Re: No UPnP setting in MI424WR Router?

For you perhaps.   I have to take exception to your blanket statement that it doesn't work at all, because it did not work for you. 

My Router:

Here, it works fine.  It was how I became aware of the problem in the first place.   I had just had the router installed and I immediately jumped over to set up the port forward rules I needed to make some stuff work.  I was astonished to see a whole bunch of rules already in there.  Rules that were specific to services I run on my network. 

So while I can't argue that it did not work for you, (Im not there), that doesn't make it the case for everyone.  I can say with certainty it works (or more accurately, worked)  here..

Regarding the Iphone, I have three of them in the house, not one needs a port forward.  Perhaps that's an app thing specific to what you are running.  I have about 75 apps on mine, they all work fine.   I have all outbound allowed though.. so that too might be the difference.   

Regarding your comment about necessity of UPNP.   There is no good reason to put your firewall on autopilot, ever.   Just because it's used, because Vendors want to try to make it a standard, because its easier for them, doesn't make it right.   And, my main issue here is it on all the time, and the users don't know.  If you need rules made, fine.  Turn it on, let it do its thing, then turn it of.. No reason AT ALL to hide the settings, or turn it on by default.