Apple discontinued the AirPort Extreme base station in April 2018 due to declining demand for separate routers. According to Apple, modern routers are now faster, have more range, and possess more features and capabilities than AirPort products can provide.
Therefore, the AirPort Extreme no longer offered the same value for customers. Additionally, the technology used in AirPort Extreme — 5th generation WiFi — has been replaced by newer 802. 11ac Wi-Fi.
This means that older 802. 11n devices, such as the AirPort Extreme, will soon become obsolete and less compatible with newer technologies. Furthermore, AirPort Extreme was an expensive piece of hardware that required a proprietary network setup.
This can be intimidating for many users, and many customers might have found it easier to simply use the modem and router provided by their internet service provider. Ultimately, the combination of these factors probably led to decreasing demand, and Apple eventually discontinued production of the AirPort Extreme.
Is Apple AirPort Extreme outdated?
No, Apple AirPort Extreme is not outdated. It is an 802. 11ac Wi-Fi base station which supports blazing-fast Wi-Fi across both the 2. 4GHz and 5GHz bands. This means that AirPort Extreme is capable of transmission speeds of up to 1.
3Gbps, making it more than enough for the needs of even the most demanding home users. It is a powerful, reliable, and easy-to-use solution for anyone looking to extend and strengthen their Wi-Fi network.
Additionally, it includes USB ports for printers or hard drives, enabling you to share files or a printer. All in all, Apple AirPort Extreme is still a great option for extending and enhancing your wireless network.
What can I do with my old Apple AirPort Extreme?
One of the most obvious is to continue to use it as a Wi-Fi router. The AirPort Extreme can be used to provide a secure wireless network connection to many Wi-Fi enabled devices, including both Macs and Windows PCs.
This is an ideal solution if you want to connect multiple devices to the internet without running multiple cables. The AirPort also supports both 2. 4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, allowing for faster speeds and more reliable connection when you need it.
If you don’t need it as a router, there are still many other things you can do with your old AirPort Extreme. For example, it can be used as a wireless bridge to break up a large local area network into several smaller networks.
This is especially useful for businesses that need to securely divide their internal networks. The AirPort Extreme also supports WDS (wireless distribution system) to repeat a single wireless signal over a larger area.
This can be useful for increasing the range of an existing wireless network.
Finally, you can also use the AirPort Extreme to provide a wireless connection to an external hard drive or other device. This is especially useful if you need to access the data stored on that device without having to physically plug it in.
The AirPort Extreme also supports Time Machine, allowing it to be used as a wireless backup station to create a complete backup of your entire Mac or PC without resorting to additional cables or external drives.
Can I use my old AirPort Extreme to extend my network?
Yes, you can use your old AirPort Extreme to extend your network. You would need to set it up as a Wireless Bridge (also known as a Wireless Access Point mode). This will allow you to extend the range of your existing home network.
The AirPort Extreme would need to be connected via an Ethernet cable to your existing router. You would also need to set up the AirPort Extreme to use the same wireless network name (SSID) and security setting as your existing router.
Once you have completed these steps, your AirPort Extreme should be able to extend your wireless network, providing you with greater coverage throughout your home.
What is the lifespan of an Apple AirPort?
The Apple AirPort has a limited lifespan, depending on the type of AirPort model you own. The AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme base stations were discontinued in April 2018, while the AirPort Time Capsule was discontinued in June 2018, so the lifespan of those AirPort models has already come to an end.
However, if you do own one of these discontinued AirPort models, they will continue to receive software updates and still provide strong connection performance. Apple states these AirPort models can last up to 3 years before needing to be replaced.
The more recently released AirPort models such as the AirPort Extreme 802. 11ac model (released in June 2013) and AirPort Time Capsule 802. 11ac model (released in June 2013) are estimated to have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years of use before needing to be replaced.
Can AirPort Extreme be used as a router?
Yes, AirPort Extreme can be used as a router. An AirPort Extreme is a wireless router designed for home and small office usage, and is manufactured by Apple Inc. It allows users to connect multiple computers to the Internet by establishing its own wireless network, as well as sharing USB printer, hard drive, or other external storage device.
The AirPort Extreme can be connected to an Internet service provider (ISP) modem via an Ethernet cable to provide wireless access to the internet. It is typically easy to set up and manage, providing support for 802.
11ac Wi-Fi networks, dual-band 2. 4GHz and 5GHz frequency mode, and a number of advanced security features like WPA2, WPA3, and WEP. Because the AirPort Extreme can provide users with a secure wireless connection, it is an ideal solution for homeowners and small business seeking to easily and securely connect multiple devices to the internet.
How do I setup a wireless AirPort Extreme?
Setting up a wireless AirPort Extreme is relatively simple with the right instructions. Below is a step-by-step guide outlining how to do so:
1. Take your AirPort Extreme out of the box and plug it into a power source.
2. Connect the AirPort Extreme to your modem via an Ethernet cable.
3. Open the AirPort Utility app, either on your Mac or Apple device. If you can’t find this app, you can download it from the App Store.
4. When the AirPort Utility app is open, click the “Other WiFI Devices” option and then look for your AirPort Extreme in the device list.
5. Select the AirPort Extreme, and then click “Continue” to proceed with the setup.
6. The AirPort Utility will prompt you to select whether you would like to create a “Wireless Network” or a “Guest Network”. Choose your network type and click “Continue”.
7. You will then have to enter a password for the AirPort Extreme. Make sure that your password is secure and difficult to guess.
8. After you have created your password, click “Create” to finish the setup and create your wireless network.
9. When the setup is complete, you can connect to the new AirPort Extreme by searching for the network name and entering the password you created.
Following these 9 steps should ensure that you have set up your AirPort Extreme correctly and securely.
Why is my AirPort Extreme not connecting to Internet?
There could be a few potential reasons why your AirPort Extreme is not connecting to the Internet. One possibility is that the settings for your AirPort Extreme may not be properly configured. Check to make sure the router is configured to be connected to the Internet by selecting “Internet” from the AirPort menu bar and then selecting “Internet Options” from the pull-down menu.
Make sure the settings for connecting to the Internet are properly entered and saved.
Another potential cause of your AirPort Extreme not connecting to the Internet is the router’s hardware may not be functioning properly. Verify that all cables are connected properly, that all LED lights are functioning properly on the device, and that the router is powered on.
Additionally, try resetting your AirPort Extreme to its factory settings by pressing and holding the reset button on the back of the device for at least 10 seconds and then releasing it. You may also want to update the device’s firmware as well.
Finally, it’s also possible that your Internet service provider (ISP) may be experiencing outages or technical difficulties that could be causing the AirPort Extreme not to connect to the Internet. In that case, contact your ISP for more information on the issue.
How do I find my Wi-Fi password AirPort Extreme?
If you need to find the Wi-Fi password for an AirPort Extreme router, you can do so in a few easy steps:
1. First, connect to the AirPort Extreme’s network on your device (computer, smartphone, etc.), either through wireless or by connecting a wired Ethernet cable.
2. Next, open your web browser and enter the address “192.168.1.1” into the address bar. This will take you to the AirPort Extreme configuration page.
3. Once on the configuration page, you should see a “Wireless” tab with a “Wireless Security” section inside. Click the tab, then select “Show Password” next to your password type.
4. Your password should then appear in the resulting window. Make sure to save it somewhere secure.
That’s it! As long as your AirPort Extreme is still connected to your network, you should now be able to locate your Wi-Fi password.
How do I connect my AirPort Extreme to my cable modem?
To connect your AirPort Extreme to your cable modem, you need to have both devices powered on and have a valid Ethernet cable connected between them. Once both devices are connected, open the AirPort Utility application on your Mac or PC.
In the utility, use the “Create a new network” option. From there, select the AirPort Extreme from the list of available wireless access points and click ‘Continue’. Then enter the name of your new wireless network, a password and set the security level.
Once completed, press ‘Create’. The AirPort Extreme is now connected to the cable modem. You can then connect additional devices (such as computers, tablets, phones and other wireless devices) to the AirPort Extreme by entering the same network name and password.
Does AirPort Extreme need to be plugged into a modem?
Yes, AirPort Extreme needs to be plugged into a modem. An AirPort Extreme is an 802. 11ac Wi-Fi router made by Apple. It can be used to create a wireless network, or to extend the range of an existing network.
Just like any other router, it needs to be connected to a modem in order to access the internet. The modem provides your internet connection, and the AirPort Extreme provides the wireless network which will allow your devices to connect to the internet.
To connect the AirPort Extreme to a modem, you need an Ethernet cable to connect the two.
Is there a WPS button on AirPort Extreme?
No, the AirPort Extreme does not have a WPS button. WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup, which is a network security standard that makes it easier to secure a wireless home network. It’s typically used in home and small business networks, but the AirPort Extreme does not have the WPS security feature.
However, the AirPort Extreme does offer the latest Wi-Fi security protocols including WPA2, which is considered the most secure Wi-Fi security protocol available. It also offers several advanced features to keep your network secure, such as the ability to create a separate guest network and the ability to blacklist specific devices.