Apple Airport Express: Easy Connection Guide

Apple's AirPort Express is a Wi-Fi base station that allows you to wirelessly connect devices like speakers or printers to other computers. It can be connected to an existing Wi-Fi network, or via Ethernet, and can provide wireless internet access for up to 10 users. Once set up, the AirPort Express will connect to your home network router and can share that connection with up to 10 wireless devices.

Connecting to an existing Wi-Fi network

If you want to connect your Apple Airport Express to an existing Wi-Fi network, you'll first need to plug it into an electrical outlet in the room where you want to use it. You'll also need to make sure you have the Airport Utility software installed on your iPhone, Mac or PC. If you're using an Apple router, such as the Airport Extreme, you should already have this installed. If not, you can install it from the CD that came with the Airport Express or download it from Apple's website.

Once you've done this, you can choose whether you're connecting the AirPort Express to an existing Wi-Fi network, replacing another, or connecting via Ethernet. Select an option and then select Continue. A list of the available wireless networks will display. Select the appropriate network and click Continue. When the changed settings are saved, the AirPort Express will restart. Once it restarts, the AirPort Express will appear in the AirPort Utility window with the new name. It is now ready to use.

The AirPort Express can share its wireless connection with up to 10 wireless devices, allowing all of them to connect to your home network. You can also use AirPrint to wirelessly print documents to printers in other rooms. Security-wise, you can set the Express to use WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2, 40-bit or 128-bit Wireless Security (WEP) and MAC address filtering.

Connecting via Ethernet

To connect your Apple Airport Express via Ethernet, you will need to connect the Ethernet cable from the LAN -> Ethernet port on the "main" Express to the Ethernet port on the extending Express. Then, use the AirPort Utility setup "wizard" or "helper" to configure the A1264 Express to extend using Ethernet. To start the setup wizard, click on the WiFi menu at the top of your Mac's screen and look for a listing of New AirPort Base Station. Click directly on AirPort Express under that listing and follow the prompts. When you click on AirPort Express, the setup wizard will take a few seconds to analyse the network and then display a screen with your devices pictured and the network name displayed.

If you are using an iPhone or iPad for the setup, go to the Home Screen, then tap Settings. Tap on WiFi and look for a listing of Set Up New AirPort Base Station. Tap on AirPort Express and follow the prompts.

If you are connecting a printer, move the Express to the desired location, power it back up, and connect your printer to the Ethernet port on the Airport Express. You may need to power cycle the entire network to get everything working correctly.

Note that the Airport Express cannot “extend” or “repeat” the FiOS wireless network, since the “extend” function requires that the Express receive a wireless signal from another Apple wireless router.

Setting up AirPort Utility

To set up AirPort Utility, you'll need to install the software on your iPhone, Mac or PC. If you have an Apple router, such as the Airport Extreme, you will already have the AirPort Utility installed on your computer. If not, you can install it from the CD that came with the AirPort Express or download it from Apple's website.

Once you have the AirPort Utility software, you can connect the AirPort Express to an existing Wi-Fi network, replace another, or connect via Ethernet. You can then select the appropriate network and click 'Continue'. When the changed settings are saved, the AirPort Express will restart and appear in the AirPort Utility window with the new name. It is now ready to use.

You can also use AirPort Express to connect any home speaker to a single iTunes library, creating a wireless home music network. You can also use AirPrint to wirelessly print documents to printers in other rooms.

Security-wise, you can set the Express to use WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2, 40-bit or 128-bit Wireless Security (WEP) and MAC address filtering.

Connecting to a home speaker

Apple's AirPort Express Wi-Fi base station lets you wirelessly share devices like speakers or printers with other computers. To connect to a home speaker, start by plugging the AirPort Express into an electrical outlet in the room where you want to use it. If you don't already have the AirPort Utility software installed, install it from the CD that came with the AirPort Express or download it from Apple's website.

You can then connect any home speaker to a single iTunes library, creating a wireless home music network. If you're connecting the AirPort Express to an existing Wi-Fi network, select that option and then select Continue. A list of the available wireless networks will display. Select the appropriate network and click Continue. When the changed settings are saved, the AirPort Express restarts. Once it restarts, the AirPort Express appears in the AirPort Utility window with the new name. It is now ready to use.

The AirPort Express will wirelessly connect to your home network router. It can share that wireless connection with up to 10 wireless devices, allowing all of them to connect to your home network. Security-wise, you can set the Express to use WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) or WPA2, 40-bit or 128-bit Wireless Security (WEP) and MAC address filtering.

Connecting to a printer

Apple's AirPort Express Wi-Fi base station lets you wirelessly share devices like speakers or printers with other computers. To connect to a printer, start by plugging the AirPort Express into an electrical outlet in the room where you want to use it. If you don't already have the AirPort Utility software installed, install it from the CD that came with the AirPort Express or download it from Apple's website. Then, connect AirPort to your DSL (direct subscriber line) or cable modem, or your Ethernet network. Plug it into a printer via the USB cable, and any of the 10 users connected to the AirPort Express will be able to print documents wirelessly.

You can also use AirPrint to wirelessly print documents to printers in other rooms. To set up the Airport Express, you'll need to run the Airport Utility on your iPhone, Mac, or PC. If you use an Apple router, such as the Airport Extreme, you already have the Airport Utility installed on your computer. If you are using an Airport Extreme, install the Airport Utility on your Mac or PC and it will walk you through the steps to get your Airport Express up and running and extend your network to the Airport Express.

Frequently asked questions