Roberta Aguirre
Apple periodically offers software updates (called firmware updates) that improve AirPort performance, security, and functionality. Updating an AirPort base station is simple and can be done by opening AirPort Utility on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, then selecting your base station. However, some users have reported issues with updating their AirPort Extreme firmware, with some unable to find a button to update their firmware. This may be due to the version of the AirPort Utility being used, with some versions requiring manual updates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons for updating Airport Extreme | Security issues, performance improvement, and functionality improvement |
| Update frequency | Apple periodically offers updates |
| Update methods | Using Airport Utility, updating the primary base station first, using the correct Airport Utility version for the OS |
| Common issues | No "Update" button, issues with Mac OS version, issues with older Airport Extreme |
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What You'll Learn
Updating Airport Extreme firmware on Windows
Updating the firmware on an AirPort Extreme base station can be done through the AirPort Utility. Apple periodically releases firmware updates that improve AirPort performance, security, and functionality.
To update the firmware on a Windows PC, first ensure that your AirPort base station and Windows PC are connected to the internet. If your base station is performing a Time Machine backup or sharing a hard drive on your network, make sure that none of your devices are currently using that drive. Updating an AirPort base station causes it and its network services to be temporarily unavailable.
Next, open the AirPort Utility on your Windows PC and select your base station. If you are unable to restart your base station using AirPort Utility, try unplugging the base station for a few seconds and then plugging it back in.
After your base station has restarted, select it in AirPort Utility to view its details. If you have multiple base stations, start with the one farthest from your primary base station.
Unlike the Mac version, the Windows version of AirPort Utility will search your hard drive for the firmware bundle to load. You will need to manually select the firmware version you wish to update to. Choose the version that you want to use, and the AirPort Extreme will update and restart.
Note that the Windows version of AirPort Utility may not be equipped to update the firmware automatically like the Mac version. You may need to use an older version of AirPort Utility (e.g. 5.5.x) to perform the firmware update, after which you can use a newer version (e.g. 6.x) to administer the AirPort Extreme.
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Updating Airport Extreme firmware on Mac
Updating the firmware on your AirPort Extreme base station can be done through the AirPort Utility on your Mac. Apple periodically offers firmware updates that improve AirPort performance, security, and functionality.
To update your AirPort Extreme, first, make sure that your base station and Mac are connected to the internet. If your base station is performing a Time Machine backup or sharing a hard drive on your network, ensure that none of your devices are currently using that drive. Updating your base station will cause it and its network services to be temporarily unavailable.
Next, open the AirPort Utility on your Mac and select your base station. If you have multiple base stations, start with the one farthest from your primary base station and repeat the steps for each additional base station. After selecting your base station, a details pop-up will appear, showing an “Update” button if an update is available. Click the “Update” button to install the update.
Alternatively, you can click on “Manual Setup” and then click directly on the word “Version” on the summary page. If all is well and you have an active internet connection, options to update the firmware will appear. Choose the version you want to use, and the AirPort Extreme will update and restart.
It is important to note that the AirPort router line was discontinued in April 2018, and Apple released the last security update in June 2019. As a result, you may not see any recent updates available for your AirPort Extreme.
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No Update button on Airport Extreme
If you are unable to see the "Update" button on your Airport Extreme, it could be due to several reasons. Firstly, ensure that your Airport Extreme is connected to a power source. Then, verify that your device is running the latest version of the Airport Utility software. If you are using a Mac, the Airport Utility should display an "Update" button when an update is available. On an iPhone or iPad, the details screen will show a numbered badge next to "Version" when an update is available.
If you are using a Windows PC, the process is slightly different. The Windows version of Airport Utility does not have an "Update" button next to the firmware level. Instead, it searches your hard drive for the firmware bundle to load. To update the firmware on a Windows PC, you may need to use an older version of Airport Utility, such as 5.5.x. Once you have installed this version, you can perform the firmware update, and then upgrade to Airport Utility 6.x to administer the AirPort Extreme.
Additionally, make sure that your Airport Extreme is set up and working correctly. If it is already set up, updating the firmware should be a straightforward process. Open Airport Utility, click on Airport Extreme, and select "Manual Setup." Then, click on "Version" on the summary page. If you have an active internet connection, options to update the firmware will appear. Choose the version you want to install, and the update process will begin.
If you still cannot see the "Update" button, try restarting your Airport Extreme and your device. If the issue persists, ensure that your devices are connected to the internet and that none of them are currently using the base station for a Time Machine backup or sharing a hard drive on your network. Finally, check that you are using the correct version of Airport Utility for your operating system and that it is up to date.
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No recent updates for Airport Extreme
Apple periodically offers software updates (called firmware updates) that improve AirPort performance, security, and functionality. However, it appears that Apple has not issued an update for the Airport Extreme in a long time. The Airport router line was discontinued in April 2018, and Apple released the last security update in June 2019.
If you are having trouble updating your Airport Extreme, it could be because you are using an outdated version of Airport Utility. On Mac computers with OS X Mountain Lion or Lion, use AirPort Utility 6.3.1. On computers with Snow Leopard or Leopard, use AirPort Utility 5.6.1, which supports 802.11n models and the original AirPort Express.
If you are using the correct version of Airport Utility and still cannot update, try the following steps:
- Open up AirPort Utility.
- Click on the AirPort Extreme.
- Click on Manual Setup.
- Click directly on the word "Version" on the summary page.
- If options to update the firmware do not appear, try restarting your base station and selecting it in AirPort Utility.
If you are still unable to update your Airport Extreme, it may be because there are no recent updates available for your device.
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Alternatives to Airport Extreme
If you're looking to replace your Airport Extreme, there are a few alternative options available.
Firstly, it's worth noting that while Apple discontinued the Airport router line in April 2018, many users have reported that their Airport Extremes continue to work well, with good speed and signal strength. However, some users have expressed concerns about security, as Apple has not released updates in several years.
If you do decide to upgrade, there are several alternative routers on the market. The NetGear Orbi AX6000 mesh router is one option, offering fantastic speed with Wifi 6. However, some users have reported that it is not as reliable as the Airport Extreme. Another similar option is the Amazon Eero Pro 6, which is known for its ease of use, simplicity, reliability, and good customer service.
If you're looking for a more aesthetically pleasing router, the OnHub router is a good choice. It has a cylindrical design with several customizable shells to match your decor. The OnHub has a range of up to 2,500 square feet and is simple to set up, but it lacks some standard router-management features such as parental controls and VPN service support.
For those with larger homes or offices and multiple devices, the Asus RT-AC5300 is an option to consider. It offers high throughput speeds of up to 3.1 Gbps and includes game-enhancement options and management settings. However, it is a large device with bulky antennas and may be overkill for those with fewer devices.
Lastly, if you have an extensive network of devices, you may want to consider getting multiple identical routers that can function as access points or bridges. Options include routers from Linksys, TP-Link, Netgear, and ASUS.
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Frequently asked questions
Open AirPort Utility, click on the AirPort Extreme, and click Manual Setup. Then, click directly on the word Version on the summary page. If there is an update available, you will see options to update the firmware. Choose the version you want and the AirPort Extreme will update and restart.
Open AirPort Utility, select your base station, and click on Version. Then, click Download and Install. Your base station will automatically restart once the update is installed.
If you are using AirPort Utility 6.3.1, the update button is not available. Try downloading the iOS version for your iPad. Connect to your Airport and enter your password. Then, tap on Version.
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