How to Enable xFi Gateway Port Forwarding? (Step-by-Step)

If you want to set up xFi gateway port forwarding easily, stay with us throughout this guide!

The port-forwarding of your xFi gateway has been made as easy as ever through the Xfinity mobile app.

Hence, there is no need even to access the web GUI of the gateway to create a forwarding profile and publicly share the port’s network data, so let’s unwrap the entire setup.

To enable the port forwarding on your xFi gateway, download and set up the Xfinity app and verify your device is connected to the network locally.

Let’s investigate how everything is done correctly!

How Does Port Forwarding xFi Gateway Work?

So, before setting up forwarding to one or more ports on your xFi gateway, we advise you to learn more and understand how port forwarding works.

For security purposes, your wireless xFi gateway keeps all potential conflicts and security threats out of the way by closing the ports.

Some applications and particular services available for your OS require a designated port to work correctly; this is where the port forwarding becomes of use.

Note Before Forwarding a Port…

There are a couple of essential notes before forwarding any of the ports on your xFi gateway. 

It’s important to know that sharing your xFi gateway’s port forwarding information to the Wide Area Network (WAN) may contain the potential danger of malicious activity if you’re not careful. 

Port forwarding on any network device is commonly used for:

• P2P file sharing
• Remote PC access
• Phone services
• Email applications
• Video games
• Video conferencing
• Instant messaging

Note: The advanced xFi security protocols allow for excellent forwarding protection!

How to Setup xFi Gateway Port Forwarding?

Notice: Users with xFi gateways can only set up port forwarding through the Xfinity app, and the admin tool is only available to customers with an Xfinity gateway that isn’t from the xFi series!

Here’s how to set up the port forwarding on your xFi gateway in easy steps!

1. Download and install the Xfinity App

Setting up port forwarding on your xFi gateway is only possible through the Xfinity mobile app.

So, even if you have access to the admin tool, you won’t need it to enable the port-forwarding!

Here’s how to download and set up the Xfinity app if you don’t have it installed:

1. Open the Google Play/App Store on the mobile device.
2. Type “Xfinity” in the search field and press on “Search.”
3. Next, tap on the first application and select “Download.”
4. Wait until Xfinity finishes downloading on your device.
5. Open the app once installed and sign into your account.
6. Complete the necessary first-time launch setup steps.

How to Check if the Xfinity App is Updated?

If you already have the Xfinity app installed on your mobile device, checking if the platform runs on the most current firmware version is recommended.

So, open the Google Play/App Store, navigate to “Applications,” and check the status of the Xfinity app.

Note: Your mobile device must be connected to the network locally during the port forwarding!

2. Add a New Port Forwarding Profile

Once you’ve set up the Xfinity mobile app, the next step is to add a new port forwarding config.

All forwarded ports on the xFi gateway have individual configuration settings, allowing the user to specify the exact type of functionality in relation to the added services.

Here’s how to add a new port forwarding profile within the Xfinity mobile app:

1. Open the Xfinity app on your mobile Android/Apple iOS device.
2. Select “Wi-Fi” at the bottom of the homepage’s navigational pad.
3. Choose “View WiFi Equipment” and tap  “Advanced Settings.”
4. Finally, select “Port Forwarding” to access the configuration.

How to Manage Existing Port Forwarding Profiles?

If you have a history with xFi’s port forwarding settings, you can find all existing profiles in the “Port Forwarding” tab.

To specify the settings for a particular port operation, tap on the “Edit” button next to the forwarded IP, and you will receive information about all compatible services.

Note: If there isn’t any forwarding history, the “Port Forwarding” section will be empty!

3. Adjust the Forwarding Settings

After adding the new port forwarding profile, the next step is to fill in the required device information.

According to the device, you’re adding and for what purpose, the credentials required to fill into the forwarding settings may vary and are not always the same.

• To start a manual forwarding settings configuration, tap “Manual Setup.”

During the manual setup, fill in the following fields:

• Type of added device
• Specific port number
• Ranges or protocols

If you cannot create the forwarding configuration by yourself, you can load a preset by tapping the “Preset” icon at the top of your screen and pick a device or a service.

The Xfinity smart app can automatically fill in all required settings according to the device/service.

Remember: Automatic forwarding completion may not adjust the settings to your preference!

4. Configure the xFi Port Forwarding Rules

Advanced configuration settings are available for the new port forwarding profile you’ve just created within the Xfinity app.

With the help of port forwarding rules, you can customize how exactly to publicly share the forwarding profile and adjust the selected port’s network settings.

• The following forwarding rules can be enabled in the “Advanced Settings” tab!

Rule#1 xFi IPv6

Unfortunately, the “IPv6” DHCP rule is still unavailable for forwarding through an Xfinity gateway of the xFi series.

Hence, you will be prompted to use the “IPv4” protocol for your forwarding operations, and the static will be relevant to the selected protocol.

Rule#2 xFi Static IPs

With the xFi port forwarding, you’re no longer required to set up the static IPs for the devices you wish to forward.

When adding a new port forward through the Xfinity app, it will use an automatic address generated dynamically by the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).

Rule #3 MAC Randomization Features

If you set the “MAC Randomization” rule to “Enabled” for a unit you have already forwarded, this may conflict with other rules enabled for the MAC address changes.

Hence, log into the xFi gateway and delete the old forwarding rule if that happens.

The following settings can be turned on and configured by tapping the activation slider on the left part of the screen next to the setting’s description.

So, it would help if you remembered that there are many adjustments and configurations that can be made to an external port forwarding profile.

Note: All port forwarding profiles have separate adjustments and configuration settings!

“Advanced Security” and xFi Port Forwarding

Understanding the essentials of keeping your network safe from unwanted intruders is essential.

There is a configuration that allows the adjustment of advanced security options available for the forwarded xFi port to prevent external devices from breaking into your local network or data.

The advanced security can either be activated or disabled:

• Allow Access: Open the Xfinity app, tap “Security” on the side, choose “Advanced Security,” and tap “Allow Access” to turn on the feature.

• Disable Advanced Security: Not recommended, disables the security protocols for all devices connected to your Wi-Fi or LAN network and may expose the static IPs.

The network device will likely undergo a reboot after activating the advanced security protocols available for your xFi network and all forwarded ports.

Do not unplug any of the equipment while the version of the security protocols is being uploaded, or you may get stuck during the process!

How to Delete xFi Port Forwarding Profiles?

You can easily remove an existing forwarded port from your xFi configuration solely through the Xfinity mobile application the same way you’ve created it.

Hence, removing any particular port forwarding profile will indeed deactivate the advanced security settings for all added devices.

Follow these steps to remove an existing port forwarding profile within the Xfinity app:

1. Open the Xfinity app on the mobile Android/iOS unit.
2. Tap “Wi-Fi” and then choose “View WiFi Equipment.”
3. After that, navigate to the “Advanced Settings” panel.
4. Choose “Port Forwarding” from the available options.
5. Tap “Edit” next to the forwarded port you wish to remove.
6. Finally, select “Delete This Port Forward” at the bottom.

Alert: Deleted forwarding profiles cannot be restored!

Quick Recap:

To set up xFi gateway port forwarding, you must download and set up the Xfinity app on your device, then sign into your user account.

Next, you must go to “Wi-Fi” > “Advanced Settings” > “Port Forwarding” > “Add Port Forward” and follow the activation instructions.

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