not support direct VPN installation at all - Apple TV, smart TVs, PS5, Switch, Xbox. The router solution is the only way to allow these devices to "go online".

Preparation: What you need

A router that supports firmware flashing (mainstream brands such as ASUS, Netgear, Xiaomi, and Ficom support this)

A AoxVPN VIP account (the free version does not support router configuration yet)

A computer (used to configure the router backend)

15-20 minutes

If this is your first time flashing your router, don’t be afraid. This tutorial is written for beginners. I also worked on it myself from the cognitive level of "a router is just a box that sends WiFi".

Solution 1: ASUS Router (Merlin Firmware) - Most Recommended

Flashing Asuswrt-Merlin firmware for ASUS routers is currently the most mature solution, with good stability and frequent updates. Supported models include RT-AC68U, RT-AC86U, RT-AX88U, GT-AX11000 and other mainstream models.

Step 1: Flash Merlin firmware

Go to the Merlin official website to download the firmware corresponding to your router model.

Enter the router background (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.50.1) and upload the Merlin firmware in "System Management → Firmware Upgrade"

Wait for 5 minutes to automatically restart. Refresh the background to see the Merlin logo and it will be successful.

Step 2: Configure Aox VPN subscription

Find "Software Center" in the left menu of the Merlin firmware background, search and install the "Scientific Internet" plug-in

Log in to AoxVPN Organ Network and copy your subscription link in "My Account → Subscription Settings"

Go back to the router plug-in, paste the subscription link, and click "Update Subscription"

After the subscription update is completed, you will see a list of all nodes of Aox VPN

Step 3: Set up diversion rules

Find "Access Control" in the plug-in and set the offload mode to "GFWList mode"

In this way, domestic Taobao, Baidu, and Bilibili use direct connections (the fastest), while Google, YouTube, and Twitter that need to circumvent the firewall use Aox VPN.

If you mainly use it when you return to China (overseas Chinese), configure the reverse selection: domestic websites use the return line, and overseas websites connect directly

Option 2: OpenWrt / LEDE router - more flexible

OpenWrt is an open source router system that supports a wider range of devices, including Xiaomi, Ficom, TP-Link and other brands. OpenClash and PassWall plug-ins commonly used in the Chinese community can be connected to Aox VPN.

Quick setup steps

After flashing OpenWrt, find OpenClash or PassWall in the "Services" menu

Add Aox VPN subscription link in the plugin

After updating the subscription, select a node as the default route

Turn on "automatic switching" - if the main node hangs up, it will automatically switch to the backup node.

OpenWrt has a steeper learning curve than Merlin, but offers greater configuration freedom. If you have a certain understanding of the Internet, I recommend this solution.

Option 3: Soft routing (bypass routing) - the strongest performance

If your home has many devices and high speed requirements, it is recommended to use soft routing. Soft routing is a small computer (industrial computer) that acts as a router. The CPU performance is far superior to that of ordinary routers, and the encryption and decryption speed of Maverick VPN is faster.

Common soft routing solutions: R2S, R4S, R5S or other X86 industrial computers, flash OpenWrt or other soft routing systems. Connection method: optical modem → main router (responsible for WiFi) → soft router (bypass router, responsible for VPN processing).

The performance of Aox accelerator on soft routing: it can run at 95Mbps under 100M broadband, and the decryption speed is almost not slowed down.

Which devices can access the Internet through router VPN?

All devices connected to WiFi or network cable can automatically use VPN:

✅ Mobile phone (iPhone / Android)

✅ Computer (Windows/Mac/Linux)

✅ Tablet (iPad / Android tablet)

✅ Apple TV/Xiaomi Box/Various TV Boxes

✅ Smart TV (Samsung/LG/Sony, etc.)

✅ Game consoles (Switch/PS5/Xbox)

✅ Smart speakers (HomePod/Echo, etc.)

In a word: As long as there is WiFi function, you can share Aox VPN through the router. If you have a lot of equipment at home, the time saved by this solution is well worth the price of admission.

Will Router VPN Affect Internet Speed?

This is the question that everyone is most concerned about. I have tested it:

ASUS RT-AC86U + Aox VPN: Under a 200M broadband environment, the VPN download speed can reach 150-180Mbps, which is enough for daily watching 4K and playing games.

Entry-level router (100 yuan range): VPN performance is limited, it may only be able to reach 30-50Mbps. It is no problem to watch 1080p, but barely 4K.

Soft routing: Broadband below 300M is almost lossless, and above 300M there is 15-20% loss

Bottom line: The router CPU determines the VPN speed limit. If your budget allows, buy a mid-to-high-end router (more than 400 yuan), the experience gap will be obvious.

FAQ
Q: If a VPN is installed on the router, will domestic websites become slower?

A: No. After turning on the offload mode, domestic websites will be directly connected and the speed will remain unchanged. Only blocked overseas websites use the Aox VPN route.

Q: Where can I find the subscription link for AoxVPN?

A: Log in to AoxVPN Organ Network → My Account → Subscription Settings → Copy the subscription link.

Q: Does the router need to be reset after a power outage or restart?

A: No need. The configuration is saved in the router and will be restored automatically after a power outage and restart, and Maverick VPN will reconnect.

Q: Will it affect other home devices (such as smart home)?

A: No impact. Smart home devices (Mijia, HomeKit, etc.) use direct connections without going through VPN. The premise is that you set up the diversion rules correctly.

Q: What should I do if the Merlin plug-in and Aox VPN subscription are not compatible?

A: Node information can be entered manually. On the subscription page of AoxVPN Organ Network, select the "Manual Configuration" mode, and the server address, port, protocol, password and other parameters will be displayed. Just fill in the plug-in manually.

Summarize

Installing a Aox accelerator on your router is an investment that benefits the whole family. The more devices you have in your home, the greater the value of this solution.

Recommended path: ASUS Merlin (the simplest) → OpenWrt (more flexible) → Soft Router (the strongest performance). Choose a solution based on your equipment and needs, follow the step-by-step tutorial, and get it done in half an hour.

Whether you want to watch YouTube and Netflix over the wall with your whole family, or you want your whole family to go back to your country to listen to music and watch TV shows together, router + Aox VPN is the ultimate solution.