Easy Setup Guide: Installing Your Airport Express

Setting up an Apple AirPort Express is a straightforward process. You can use AirPort Utility to set up your AirPort Express, which comes loaded with Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) through 10.13 (High Sierra). If you don't have the software, you can download it from Apple's website. You can also set up your AirPort Express using an iPhone.

Plug the Airport Express into a power outlet

To install your Airport Express, you'll first need to plug it into a power outlet in the room where you want to use it. Once it's plugged in, launch the AirPort Utility software. If you don't already have it installed, you can download it from Apple's website or use the CD that came with the Airport Express.

Once the software is open, you should see the AirPort Express base station listed in the left pane. Click on it to highlight it, if it isn't already. You'll then need to complete the fields on the right side. Give your AirPort Express a name and password that you'll remember so you can access it later.

You can also connect an Ethernet cable from your DSL or cable modem to the Ethernet WAN port on your base station. If you want to share a USB printer, connect a USB cable from the printer to the USB port on your base station.

If you're having trouble, try unplugging the AirPort Express and plugging it back in. When the light turns green, it has restarted and connected to the Wi-Fi network. You may need to reset the AirPort Express by pressing the reset button on the bottom of the device. This may require a paper clip or other item with a small point.

Launch AirPort Utility

Once you've plugged your AirPort Express into a power outlet, it's time to launch AirPort Utility. If you don't already have the AirPort Utility software installed, you can install it from the CD that came with the AirPort Express or download it from Apple's website.

When you launch AirPort Utility, you'll see the AirPort Express base station listed in the left pane. Single-click to highlight it, if it's not already highlighted. You'll then need to complete the fields on the right side. Give the AirPort Express a name and a password that you'll remember so you can access it later. Select 'Continue'.

You'll then need to choose a network option and select 'Continue' again. Choose the network you want to use and select 'Continue' once more.

If you're using an iPhone, you can factory reset the device, then go to 'Settings', then 'Wi-Fi' and scroll to the bottom. There should be an option to set up a new AirPort Express.

Connect to the internet

To connect your Airport Express to the internet, you will need to plug it into an electrical outlet in the room where you want to use it. You will also need to have the AirPort Utility software installed. If you don't already have it, you can install it from the CD that came with the AirPort Express or download it from Apple's website. Once you have the software, launch AirPort Utility. You will then see the AirPort Express base station listed in the left pane. Single-click to highlight it, if it's not already highlighted. Complete the fields on the right side, including giving the AirPort Express a name and a password that you'll remember so you can access it later. Select Continue.

If you are using an iPhone, you can factory reset the device, then go to Settings -> WiFi and scroll to the bottom. There should be a bubble that says 'setup new airport express'.

If your computer and the AirPort Express are on the same network, try quitting iTunes and restarting it. Make sure you have the most recent version of iTunes installed. Unplug the AirPort Express and plug it back in. When the light turns green, it has restarted and connected to the Wi-Fi network. You may need to quit and restart iTunes. Reset the AirPort Express by pressing the reset button on the bottom of the device. This may require a paper clip or other item with a small point.

To connect to the internet, connect an Ethernet cable from your DSL or cable modem to the Ethernet WAN port on your base station.

Connect a USB printer

To connect a USB printer to your Airport Express, you'll need to connect a USB cable from a compatible USB printer to the USB port on your base station. You can also set up your Airport Express to play music on your stereo or powered speakers using AirPlay. To do this, connect an audio cable from your stereo to the audio minijack on your Airport Express.

If you're setting up your Airport Express for the first time, you'll need to plug it into a power outlet and launch AirPort Utility. If you don't already have the AirPort Utility software installed, you can install it from the CD that came with the Airport Express or download it from Apple's website. Once it's installed, launch AirPort Utility and single-click to highlight Airport Express in the left panel. Complete the fields on the right side, including Name and Password, and select Continue. Choose a network option and select Continue again. Choose the network you want to use and select Continue once more.

If you're setting up an older Airport Express, you can factory reset the device and then set it up on your iPhone by going to Settings -> Wi-Fi and scrolling to the bottom. If you have a modern version of iOS, you should see a bubble that says 'set up a new Airport Express'.

If your computer and the Airport Express are on the same network, try quitting iTunes and restarting it. Make sure you have the most recent version of iTunes installed. Unplug the Airport Express and plug it back in. When the light turns green, it has restarted and connected to the Wi-Fi network. You may need to quit and restart iTunes again. If you need to, you can reset the Airport Express by pressing the reset button on the bottom of the device. This may require a paper clip or another item with a small point.

Play music through an AirPort Express

To play music through an AirPort Express, you'll need to set up an AirPort Express base station. Here's how:

• Plug 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.
• Launch AirPort Utility.
• Once it starts, you'll see the AirPort Express base station listed in the left pane. Single-click to highlight it if it's not already highlighted.
• Complete the fields on the right side. Give the AirPort Express a name and a password that you'll remember so you can access it later.
• Select Continue.
• Choose a network option and select Continue.
• Choose the network you want to use and select Continue.
• Connect an audio cable from your stereo to the audio minijack on your AirPort Express.

If you're using an iPhone, you can also set up an AirPort Express by going to Settings -> Wi-Fi and scrolling to the bottom. There should be an option to set up a new AirPort Express.

Frequently asked questions