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

Apple's AirPort Extreme is a line of residential gateways that combine the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, NAS, and other functions. The latest model, the 6th generation, supports 802.11ac networking in addition to older standards. Apple discontinued developing its lineup of wireless routers in 2016, but as of 2023, continues to provide limited hardware and software support. To determine which AirPort Extreme model you have, you can refer to the model number printed on the bottom of the device. Additionally, you can use the AirPort Utility application to access detailed information about your device, including the model version, MAC address, and serial number.

Check the model number on the bottom of the device

To determine your Airport Extreme model, you can check the model number on the bottom of the device. This number is usually printed in dark grey on a dark grey background, so you may need a magnifying glass and a strong light to read it.

The model number will be in the format AXXXX, for example, A1143 or A1521. Once you have the model number, you can simply enter it into a search engine to find out which model you have.

If you are having trouble reading the model number, you can also use the serial number printed on the bottom of the device. Go to checkcoverage.apple.com and enter the serial number to find out if your device is an Airport Extreme or a Time Capsule.

Alternatively, you can use the MacTracker app to identify your Airport Extreme model. This app provides detailed information about all Apple products, including a history of all models, versions, features, and specifications.

Check the part number on the box

If you have the box your Airport Extreme came in, you can check the part number to identify the model. The part number is located on the bottom of the box.

For example, the part number for the older Airport Extreme with 10/100 ethernet was MA073LL/A. The part number for the model with 10/100/1000 ethernet is MB053LL/A. The part number for the dual-band version is MC340LL/A.

You can also use the model number to identify your Airport Extreme. The model number is located on the bottom of the device and starts with an "A" followed by four numbers. For example, the model number for the tower-shaped version of the Airport Extreme is A1521. The model number for the flat or square versions is embedded in the foam pad base.

If you don't have the box or the model number, you can use the serial number to identify your Airport Extreme. You can find the serial number by opening the AirPort Utility on your Mac and holding down the option key while you double-click on the picture of the AirPort Extreme.

Use the MacTracker app

To determine your Airport Extreme model using the MacTracker app, follow these steps:

Firstly, download the MacTracker app. You can find it on the App Store or by visiting http://mactracker.ca/. Once you have the app installed, open it up and locate the "New My Model" function. This will allow you to look up your Airport Extreme by its serial number.

To find the serial number of your Airport Extreme, simply turn it over and look at the bottom of the device. You may need a magnifying glass and a strong light source to read the small print. Once you have the serial number, enter it into the MacTracker app, and it will provide you with detailed information about your specific Airport Extreme model.

In addition to the serial number lookup, the MacTracker app also offers a comprehensive database of Apple products, including historical information, features, specifications, and more. This can be helpful if you want to learn more about your Airport Extreme or compare different models.

The MacTracker app is a useful tool for anyone looking to identify their Airport Extreme model or simply wanting to learn more about their Apple products. It offers a wealth of information and is freely available on the App Store or the MacTracker website.

By following these steps and using the MacTracker app, you can easily determine your Airport Extreme model and access a range of additional information about your device.

Check the serial number on checkcoverage.apple.com

If you want to determine which Airport Extreme model you have, you can check the serial number on checkcoverage.apple.com. This can be done by following these steps:

• Go to the Apple Support page and sign in with your Apple ID.
• Once signed in, navigate to the Check Coverage page.
• Enter the serial number of your Airport Extreme device. This can be found on the label near the serial number or on the device itself.
• After entering the serial number, click "Continue" to view the details of your specific unit, including the model number and other specifications.

It is important to note that Apple has discontinued its lineup of wireless routers, including the Airport Extreme, in 2016. However, as of 2023, they continue to provide limited hardware and software support for these products.

Alternatively, you can use the MacTracker app, which provides detailed information about all Apple products, including Airport Extreme models. The app allows you to look up a serial number and find the corresponding model and specifications.

Additionally, you can use the AirPort Utility on your Mac to identify your Airport Extreme model. Go to "Finder > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility" and hold down the option key while double-clicking on the picture of the Airport Extreme. This will display information about the device, including the model number and serial number.

By following these steps and checking the serial number on checkcoverage.apple.com or using alternative methods, you can easily determine which Airport Extreme model you have.

Check the MAC address

Checking the MAC address of your Apple AirPort Extreme can be done in several ways, depending on the device you're using. Here's a detailed guide:

Checking from a Mac Computer:

On your Mac, open the Finder and navigate to the Applications folder. Then, go into the Utilities folder, where you'll find the AirPort Utility app. Open the app, and it will detect your AirPort Extreme on the network. Click on your device, and a pop-up will appear, displaying the device name. Hover your mouse over the device name, and another pop-up will show the device model and three MAC addresses: one for ethernet and the other two for 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi.

Checking from an iPhone or iPad:

If you're using an iPhone or iPad, you can download the official AirPort Utility app from the App Store. Once you've installed the app, open it and tap on the icon of your AirPort Extreme device. Then, select "Hardware Info," and you should see similar information, including the MAC addresses.

Checking from a Windows Computer:

For Windows users, you can find the MAC address through the Windows command line. Additionally, some networking applications available on the Internet can help you locate the MAC address of your AirPort Extreme.

A Note on MAC Addresses:

MAC addresses are unique identifiers for network interfaces. Every device that can connect to a network, whether via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a network cable, has a MAC address. Some routers and network devices use MAC addresses to differentiate between devices.

Changing Your MAC Address:

In some cases, you may need to change the MAC address of your AirPort Extreme. For instance, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may require a specific MAC address for your network. To change the MAC address, sign in to your router's admin page and locate the Advanced section. There, you should find the MAC Address Clone option, where you can enter a custom MAC address or clone your PC's MAC address. Remember to apply and save your changes.

Frequently asked questions