Updating Your Airport Extreme: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you're looking to update your Apple AirPort Extreme, you've come to the right place. Apple periodically offers software updates (called firmware updates) that improve AirPort performance, security, and functionality. You can update your AirPort Extreme using the AirPort Utility app on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. You can also set up AirPort Utility to automatically check for updates and notify you when they are available.

How to update AirPort Extreme using AirPort Utility on Mac

To update your AirPort Extreme using AirPort Utility on Mac, 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, make sure that none of your devices are currently using that drive.

Next, open AirPort Utility on your Mac, which is located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder. Select your base station, and if an update is available, the details pop-up will show an Update button. Click this to install the update.

You can also set up AirPort Utility to automatically check for updates and notify you when they are available. To do this, open the AirPort Utility app on your Mac and select 'Check for updates when opening AirPort Utility' to automatically check for software and firmware updates each time you open the app. You can also select 'Check for updates automatically' and choose a time interval from the pop-up menu, such as weekly, to check for updates in the background.

How to update AirPort Extreme using an iPhone or iPad

To update your AirPort Extreme using an iPhone or iPad, you will need to use AirPort Utility. First, make sure that your AirPort Extreme and your iPhone or iPad are connected to the internet. If your AirPort Extreme 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.

Next, open the AirPort Utility app on your iPhone or iPad. If you have more than one base station, start with the one farthest from your primary base station. Select your AirPort Extreme, then select "Version". If an update is available, you will see a numbered badge next to "Version". Tap "Version", then tap "Download and Install". Your base station will automatically restart after the update is installed.

You can also set up AirPort Utility to automatically check for updates and notify you when they are available. To do this, open the AirPort Utility app on your Mac, located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder. Select "Check for updates when opening AirPort Utility" to automatically check for updates each time you open the app, or select "Check for updates automatically" and choose a time interval from the pop-up menu, such as "Weekly".

How to set up AirPort Utility to automatically check for updates

To set up AirPort Utility to automatically check for updates, open the AirPort Utility app on your Mac, located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder. Select 'Check for updates when opening AirPort Utility' to automatically check for software and firmware updates each time you open AirPort Utility. You can also select 'Check for updates automatically' and then choose a time interval from the pop-up menu, such as weekly, to check for updates in the background.

AirPort Utility will open if updates are available. If you have more than one base station, start with the one farthest from your primary base station. On Mac, the details pop-up shows an Update button when an update is available. Click the Update button to install the update. On an iPhone or iPad, the details screen shows a numbered badge next to Version when an update is available. Tap Version, then tap Download and Install. Your base station will automatically restart after the update is installed. Repeat these steps for any other base stations you're using.

How to check for updates when opening AirPort Utility

To check for updates when opening AirPort Utility, you first need to make sure that your base station and Mac or iOS device (iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch) 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.

Next, open the AirPort Utility app on your Mac, located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder. You can set up AirPort Utility to automatically check for updates and notify you when they are available. Select 'Check for updates when opening AirPort Utility' to automatically check for software and firmware updates each time you open AirPort Utility. You can also select 'Check for updates automatically' and then choose a time interval from the pop-up menu, such as weekly, to check for software and firmware updates in the background. AirPort Utility will open if updates are available.

After restarting your base station, select the base station in AirPort Utility to see details about it. If you have more than one base station, start with the one farthest from your primary base station. On Mac, the details pop-up shows an Update button when an update is available. On an iPhone or iPad, the details screen shows a numbered badge next to Version when an update is available. Tap Version, then tap Download and Install. Your base station will automatically restart after the update is installed. Repeat these steps for any other base stations you're using.

How to update AirPort Extreme when performing a Time Machine backup

To update your AirPort Extreme when performing a Time Machine backup, make sure that your base station and Mac or iOS device are connected to the internet. If your base station is performing a Time Machine backup, ensure that none of your devices are currently using that drive.

You can use AirPort Utility to update your AirPort Extreme. Open AirPort Utility on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, then select your base station. If you have more than one base station, start with the one farthest from your primary base station. On Mac, the details pop-up shows an Update button when an update is available. Click the Update button to install the update. On an iPhone or iPad, the details screen shows a numbered badge next to Version when an update is available. Tap Version, then tap Download and Install. Your base station will automatically restart after the update is installed.

You can also set up AirPort Utility to automatically check for updates and notify you when they are available. Open the AirPort Utility app on your Mac, located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder. Select "Check for updates when opening AirPort Utility" to automatically check for software and firmware updates each time you open AirPort Utility. Select "Check for updates automatically," then choose a time interval from the pop-up menu, such as Weekly, to check for software and firmware updates in the background.

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