Cisco Meraki Splash Page

What Is a Cisco Meraki Splash Page?

A Cisco Meraki splash page is the captive portal that appears when a guest connects to a WiFi network running on Meraki access points. Before granting internet access, it can require the guest to accept terms, sign in, or enter details like an email address. It controls access and captures data at the point of connection.

Last updated: July 2026. This guide covers how Meraki splash pages work, the captive portal API, how to customize them, and how to capture guest data for marketing.

Click-Through vs Sign-On: The Two Meraki Splash Page Types

Meraki supports two splash page modes. A click-through splash page lets guests accept terms and continue straight to the internet. A sign-on splash page requires authentication first, using methods like Meraki authentication, SMS, Google Sign-In, Cisco ISE, or sponsored guest login. Choose click-through for frictionless guest WiFi, or sign-on when you need to verify or gate access.

How the Cisco Meraki Captive Portal API Works (External Captive Portal / EXCAP)

The Meraki Captive Portal API gives you complete control over splash page content and authentication across Meraki MR and MX devices. Configured through the Meraki Dashboard, it supports click-through, SMS authentication, Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) authentication, and Systems Manager Sentry enrollment.

When you host the splash page yourself, this is Meraki’s external captive portal (EXCAP) standard, also called a custom-hosted splash page. Here is how the handoff works:

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1. A guest joins your SSID and Meraki redirects them to your hosted splash URL.
2. Meraki passes a base grant URL to your splash page. Your portal calls this URL to grant the guest internet access.
3. A walled garden keeps your splash domains reachable before sign-on, while other traffic is blocked until access is granted.

Building and maintaining an EXCAP integration by hand takes engineering time. A platform like MyPlace connects to Meraki with a single Meraki Dashboard API key, so there is no custom captive portal code to maintain.

Key Features of a Cisco Meraki Splash Page

Cisco Meraki splash pages combine access control, security, and customization. The main features are network access control, advanced splash settings, and branding options.

Network Access Control (NAC)

Network Access Control verifies that connecting devices meet security requirements, such as having valid antivirus software, before allowing them onto the network. It protects network integrity by keeping unprotected or non-compliant devices off your WiFi, which matters most on shared or public networks.

Advanced Splash Settings

Advanced splash settings control how strictly access is enforced. Key settings include:

• Captive portal strength: set to “block all access until sign-on is complete” to stop any access until the guest finishes the splash flow.
• Walled garden: allow specific domains (like your splash host or terms page) before sign-on without opening the whole network.
• Controller disconnection behavior: decide whether guests keep access if the network briefly loses its connection to the Meraki cloud.
• Custom redirect URL: send guests to your website or a promotion after they sign in, instead of a default Meraki hosted page.

Customization Options

Meraki splash pages can display your logo, brand colors, terms of service, and promotional content. Administrators can pick fluid, classic, or plain themes and set the splash page language to suit their audience. For deeper branding and data capture, most businesses use a custom captive portal like MyPlace to capture email on WiFi and sync it to CRMs such as Mailchimp and Klaviyo.

How to Customize Your Cisco Meraki Splash Page

To set up and brand a Meraki splash page, follow these steps in the Meraki Dashboard:

1. Go to Wireless > Configure > Splash page and select the SSID you want to use for guests.
2. Choose the splash mode: click-through for frictionless access, or sign-on for authenticated access.
3. Set the captive portal strength and walled garden under advanced splash settings.
4. Add your logo, colors, and terms, or point the SSID at a custom-hosted splash page (EXCAP) for full branding and data capture.
5. Save and test the flow on a guest device to confirm the splash loads and access is granted correctly.

How to Capture Guest Emails on a Meraki Splash Page

Meraki’s native splash page is built for access control, not marketing. To capture guest emails and build a marketing list, connect a custom captive portal like MyPlace. It replaces the default splash with a branded login on your existing Meraki MR access points, captures guest emails and profile data, and syncs it to your marketing tools automatically. Setup takes minutes with a single Meraki Dashboard API key, and no new hardware.

Guest WiFi is one of the highest-yield capture points in a venue. Industry data puts email opt-in at 60 to 80% of guests who connect. That list pays off because repeat guests drive around 60% of restaurant sales, and a captured email is the cheapest way to bring them back.

Benefits of Using a Cisco Meraki Splash Page

A well-configured Meraki splash page gives you access control, branding, and location analytics in one place.

• Easy to manage: configure and brand splash pages from the Meraki Dashboard, with authentication options from click-through to sign-on.
• Works across your Meraki gear: supported on both Meraki MR (wireless) and MX (security) devices, hosted by Meraki or via an external captive portal.
• Location analytics: using Meraki MR access points, gather insight on visitor density and dwell time to inform how you use your space.

Cisco Meraki Splash Page FAQ

What is a Cisco Meraki splash page?

A Cisco Meraki splash page is the captive portal users see when connecting to WiFi that runs on Cisco Meraki access points. It typically requires the guest to authenticate or accept terms and conditions before accessing the internet.

What is the difference between a click-through and a sign-on splash page?

A click-through splash page lets guests accept terms and continue to the internet without logging in. A sign-on splash page requires authentication first, using Meraki authentication, SMS, Google Sign-In, Cisco ISE, or a custom captive portal. Click-through is best for fast guest WiFi; sign-on is best for gated or verified access.

Does Meraki support an external captive portal (EXCAP)?

Yes. Meraki’s external captive portal (EXCAP) standard lets you host your own splash page on an outside server, known as a custom-hosted splash page. Meraki redirects guests to your splash URL and passes a base grant URL that your portal calls to grant internet access. MyPlace uses EXCAP so you do not have to build it yourself.

How do I customize my Cisco Meraki splash page?

In the Meraki Dashboard, go to Wireless > Configure > Splash page, choose your SSID and splash mode, then add your logo, colors, and terms. For full branding and guest data capture, point the SSID at a custom-hosted splash page like MyPlace.

Can I capture guest emails through a Meraki splash page?

Yes. Using a custom captive portal such as MyPlace, you can capture guest emails and profile data on your Meraki splash page and sync it to CRM and marketing tools like Mailchimp, Klaviyo, and HubSpot. MyPlace offers a captive portal service for Meraki that handles this end to end.

Do I need extra hardware to run a custom Meraki splash page?

No. A custom-hosted splash page connects to your existing Meraki network through the cloud-based Meraki Dashboard API. There is no new hardware and no changes to your Meraki MR access points.

Can I integrate third-party apps with a Cisco Meraki splash page?

Yes. Through the captive portal API and platforms like MyPlace, a Meraki splash page can connect to CRM systems, marketing automation platforms, and loyalty programs, so guest data flows straight into the tools you already use.