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Key takeaways
- SpaceX is replacing some of its oldest routers for free.
- Affected Gen 1 users will receive an email.
- The Router Mini is an upgrade over the Gen 1 in almost every way.
Have you been a Starlink customer since the beginning? SpaceX will send you a new router at no charge.
In a recent email to some of its longest-subscribing users and via a FAQ page, SpaceX explained that it's ending support for Gen 1 routers, the earliest version of Starlink hardware, and sending customers with that router a newer model.
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"In November 2025, Starlink began emailing customers using the Gen 1 Router to let them know that software updates for this hardware will be discontinued in the near future," Starlink said. "To make this transition seamless, Starlink is providing affected customers with a complimentary Router Mini."
SpaceX went on to explain that the Gen 1 router would continue to function, but that it couldn't guarantee "long-term security, performance, or reliability," and it "strongly recommends" upgrading.
How to claim your free router
All you need to do to claim your free router is click the link in their email and answer a one-question survey. You don't even need to return your old router. As long as you set up your Router Mini with the same SSID network name and password you had for your Gen 1 router, all of your devices will reconnect automatically.
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The Starlink Router Mini is a small Wi-Fi 6 router that can be meshed to your current Starlink system (except the Gen 1 router), either wired or wirelessly. It covers up to 1,300 square feet and supports up to 128 devices, but its biggest perk is its portability.
It's an upgrade from the Gen 1 router in about every way, including support for Wi-Fi 6, a much more compact size, and an additional ethernet port (one WAN and one LAN), but it does have a slightly smaller coverage area than the Gen 1's 2,000 square feet.
If you need coverage in that 1,200 to 2,000 square foot range, you might want to stick with your Gen 1 for as long as you can.
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