This topic

How do I enter a "supported application" on a BT Hub 3

Laurieo — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 13:45:32 GMT

Hi,

I've just signed up to BT and am configuring my router.

I need to add port forwarding rules to the firewall for my backup software, but can find nowhere to enter the supported applications - there's only options to add rules for devices.

Can anyone advice

Thanks

Re: How do I enter a "supported application" on a BT Hub 3

licquorice — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:00:36 GMT

You just need to enter the relevant port numbers.

Re: How do I enter a "supported application" on a BT Hub 3

Laurieo — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 15:12:57 GMT

Thanks, but in my setup I can only enter ports for specific devices, either by IP address or device name. There's no options (that I can see) for applications/games

Re: How do I enter a "supported application" on a BT Hub 3

licquorice — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 16:20:47 GMT

You just need to know the port required for the relevant application. Entering an application would just be a shortcut to the relevant port rather than entering the actual port number. It's not something the Hub3 supports.

Re: How do I enter a "supported application" on a BT Hub 3

Laurieo — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:09:22 GMT

Thanks for trying to help.

Sorry that I'm being a bit thick here, but the Port Forwarding screen won't let me enter just a port number - I have to add a device or an ip address. It doesn't allow that field to be left blank

What am I missing?

Anyone here use iDrive backup solution?

Laurieo — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:15:34 GMT

As the subj says, anyone use iDrive to backup their files? I'm having difficulty getting it to work ((it was fine on my previous ISP)

Re: How do I enter a "supported application" on a BT Hub 3

licquorice — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 17:19:34 GMT

This is how port forwarding works.

You forward the relevant port for the application you are using to the device that wishes to use that application. You can either enter the device name or IP address of the device you wish to forward the port to.

Re: Anyone here use iDrive backup solution?

Ali_A — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:55:04 GMT

Hi @Laurieo

Do you see any specific error when trying to backup, or does it simply not connect to the server at all?

Ali

Re: Anyone here use iDrive backup solution?

Laurieo — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 20:17:49 GMT

Thanks for the reply.

No error messages but a connection issues. I've worked out that the issue is the router's built in firewall... I had to set up port forwarding (to the specific ip address of a device) and that's solved the issue on my desktop computer, but it still won't connect from my laptop. Obviously you can't forward the same ports to two different devices.

It seems to me that I have to allow the application through the firewall but there seems to be nowhere to do that.

Have I missed something here?

Re: How do I enter a "supported application" on a BT Hub 3

Laurieo — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 20:36:27 GMT

Sorry for the delay but I've been away for a couple of days.

To put this in context, this is my backup software that needs to get through the firewall.

I've set up port forwarding to my desktop computer and the backup software can get through, but that obviously doesn't help my other devices.

I think maybe I need to speak to the BT helpdesk...

Re: How do I enter a "supported application" on a BT Hub 3

licquorice — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 20:50:04 GMT

I fear you are misunderstanding the purpose and usage of port forwarding.

Port forwarding is not required within your network.

Port forwarding is to allow external devices/apps/ games etc to access a device on your internal network.

All your devices connected to your network are within the firewall.

Re: How do I enter a "supported application" on a BT Hub 3

licquorice — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 20:54:15 GMT

If you are backing up your devices to an external device/cloud, that is an outbound connection and doesn't require port forwarding which is only required for inbound unsolicited connections.

Re: How do I enter a "supported application" on a BT Hub 3

Laurieo — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 06:55:19 GMT

Hi,

Yes I'm sure that I don't fully understand about port forwarding, but when a backup is initiated by my software, the first thing it does is get a load of meta-data (from the backup server) about all the files in my backup sets so it can decide which files have changed and needs backing up.

So, the initial operating is an incoming connection, and that's what's being blocked.

Re: How do I enter a "supported application" on a BT Hub 3

licquorice — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 07:42:36 GMT

No, it isn't. The initial connection is outbound from your backup software to which the backup server responds. It is not an unsolicited connection from the server.

Not sure what the problem is, but port forwarding is not the answer.

Re: How do I enter a "supported application" on a BT Hub 3

Laurieo — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 09:14:34 GMT

You are right, that I don't really understand about port forwarding. However, I forwarded those two ports to my desktop computer and the backup software started working.

Anyway, I'm in discussions with the support peops at the backup software company (iDrive) and may need to talk to the BT people.

Thanks for your comments