Easy Guide: Installing A Second Airport Express

If you want to install a second AirPort Express to extend your wifi network, you can follow the same steps as you did when setting up your first one. When you click on AirPort Express, the AirPort Utility setup wizard will guide you through the setup. This will take a few seconds to analyse the network, then display the correct setup for the AirPort Express to extend the network. The setup wizard will set up everything for you automatically.

Using the AirPort Utility setup wizard

When you click on AirPort Express, the AirPort Utility setup wizard will open and guide you through the setup. The wizard will take a few seconds to analyse the network, then display the correct setup for the AirPort Express to "extend" the network. The screen will look similar to the example that you see below, except that you will see your devices and network name pictured. Type in a name that you want to call the AirPort Express. The setup wizard will set up everything for you automatically. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.

The setup of your second Express should be identical to when you set up your first one to extend the AirPort Extreme. The more that you have line-of-sight between the AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme, the better the network will operate.

If you have 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".

Locating the AirPort Express halfway between the AirPort Extreme and the area requiring coverage

To install a second AirPort Express, you should first locate the AirPort Express halfway between the AirPort Extreme and the area requiring coverage. The more line-of-sight there is between the AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme, the better the network will operate.

To set up the AirPort Express, you can use an iPhone by factory resetting the device, then going to Settings -> WiFi and scrolling to the bottom. There should be an option to set up a new AirPort Express. Alternatively, you can use the AirPort Utility setup "wizard" to guide you through the setup. The wizard will take a few seconds to analyse the network, then display the correct setup for the AirPort Express to "extend" the network. The setup wizard will set up everything for you automatically. When you see the message of Setup Complete, click Done.

Setting up the second AirPort Express identically to the first

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 an option to set up a new AirPort Express.

Configuring an old AirPort Express from an iPhone

To configure an old AirPort Express from an iPhone, you will need to factory reset the device. Then, on your iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and scroll to the bottom. You should see a bubble that says 'Set up a new AirPort Express'. Click on this and follow the instructions.

The AirPort Utility setup wizard will guide you through the setup. It will take a few seconds to analyse the network, then display the correct setup for the AirPort Express to "extend" the network. The screen will show your devices and network name. Type in a name for the AirPort Express and the wizard will set up everything for you automatically. When you see the message 'Setup Complete', click 'Done'.

The setup of your second AirPort Express should be identical to when you set up your first one to extend the AirPort Extreme. Try to locate the AirPort Express about halfway between the AirPort Extreme and the general area where you need more coverage. The more line-of-sight between the AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme, the better the network will operate.

Following the Setup Guide that came with the AirPort Express

To install a second AirPort Express, follow the Setup Guide that came with the AirPort Express. This will open up the AirPort Utility setup "wizard", which will guide you through the setup. The wizard will take a few seconds to analyse the network, then display the correct setup for the AirPort Express to "extend" the network. You will then see your devices and network name pictured on the screen. Type in a name that you want to call the AirPort Express. The setup wizard will set up everything for you automatically. When you see the message "Setup Complete", click "Done".

The setup of your second AirPort Express should be identical to when you set up your first one to extend the AirPort Extreme. It's best to locate the AirPort Express about halfway between the AirPort Extreme and the general area where you need more coverage. The more line-of-sight you have between the AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme, the better the network will operate.

If you have an iPhone, you can set up an AirPort Express gen 2 by factory resetting the device, then going to Settings -> Wi-Fi and scrolling to the bottom. There should be a bubble that says "setup new airport express".

Frequently asked questions