topic Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network? in Network Platform API

How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

ramonsolis5648 — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:37:33 GMT

We recently purchased over 2,000 Meraki access points and created approximately 50 school networks. Each network requires the assignment of 40–80 APs. However, we have encountered a significant challenge: the current Meraki dashboard only allows us to add APs to existing networks one at a time. This method is extremely time-consuming and inefficient for large-scale deployments. While we have explored the "Bulk and Inventory" options, they unfortunately do not support assigning devices in bulk to existing networks. Given the scale of our deployment, this limitation presents a major obstacle. Meraki does not currently appear to offer a streamlined solution for enterprise-level AP assignments.

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

aleabrahao — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:45:06 GMT

I believe you are mistaken; as far as I remember, you can select multiple access points and assign them to a network.

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

ramonsolis5648 — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:55:27 GMT

Yes, we do. The issue is that each network will have about 60 APs, so we end up manually searching for and clicking on each one. We would like the ability to import a CSV file or input serial numbers separated by commas. We have purchased a large quantity of Meraki APs, and adding multiple APs by clicking each one individually is not an efficient method, it is time-consuming.

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

aleabrahao — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 18:05:04 GMT

Try making a feature request (make a wish).

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

RWelch-USA — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 18:09:47 GMT

Give your feedback (previously Make a Wish)

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

sungod — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 18:11:16 GMT

You could create a script to iterate through your list and add the APs (by serial number) to the networks (by networkId)...

https://developer.cisco.com/meraki/api-v1/claim-network-devices/

This call would get you the list of networkId vs name.

https://developer.cisco.com/meraki/api-v1/get-organization-networks/

Given the number of devices, this would also give you the foundation for scripting other configuration details.

Using the Meraki Python library would be my preference, but there are several other options for using the API.

https://developer.cisco.com/meraki/api-v1/python/

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

Philip D'Ath — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 18:21:05 GMT

That is painful.

What is the process to determine which APs will go into each school network?

For example, does someone in a warehouse grab the nearest 60 APs and load them into a truck, scan each AP box with a bar code scanner, and then send them through to you?

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

Philip D'Ath — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 18:25:37 GMT

Are you familiar with the process of claiming devices using the Meraki app on a mobile device? You scan the device's barcode.

https://documentation.meraki.com/Platform_Management/Dashboard_Administration/Operate_and_Maintain/Inventory_and_Devices/Using_the_Organization_Inventory#Quickly_Scan_and_Claim_Multiple_Devices_through_the_Meraki_Mobile_App

Another option (maybe too late for you now), but if you batch your orders when placing them with Cisco Meraki, you get a claim code per order. This lets you claim everything in the order at once and assign it to a network.

https://documentation.meraki.com/Platform_Management/Dashboard_Administration/Operate_and_Maintain/Inventory_and_Devices/Using_the_Organization_Inventory#Co-termination_.26_Subscription_Licensing_Organizations

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

chris.humphries — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:48:36 GMT

There is also a new Zero Touch deployment workflow in Early Access that allows bulk AP deployment where you can use a csv file.

AP Zero Touch Deployment - Cisco Meraki Documentation

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

ramonsolis5648 — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:55:42 GMT

The APs are ready claimed, the closest solution will be using API https://developer.cisco.com/meraki/api-v1/claim-network-devices/ and pip install meraki as "sungod" mention before. I will try python script.

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

Jamiegprice15 — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 21:31:22 GMT

Yes. Totally doable. I *think I used to do that with the bulk upload, but then bulk upload stopped working and we have a script to bypass. jadexing/Merakicode: Code for Meraki Wi-Fi then check out Merakicode/Config_SpreadsheetNetworkUpload at main · jadexing/Merakicode . I try to spell it out for things like this, sharing or using it for myself in the future. My suggestion is to take my code, run it through your fav AI to ensure what it says it's supposed to do. Then test small and then go big.

Cheers,
Jamie

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

Jamiegprice15 — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 21:34:54 GMT

Going over my script, it doesn't go into detail about the required fields for the file. It's the same as the bulk upload file. From my memory I believe it's name, serial number, and address.

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

Jamiegprice15 — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 21:40:33 GMT

And if you're new with APIs, here's a beginner's guide.
Leveraging APIs and Python to Deliver Troubleshooting and Analytic Data for Cloud Wi-Fi Platforms

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

Philip D'Ath — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:33:14 GMT

Brilliant!

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

craig@djcraigah.com — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:56:48 GMT

This used to work fine in the Dashboard. But now when you are adding multiple new WAP to a network, it's more difficult. It used to be that when you claimed multiple WAPs when adding WAPs to a network, all claimed WAPs would be pre-selected to add into the network. This is no longer the case. You now need to claim each, find each, then select them to add each to the network. Much more time consuming.

Is this a new feature request or a bug?

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

Philip D'Ath — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 17:50:06 GMT

I've noticed this as well.

I find I need to find one of the APs, look at the order column, and then search on that order number to select all the newly added APs.

Re: How add multiple Meraki APs in bulk to an existing network?

Ed Novak - Cisco Workflows TME — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 01:03:15 GMT

@ramonsolis5648 Have you solved your issue? What are are describing is exactly what Cisco Workflows (The Automation option on the Meraki Menu) was built to help you do simply and easily.