Apple Airport And Xfinity: Can They Work Together?

Apple Airport Extreme is a wireless router that can be used to extend the range of your Wi-Fi network. Some users have reported success in using the Airport Extreme in conjunction with Xfinity routers, but there can be challenges in setting up the two devices to work together. In some cases, it may be necessary to disable the Xfinity router's wireless functionality or to set up the Airport Extreme in Bridge Mode. Additionally, the placement of the two routers can be important, with some users reporting interference issues when the two devices are too close together. Overall, it is possible to use Apple Airport Extreme with Xfinity, but it may require some trial and error to find the optimal setup for your specific situation.

Using Apple Airport Extreme with Xfinity gateway

If you have an Apple AirPort Extreme and an Xfinity gateway, you can set up the AirPort Extreme to work with the Xfinity gateway. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

• Connect your Apple AirPort Extreme to your Xfinity gateway using an Ethernet cable. The Ethernet cable should be connected to one of the LAN ports on the Xfinity gateway and the WAN port on the AirPort Extreme.
• Power on the AirPort Extreme and open the AirPort Utility on your computer.
• Follow the instructions in the AirPort Utility to set up the AirPort Extreme as a bridge. This will allow the AirPort Extreme to work in conjunction with the Xfinity gateway.
• Disable the wireless radios on the Xfinity gateway. This will prevent interference between the two devices.
• Configure the AirPort Extreme to extend the wireless network provided by the Xfinity gateway. This will ensure that your devices can connect to the internet through either the AirPort Extreme or the Xfinity gateway.
• If you have multiple AirPort Extremes, you can use them to further extend the wireless network. Place the additional AirPort Extremes in different locations in your home to get the best coverage.
• If you have an Apple AirPort Express, you can use it to extend the wireless network even further. Connect the AirPort Express to the AirPort Extreme using an Ethernet cable, and then set up the AirPort Express as a bridge.
• Test your internet connection by connecting your computer or device to the Wi-Fi network provided by the AirPort Extreme or Xfinity gateway. You should now have a stable and extended wireless network in your home.

By following these steps, you can use your Apple AirPort Extreme with your Xfinity gateway to create a reliable and expansive wireless network in your home.

Using Apple Airport Extreme as a router with Xfinity

If you have an Apple Airport Extreme and Xfinity and want to use the Apple Airport Extreme as a router, you can do so by following these steps:

• Connect your Apple Airport Extreme to your Xfinity modem/router: Use an Ethernet cable to connect the WAN (circle of dots) port on your Apple Airport Extreme to an unused Ethernet port on your Xfinity modem/router.
• Power up your Apple Airport Extreme: Give it some time to initialize; the status LED will slowly flash amber.
• Open AirPort Utility on your Mac: Go to your Wi-Fi icon and select the Apple Airport Extreme from the drop-down menu. This should open the AirPort Utility.
• Change the settings: Use the AirPort Utility to make the following changes - select the Apple Airport Extreme > Edit > Network tab > Router Mode = Off (Bridge Mode). Then, go to the Wireless tab > Network Mode = Off. Click "Update" and let the Apple Airport Extreme restart.
• Connect your devices: Now you can connect your devices to the Apple Airport Extreme's Wi-Fi network.

Note: If you have an Xfinity gateway (combination of modem and router), you might need to disable its routing functions and use it as a bridge. This can be done by putting it in bridge mode. Also, if your Xfinity device is a simple modem with only one Ethernet port, your speeds on the Apple Airport Extreme might be limited to around 500 Mbps or less.

Additionally, if you want to use Apple Airport Express to extend the Wi-Fi range, you will need to connect them to the Apple Airport Extreme either by wire or wirelessly. However, keep in mind that wireless connections between Apple devices are proprietary and might not work with other routers.

Finally, if you encounter any issues with your setup, it is recommended to reset your Apple devices to factory settings and start the configuration process again.

Using Apple Airport Extreme to extend Xfinity wifi

Step 1: Prepare the Setup

• Ensure your Apple Airport Extreme is located at least a few rooms away from the Xfinity router to avoid signal confusion and interference issues.
• Connect the Apple Airport Extreme to the Xfinity router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection.
• If you plan to use AirPort Express devices to extend the network wirelessly, ensure they are within a strong wireless signal range of the Apple Airport Extreme.

Step 2: Configure the Apple Airport Extreme

• Connect your computer directly to the Apple Airport Extreme using an Ethernet cable.
• Open the AirPort Utility on your computer.
• Follow the setup instructions in the AirPort Utility, ensuring the Apple Airport Extreme is set up with the same network name and password as the Xfinity network.
• If needed, update the firmware on the Apple Airport Extreme.

Step 3: Extend the Network with AirPort Express Devices (Optional)

• Power off all AirPort Express devices.
• Move the AirPort Express devices temporarily close to the Apple Airport Extreme.
• Power up one AirPort Express device and hold the reset button for 7-8 seconds before releasing. Wait for a slow, blinking amber light.
• Click on the WiFi menu on your Mac and look for "New AirPort Base Station."
• Below that, click directly on "AirPort Express."
• The AirPort Utility setup wizard will open and analyze your setup.
• Type in a unique device name for the AirPort Express.
• Repeat the process for each additional AirPort Express device, ensuring each has a unique device name.

Step 4: Position the AirPort Express Devices

• Power off the AirPort Express devices and move them to their desired locations, ideally halfway between the Apple Airport Extreme and the area where you need better wireless coverage.
• Power on the AirPort Express devices. They should now be extending the network and providing improved wireless coverage.

Troubleshooting:

• If you encounter issues, ensure that your Xfinity gateway is truly in bridge mode and is not performing NAT & DHCP services for your local network.
• Check for Wi-Fi interference from nearby networks or devices using built-in or third-party utilities.
• Verify that your Apple Airport Extreme and AirPort Express devices are not starting to fail due to their age.
• Reset your Apple Airport Extreme and AirPort Express devices to factory settings and set them up again.
• If using IPv6, set your Apple devices to use Link Local Only settings.

Using Apple Airport Extreme with Xfinity modem

If you have an Apple Airport Extreme and an Xfinity modem, you can set up your Airport Extreme to work with your Xfinity modem.

First, check that your Airport Extreme is connected to your Xfinity modem via an Ethernet cable. You will need to connect one end of the Ethernet cable to one of the LAN ports on the back of your Xfinity modem, and the other end to the WAN port on your Airport Extreme.

Next, you will need to reset your Airport Extreme to its factory settings. To do this, hold down the reset button on the back of the device for around 10 seconds, or until the front LED flashes rapidly. Once you see the rapid flashing, release the reset button.

Now, you can set up your Airport Extreme. Connect your computer to the Airport Extreme using an Ethernet cable, and open the Airport Utility. You should see your Airport Extreme appear as a new base station in the Wi-Fi icon on your computer. Select this, and the Airport Utility will start up. Go through the automated setup process, and then use the Airport Utility to fine-tune your settings.

If you want to use your Airport Extreme as a wireless router, you will need to set up your Xfinity modem in bridge mode. To do this, contact Xfinity support and ask them to walk you through the process. Once your modem is in bridge mode, disable the wireless radios on the Xfinity modem, but leave it configured as a router. Then, reconfigure your Airport Extreme as a bridge, and enable its wireless radios.

Note that if you have an Xfinity gateway (a combination of a modem and router), you will not be able to use your Airport Express base stations to extend the wireless range of your Airport Extreme unless they are connected by Ethernet.

If you have any issues during the setup process, you can try resetting your devices and starting the setup process again. You can also try connecting your computer directly to your Xfinity modem via Ethernet to verify that you can get an internet connection.

Using Apple Airport Extreme with Xfinity wifi router

If you want to use Apple Airport Extreme with your Xfinity wifi router, you can do so by connecting the two devices with an Ethernet cable. However, you will need to set up your Airport Extreme in Bridge Mode for the best speeds.

To do this, first connect your Airport Extreme to your Xfinity wifi router using an Ethernet cable. Then, open the AirPort Utility on your computer and select your Airport Extreme from the list of devices. Go to the Network tab and select "Router Mode = Off (Bridge Mode)". Click "Update" and allow your Airport Extreme to restart.

Once your Airport Extreme is in Bridge Mode, you can use it to extend the range of your Xfinity wifi network. To do this, power off any AirPort Express devices you have and temporarily move them close to the AirPort Extreme. Power up one AirPort Express and hold the reset button for 7-8 seconds before releasing. Wait for the device to restart and then click on the WiFi menu on your Mac. Look for a listing of "New AirPort Base Station" and click on "AirPort Express" just below it.

The AirPort Utility setup wizard will open and analyze your setup. Give your AirPort Express a name and let the wizard set up the device automatically. Once it's finished, power off the AirPort Express and move it to a location halfway between your AirPort Extreme and the area where you need more wireless coverage. Power on the AirPort Express and it should receive a strong signal from the Extreme, extending your network.

Repeat the process for any additional AirPort Express devices, making sure to give each device a unique name to avoid confusion.

Note: When setting up your Airport Extreme and AirPort Express devices, it's important to ensure that they are not too close to your Xfinity wifi router to avoid interference issues.

Frequently asked questions