Build a Raspberry Pi WiFi Router with RaspAP

Over the years, many of us end up with spare Raspberry Pi boards sitting unused in drawers. Instead of letting them collect dust, this project shows how to give them a practical second life by turning a Raspberry Pi into a fully functional WiFi router with network-wide ad blocking. 

Using RaspAP’s pre-built image, you can quickly convert a Raspberry Pi into a Raspberry Pi WiFi Router with RaspAP  making it wireless hotspot that shares internet access and blocks ads at the DNS level. The result is a compact router that works for laptops, phones, smart TVs, and IoT devices—without installing ad blockers on each device. Since the Pi can also run from a power bank, it doubles as a portable travel router, making it ideal for hotels, hostels, or road trips.

Why Use RaspAP Instead of OpenWrt?

OpenWrt is powerful and highly configurable, but on a Raspberry Pi it often requires extensive manual setup. RaspAP, on the other hand, is designed specifically for Raspberry Pi users who want quick results.

RaspAP provides:

• A clean, modern web interface
• Sensible default settings
• A pre-built image that works out of the box

With RaspAP, you can have a working Raspberry Pi WiFi router running in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for beginners and hobbyists.

Components Required

To build this Raspberry Pi WiFi router, you’ll need:

• Raspberry Pi (Pi 3, Pi 4, or Pi 5 recommended)
• microSD card (8GB or larger)
• Stable power supply
• Ethernet cable or upstream WiFi connection
• PC or laptop for flashing the SD card

Optional additions like a USB WiFi dongle or USB phone tethering can further expand functionality.

Understanding Raspberry Pi Network Interfaces

RaspAP uses standard Linux network interfaces, making the setup flexible:

• eth0 – Internet input via Ethernet
• wlan0 – Built-in WiFi used as hotspot
• wlan1 – Optional USB WiFi adapter for repeater mode
• usb0 – Mobile data via USB tethering

A common setup uses Ethernet as the internet source and the built-in WiFi to broadcast the hotspot.

Setting Up the Raspberry Pi WiFi Router

Flashing the RaspAP Image

Start by flashing the RaspAP pre-built image onto a microSD card using Raspberry Pi Imager. Insert the card into the Pi and power it on.

After booting, the Pi automatically creates a WiFi network. Connect to it using the default credentials.

Accessing the Web Dashboard

Once connected, open a browser and access the RaspAP web dashboard. From here, you can manage hotspot settings, view connected devices, and monitor bandwidth—just like a commercial router.

Customising WiFi Settings

Change the default WiFi name and password, select the appropriate country code, and choose a less congested WiFi channel to improve performance and reliability.

Enabling Network-Wide Ad Blocking

One of the standout features of RaspAP is its DNS-based ad blocking. Unlike browser extensions, this blocks ads before they even reach connected devices.

Once enabled:

• Ads are blocked across phones, laptops, TVs, and consoles
• Tracking domains are filtered automatically
• No extra software is needed on client devices

This approach works even where browser-based blockers struggle, such as smart TVs or mobile apps.

Real-World Performance

While it won’t replace a high-end WiFi 6 router, a Raspberry Pi WiFi router performs surprisingly well for everyday use. For home labs, small networks, or travel scenarios, it offers stable speeds with the added benefit of ad blocking and monitoring.

These features make RaspAP suitable not just as a hotspot, but also as a learning platform for networking.

This Raspberry Pi WiFi Router with RaspAP  setup  is a great way to reuse old hardware and explore practical networking concepts. With RaspAP, setting up a router with ad blocking, monitoring, and VPN support becomes accessible even to beginners.

Whether you use it as a travel router, secondary home network, or learning tool, RaspAP transforms the Raspberry Pi into something far more useful than its size suggests. It’s a simple project with real-world value - and a perfect example of how much potential still lies in these tiny boards.