A gateway apparatus initiates an extender onboarding process and wirelessly transmits an onboarding SSID; and an extender apparatus for establishing a backhaul wireless communication link with the electronic apparatus, wirelessly scans for presence of the onboarding SSID, and in response to detection of the onboarding SSID, establishes an onboarding wireless communication link with the electronic apparatus based on the onboarding SSID. The extender apparatus transmits a backhaul information request via the onboarding wireless communication link, receives backhaul credentials, including a backhaul SSID, from the gateway apparatus via the onboarding wireless communication link, and after receiving the backhaul credentials, disassociates from the onboarding SSID, associates itself with the backhaul SSID, and establishes a wireless backhaul link with the electronic apparatus based on the backhaul SSID. The wireless backhaul link is different from the onboarding wireless communication link, and use of the wireless backhaul link requires the backhaul SSID.