New router/modem and connecting devices

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95% of devices will transition fine just like you mentioned.

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That may have worked at one time, but it really doesn’t anymore. I tried the same thing recently and every device on my network wasn’t fooled. They knew it was a different network, despite all the settings being identical.

It was a basic SSID with WPA2 on my Ubiquiti gear. I took the opportunity to change SSID names, add WPA2/WPA3 on the primary SSID, then create a WPA3 only SSID with MLO for devices that support it.

Seems like creating a new network with the same SSID/PW shouldn't work. Otherwise, devices are very open to MITM attacks.

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That may have worked at one time, but it really doesn’t anymore. I tried the same thing recently and every device on my network wasn’t fooled. They knew it was a different network, despite all the settings being identical.

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It still works every time I do it, whether I use Ubiquiti gear or something else, and it doesn't matter which way I'm swapping.

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That may have worked at one time, but it really doesn’t anymore.

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It's also worked for me every time I've changed or updated a router/access point (and I've got 4 of them in a approx 4,500 sq ft house.)

Sounds like you're missing something subtle.

The obvious solution for the OP is to try what they want to do. If it works, great, you're done. If not, then comeback and the group can help troubleshoot...

I popped the OP's question into chatgtp....

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Yes — in most cases, your devices will automatically reconnect ??
If you do the following, they’ll see the new router as if it were the old one:

What must match exactly

For each band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz):

SSID (Wi-Fi name) – character-for-character identical
Password – identical (case-sensitive)
Security type – ideally the same (e.g., WPA2-PSK or WPA2/WPA3)

If those match, phones, laptops, smart TVs, plugs, cameras, etc. should reconnect without any action on your part.

Important details to watch out for

These are the common reasons devices don’t reconnect:

Security mode changed
Old router: WPA2 only
New router: WPA3 or WPA2/WPA3 mixed
Some older IoT devices cannot connect to WPA3.

Recommendation: Set security to WPA2-PSK (AES) if you have smart devices.

Band behavior

If you previously had separate SSIDs (e.g., MyWiFi_2G and MyWiFi_5G), keep them separate.

If the new router uses band steering (single SSID), most devices will still connect — but a few older ones may struggle.

Hidden SSID

If the old network was hidden and the new one is not (or vice versa), some devices may fail to auto-connect.

MAC address filtering

If enabled on the old router and not replicated, connections may fail.

Best-practice setup for easiest transition

Set 2.4 GHz SSID = old 2.4 GHz name

Set 5 GHz SSID = old 5 GHz name

Use the exact same passwords

Set security to WPA2-PSK (AES)

Do not enable WPA3 unless you’re sure all devices support it

What devices reconnect almost 100% of the time

Phones & tablets
Laptops
Streaming devices (Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV)
Game consoles

Devices most likely to need manual reconnect

Older smart plugs/bulbs
Printers
Older cameras

Legacy IoT devices (2.4 GHz only)

Pro tip

Do NOT factory-reset your devices until after you test.
Most people find that 90–95% reconnect automatically when SSID/password/security match.

If you want, tell me:

Old router model

New router model

…and I can tell you exactly which settings to mirror for the smoothest swap.

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