Ruth Haines
Apple's AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule are two different products with similar physical appearances. While the former acts as a wireless router, the latter can function as both a wireless router and a backup disk due to its built-in HDD. Although Apple discontinued both products in 2018, they can still be used together. By connecting an external HDD or SSD to the USB port on the AirPort Extreme, it can be turned into a Time Capsule. Additionally, the Time Capsule can be set up to connect to the AirPort Extreme using a wired Ethernet cable connection or wirelessly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can Time Capsule and Airport Extreme Work Together? | Yes, but it requires a wired Ethernet cable connection. |
| Time Capsule Backup Support | Will no longer be supported starting with macOS 27 in 2026. |
| Airport Extreme Function | Acts as a wireless router and repeater. |
| Time Capsule Function | Acts as a wireless router, repeater, and backup disk. |
| Time Capsule Connection | Connects to the AirPort Extreme using a wired Ethernet cable connection. |
| Backup Process | Time Machine backups happen automatically when Mac computers are connected to the home network. |
| Airport Extreme Storage | Does not have an internal hard drive. |
| Time Capsule Storage | Has a built-in HDD or SSD for backups. |
| Airport Extreme Compatibility | Compatible with devices using 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac specifications. |
| Time Capsule Specifications | Includes simultaneous dual-band operation (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and supports Sleep Proxy Service. |
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What You'll Learn
Time Capsule and Airport Extreme compatibility
Apple's AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule are two distinct products that can work together. The AirPort Extreme is a wireless router with other wireless capabilities, while the Time Capsule functions as both a wireless router and a backup disk due to its built-in HDD.
The AirPort Extreme can be used in conjunction with an external HDD or SSD connected via its USB port, essentially replicating the functionality of the Time Capsule. This setup allows users to back up content to the external drive. However, it is important to format the external drive using Disk Utility to ensure compatibility with the Extreme.
The AirPort Time Capsule, being both a router and a hard drive, can create a Wi-Fi network for your home when plugged in. It offers simultaneous dual-band support, allowing older devices to use slower wireless speeds without impacting the performance of devices capable of higher speeds.
To use the Time Capsule with the AirPort Extreme, a wired Ethernet cable connection is recommended for a more reliable setup. When setting up the Time Capsule with the AirPort Extreme, ensure that the Time Capsule is correctly configured with the Time Machine for backups.
While Apple discontinued both products in 2018, they can still be utilised together as described above.
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Setting up Time Capsule with Airport Extreme
Apple Airport Time Capsule and Airport Extreme are two different products that were physically similar. The Airport Extreme acts as a wireless router and repeater, while the Time Capsule can act as a wireless router/repeater and a backup disk due to its built-in HDD.
Firstly, ensure that your eero and Airport Extreme Time Capsule are physically close to each other. If they are not, you will need a longer ethernet cord. If your computer is a newer MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, you may need an adapter, such as the Amazon Basics RJ45 Cat 6 Ethernet Patch Cable 15-Foot.
Secondly, turn off the Wi-Fi on your computer. Then, connect the Airport Extreme Time Capsule to your computer using an ethernet cable. Plug in the Airport Extreme, and wait for it to boot up and appear in the Airport Utility app on your computer.
Thirdly, open the Airport Utility app and select the Airport Time Capsule or Airport Extreme from the window. Press 'Edit', and select the 'Wireless' tab. Find the drop-down menu under 'Network Mode' and select 'Off' to disable any wireless networks created by your Time Capsule or Extreme.
Next, select the 'Network' tab. Under the 'Router Mode' drop-down, select 'Off' (Bridge Mode). This setting means that IP address assignment is passed on to your eero, which will be your primary router. Press 'Update', and your Time Capsule or Extreme will reboot and save your changes.
Finally, disconnect your laptop, re-enable your Wi-Fi, and connect your laptop to your eero Wi-Fi network. Then, use an ethernet cable to connect one of your eeros to your Time Capsule or Airport Extreme's WAN port. Your eero will then assign the Time Capsule or Airport Extreme its own IP address, and the Airport hard drive should appear on any device connected to your eero network.
Once your Airport Extreme Time Capsule Disk is ready, open the Time Machine App and follow the setup process to use your Time Capsule drive to store backups.
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Using Time Capsule as a Time Machine backup
Apple offers two distinct products that are physically similar: the AirPort Extreme and the AirPort Time Capsule. The AirPort Extreme is a wireless router, while the AirPort Time Capsule is a wireless router with a built-in HDD that can be used as a backup disk.
Time Machine is the Mac's built-in backup software. Time Machine is designed to work as a local, primary backup of your Mac, meaning the data stays physically close to the computer and is intended to be the first line of defence if you need to restore your computer.
To use Time Machine with Time Capsule, you can configure your Time Capsule using the AirPort Utility app on your Mac. Once your Time Capsule is set up, your Mac will automatically detect the backup disk in Time Machine preferences as a backup location. Alternatively, you can manually select the Time Capsule as the backup disk when setting up Time Machine on your Mac.
If you only have an AirPort Extreme, you can still use it for Time Machine backups by connecting an external HDD or SSD to the USB port on the back. However, it is important to note that AirPort Time Capsule backups will no longer be supported starting with macOS 27 in 2026 due to Apple removing support for Apple Filing Protocol (AFP).
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Differences between Time Capsule and Airport Extreme
The AirPort Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme are two different products released by Apple that physically look the same. The AirPort Time Capsule is a wireless router with network-attached storage (NAS) and a residential gateway router. It is designed to work in tandem with the Time Machine backup software utility, allowing for automatic hourly backups via wireless or wired network connections. It uses less power than a second computer or a base station and an external drive, and it is inaudible. The AirPort Time Capsule has an internal hard drive, which the AirPort Extreme lacks. The AirPort Extreme acts as a wireless router and a repeater, and it has the same features as the Time Capsule. However, it does not have an internal backup drive.
The AirPort Time Capsule was first introduced on January 15, 2008, and released on February 29, 2008. Since then, it has been upgraded several times, matching upgrades in the Extreme series routers. The earliest versions supported 802.11n wireless and came with a 500 GB hard drive in the base model, while the latest model, introduced in 2013, features 802.11ac and a 3 TB hard drive. The fifth-generation Time Capsule, released in 2013, features a name change to AirPort Time Capsule and a redesign, measuring 3.85 inches (9.8 cm) square and 6.6 inches (17 cm) high.
The AirPort Extreme can be used as a Time Machine backup, but it requires an external hard drive to be connected to the USB port. This setup can be convenient as it allows Mac computers to save their Time Machine backups wirelessly when connected to the home network.
In 2016, Apple disbanded its wireless router development team, and in 2018, the entire AirPort line of products was discontinued without replacement. As a result, AirPort Time Capsule backups will no longer be supported starting with macOS 27 in 2026.
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Discontinuation of Time Capsule and Airport Extreme
Apple has discontinued its AirPort Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme routers, exiting the router market. The AirPort Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme were physically similar products that were released in 2013. The AirPort Extreme acted as a wireless router and a repeater, while the Time Capsule had a built-in HDD and could act as a backup disk as well.
In 2016, Apple disbanded the wireless router team that developed these products, and in 2018, the company formally discontinued them. According to Bloomberg, Apple's decision to exit the business was "a boon for other wireless router makers."
While Apple's AirPort devices are still functional, they do not offer the major enhancements that have been made in wireless networking technology in recent years. For instance, the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule do not support the latest Wi-Fi standards beyond 802.11ac.
Additionally, AirPort Time Capsule backups will no longer be supported starting with macOS 27 in 2026 due to Apple removing support for Apple Filing Protocol (AFP). This means that users who rely on Time Capsule backups will need to find alternative solutions before 2026 to avoid data loss.
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Frequently asked questions
The Airport Extreme acts as a wireless router, while the Time Capsule can act as both a wireless router and a backup disk due to its built-in HDD.
Yes, you can use the Time Capsule with the Airport Extreme. You can set up the Time Capsule to connect to the Airport Extreme using a wired Ethernet cable connection.
First, turn off the Wi-Fi on your computer. Then, connect the Time Capsule to your computer with an Ethernet cable and plug it in. Open the Airport Utility app and follow the setup instructions.
