Rebroadcast Mode: ALL_SKIP_DECODING

The rebroadcast mode controls how a node handles incoming packets for retransmission. For repeater deployments, ALL_SKIP_DECODING is strongly recommended. Note that ALL_SKIP_DECODING is only available when the device role is REPEATER - on any other role (including ROUTER) the setting behaves as ALL. If your node uses the ROUTER role, use rebroadcast mode ALL instead.

What ALL_SKIP_DECODING does

In this mode, the node rebroadcasts valid LoRa packets without attempting to decode or decrypt them. This mode is only available when device.role is REPEATER. It has several important advantages:

• Lower CPU usage and power draw - nothe decryption/node skips the packet-decoding/duplicate-check processing entirely, and it never decrypts or re-encryptionencrypts work per packetpayloads
• Works with all encryptedRelays channels whose key it does not have - Meshtastic relays based on the unencrypted packet header, so a repeater forwards packets on any channel that shares its modem settings (preset/frequency), even private channels whose pre-shared key (PSK) - the encryption key that secures a private channel - the repeater candoes relaynot messages for private channels even without knowing the channel key (PSK).hold. This islets essential for aone public repeater servingcarry traffic for multiple user groups.groups, provided they are all on the same modem preset.
• Preserves end-to-end encryption - messages are never decrypted at the repeater,repeater; the original encrypted packet is forwarded unchanged, maintaining the security model
• Faster retransmission - less processing time per packet means faster relay

Setting ALL_SKIP_DECODING via app

1. Connect to your device in the Meshtastic app
2. Make sure the device role is set to REPEATER first - the ALL_SKIP_DECODING option only applies on the REPEATER role

Go to ConfigSettings → LoRa SettingsDevice Find Rebroadcast Mode and select ALL_SKIP_DECODING Save and allow the device to reboot

Setting ALL_SKIP_DECODING via CLI

meshtastic --set lora.device.rebroadcast_mode ALL_SKIP_DECODING

This is only valid when device.role is REPEATER. The setting lives under the device. namespace, not lora.

Other rebroadcast modes (for reference)

Mode	Behavior	Use case
ALL_SKIP_DECODING	Rebroadcasts without decoding or decrypting	Recommended for all repeater deploymentsdeployments; requires REPEATER role
ALL	Decrypts,Processes/validates thenpackets (including duplicate detection) before rebroadcasting the original encrypted packet; does not decrypt or re-encryptsencrypt payloads	Default; used on ROUTER and rebroadcasts	Onlyother ifroles youthat needshould to filter or inspect content (not typical)relay
LOCAL_ONLY	Does not relay to other nodes	Not suitable for repeaters
DISABLEDNONE	No rebroadcasting (only permitted for SENSOR/TRACKER/TAK_TRACKER roles)	Not suitable for repeaters