I accidentally bought a router like that and the app doesn't work! My fancy new router sits there with its stupid spider legs collecting dust until I can find someone to explain to me wtf I'm supposed to do 😅

So much gear is this way now. They make it 'easier' to use, but it often fails. And when you know what you're doing, an 'easy to use' interface feels like the helping hand is holding you back. This is the ISP device, and they are simple users so they don't need anything more. If it was me I'd just set it to bridge and hook up my own router.

I'm a simple man. I see 'Rogers', I know it's going to be a pain in my ass.

Oh man, thats awful 😅 why would they choose such a terrible setup method? You're right, though. So much stuff is like that now. "There's an app for that" has jumped the shark.

Does the TOS require him to use the ISP's device?

Indeed. Putting that feature behind an app is retarded