MikroTik Integration

Connect CaptiFi to your MikroTik router or access point using RouterOS's built-in Hotspot feature.

Assisted setup

MikroTik is supported through an assisted setup with CaptiFi support. Unlike UniFi or Omada, there is no self-serve MikroTik wizard in the dashboard: our team provides your portal URL and login credentials, and walks the final configuration through with you. Email support@captifi.io to get started — the steps below show what to prepare and what the setup involves.

Prefer plug-and-play?

MikroTik configuration requires some networking knowledge. If you're not comfortable with RouterOS, consider a CaptiFi plug-and-play device instead — it works alongside your existing network with zero RouterOS configuration.

Prerequisites

• MikroTik device running RouterOS 6.x or 7.x
• Access to WinBox or WebFig with admin rights
• CaptiFi account at my.captifi.io with a venue created
• Your CaptiFi-provided portal details (from support)

Overview

The MikroTik integration involves four steps:

1. Hotspot Setup — Create a hotspot on your guest WiFi interface
2. Walled Garden — Allow CaptiFi domains before authentication
3. Portal configuration with CaptiFi support — Point the hotspot login at your CaptiFi splash page
4. Testing — Verify everything works end to end

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Step 1: Create a Hotspot

1. Open WinBox or WebFig
2. Go to IP → Hotspot
3. Click the Hotspot Setup wizard
4. Select the interface for your guest WiFi (e.g., wlan1 or a bridge interface)
5. Set the network address (e.g., 10.5.50.1/24)
6. Set the address pool (e.g., 10.5.50.2-10.5.50.254)
7. Choose SSL certificate: none (CaptiFi handles HTTPS)
8. Set SMTP server: 0.0.0.0
9. Configure DNS: use your ISP's DNS or 8.8.8.8
10. Set DNS name: e.g., hotspot.local

TIP

If you're using a bridge interface for your guest network, make sure the WiFi interface is added to the bridge before running the hotspot wizard.

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Step 2: Configure Walled Garden

Allow CaptiFi's servers through before authentication so guests can reach the splash page.

1. Go to IP → Hotspot → Walled Garden
2. Add the following entries:

Action	Dst. Host
Allow	*.captifi.io
Allow	app.captifi.io
Allow	fonts.googleapis.com
Allow	fonts.gstatic.com

3. Also add a Walled Garden IP List entry:
   • Go to IP → Hotspot → Walled Garden IP List
   • Add the CaptiFi server IP: 46.62.168.7
   • Set Action to Accept

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Step 3: Portal Configuration (with CaptiFi Support)

Email support@captifi.io with your venue name and let us know your hotspot is ready. Our team will:

1. Provide your venue's portal login URL to set on the hotspot server profile (IP → Hotspot → Server Profiles → your profile → Login tab)
2. Provide any authentication credentials your setup needs and configure the CaptiFi side
3. Confirm session lengths and any devices that should bypass the portal (e.g., card machines or printers)

We'll usually do this together on a short call or over email — most setups are completed the same day.

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Step 4: Test

1. Connect a device (phone or laptop) to the guest WiFi
2. The CaptiFi splash page should appear automatically
3. If on mobile, you may need to open a browser and visit any HTTP site (e.g., http://example.com)
4. Complete the login form
5. Verify the guest can browse the internet after login
6. Check Guest Visits in your CaptiFi dashboard — the guest should appear in your logs

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Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
Splash page not loading	Check the Walled Garden entries are correct, including *.captifi.io and app.captifi.io. Verify the Walled Garden IP List includes 46.62.168.7.
Guests stuck on a loading screen	Check DNS configuration in the hotspot. Try setting DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. Also verify your MikroTik has internet access.
Redirect loop or blank page	Ensure the Login Page URL on your Server Profile matches exactly what CaptiFi support provided. Check for trailing spaces or extra characters.
HTTPS sites not triggering portal	MikroTik cannot intercept HTTPS traffic. Guests need to visit an HTTP site first, or rely on their phone's captive portal detection (most devices do this automatically).
Hotspot not assigning IP addresses	Verify the DHCP pool is configured correctly and the interface is part of the hotspot. Check IP → Pool and confirm the range matches your hotspot network.
Guests disconnect after a timeout	Check IP → Hotspot → Server Profiles → edit profile → adjust Idle Timeout and Session Timeout as needed.
No entries appearing in dashboard	Contact support — the CaptiFi-side link for your venue may need reconfiguring.

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Multiple Venues

If you have multiple MikroTik devices across locations:

• Each device connects to its own venue in the CaptiFi dashboard
• Each venue gets its own portal URL
• You can design a unique splash page per venue in My Locations on your CaptiFi dashboard

Need Help?

MikroTik setups vary widely by hardware and RouterOS version — that's why we set them up with you:

• Email: support@captifi.io
• Live Chat: Available on captifi.io