Google On app gets renamed to Google WiFi ahead of router launch

In October, Google announced a new router hardware product, called simply Google WiFi. Today, a few days before the first shipments of the $129 device are scheduled to begin on December 6, the company is rolling out an update to its previous WiFi remote router control app Google On, renaming it as Google WiFi.

The Google On app was first launched in 2015, alongside the first Google OnHub WiFi router, which was made and marketed by TP-Link (another such OnHub router was later launched by ASUS). Basically, it allowed users to remotely control those routers with their smartphone. However, Google has quickly abandoned their third-party OnHub strategy in favor of their own Google WiFi hardware they sell themselves. It makes sense to rename the app to Google WiFi.

Along with the name change, the user interface of the app has been refreshed, adding three tabs on top that they say offer better access to its features. If you still own a Google OnHub router, the app will continue to work with it even with the name and UI changes. Google has previously confirmed that OnHub routers are also compatible with the new Google WiFi hardware, which will let owners add more devices so the wireless signal can cover a wide amount of space with its mesh technology. All of the routers are designed to work together to ensure a stable WiFi connection.

The update to the app has apparently just started to roll out, so it may not be available yet to most Android owners. It will likely take a few days to make its way to all users.