Roberta Aguirre
If you have an old Airport Express lying around, you might be wondering how you can make use of it. It is still possible to use an old Airport Express as a WiFi router, and it can also be used for Airplay. However, Apple's policy of not supporting hardware older than 5 years means that it may not be possible to configure an old Airport Express on a modern Mac. To configure an old Airport Express, you may need to reset it and download an old version of the AirPort Utility.
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What You'll Learn
Using an old Airport Express for Airplay
If you have an old Airport Express lying around, you can repurpose it for Airplay. This is a great way to get some extra use out of your old hardware. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
First, reset your AirPort Express. To do this, hold down the reset button while the device is plugged in. Keep holding until the light starts flashing rapidly, which should take around 10-20 seconds. If you are asked to enter a password after resetting, use the default password "public".
Next, you'll need to connect your AirPort Express to your computer. Use a LAN cable to do this, as a wireless connection may not work. Once connected, download the old version of the AirPort Utility (version 5.6 or 5.6.1) and launch the DMG file. This version of the software will allow your computer to recognize and configure the older AirPort Express.
Now, open the AirPort Utility software and click on "Add to Existing Network". You will need to input your wireless network name and password. Make sure the Base Station Name you choose is no more than 16 characters and does not contain any special characters or blank spaces.
Finally, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup process. Once you're done, you should be able to use your old AirPort Express for Airplay.
Note that if you encounter any issues or error messages during the setup process, try performing a Factory Default Reset on the AirPort Express and starting over. If the issues persist, your device may be defective and require replacement.
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Using an old Airport Express as a NAS
If you have an old Airport Express lying around, you may be able to use it as a NAS (Network Attached Storage). However, it is important to note that Airport Expresses do not support disk sharing, so you will not be able to use it to share a disk. Instead, you can use it to share a printer or for Airplay.
To use an old Airport Express as a NAS, you will need to enable the port on the device and then directly plug it into the NAS. If you want to improve the throughput for devices connected to the switch, you can put the Airport Express, NAS, and your Mac on a gigabit switch, assuming your NAS has a gigabit connection port. This will also allow for faster transfers when accessing the NAS.
It is worth noting that some users have reported issues when connecting a USB drive to a port on the Airport Express. If you are using a modem, you can run an ethernet cable from the modem to the gigabit connection port and then connect your devices to the available gigabit connection ports. However, keep in mind that running an external HDD plugged into your Airport Express all the time may cause the hard disk to crash and result in data loss.
Additionally, if you have an older Airport Express, you may need to download an older version of the Airport Utility (such as Airport Utility 5.6) to configure the device. Overall, while it is possible to use an old Airport Express as a NAS, there may be security and speed limitations compared to newer options.
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Resetting an old Airport Express
Resetting your old Airport Express base station can restore it to a state that allows you to regain control of it, especially if you've lost the base station password or the base station isn't responding as expected. Depending on the model, you can perform a soft or hard reset.
A soft reset is useful if you can't administer the base station because you've forgotten the password. It resets the base station password and disables security for 5 minutes, allowing you to join the network to make changes. If no changes are made within 5 minutes, the base station reverts to its former settings.
Here's how to perform a soft reset:
- Press and hold the reset button for 1 second, then release. The status light on the base station will flash amber.
- From the Wi-Fi status menu in the menu bar, choose the Wi-Fi network created by your base station.
- Open AirPort Utility, found in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
- Click the icon for your base station in AirPort Utility, then click "Edit" from the pop-up menu.
- You can now change the password or reconfigure the base station as needed. When done, click "Update".
A hard reset, on the other hand, resets the base station to an unconfigured state, retaining the last saved configuration and any profiles. This allows you to restore your base station from previous settings.
Here's how to perform a hard or factory-default reset:
- Ensure the base station is connected to power.
- Press and hold the reset button for about 5 seconds, until the status light on the base station flashes amber rapidly. Then release the button.
- Wait about a minute for the base station to finish restarting.
- Open AirPort Utility, found in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
- Click the "Other Wi-Fi Devices" button, then select your base station from the list.
- You may then use the device in its default state or reconfigure it using AirPort Utility.
Before performing a hard reset, it is recommended to ensure that the firmware of your base station is up to date. The reset button is usually located next to the ports and can be pressed with a pen or straightened paperclip.
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Using an old Airport Express as a WiFi router
If you have an old Airport Express lying around, you can repurpose it as a WiFi router. This is a great way to get some extra use out of your old hardware, especially since Apple's policy is to "not support hardware that is older than 5 years".
To get started, you'll need to reset your Airport Express. Do this by holding down the reset button for 10-20 seconds while it's plugged in. The light will start flashing faster when it's ready, and the password will be "public" if you need one.
Next, connect your Airport Express to your computer with a LAN cable. Wireless connections may not work, so a wired connection is best. You will also need to download an old version of the Airport Utility (5.6 or 5.6.1) to set up the router, as the latest versions of the software do not support older hardware.
Once you have the software installed, you can set up your new router. This process will be similar to connecting any new WiFi device to your network. You will need to select the network name (or SSID) and enter the password to connect. It's important to note that the base station name cannot be longer than 16 characters and cannot include special characters or blank spaces.
With these steps, you can give your old Airport Express new life as a WiFi router.
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Using an old Airport Express to share a printer
If you have an old Airport Express, you can use it to share a printer on your network. This can be done by connecting your printer to the Airport Express via a USB cable. First, connect one end of the printer's standard USB cable to the printer and the other end to the Airport Express. Then, turn on the power for both the printer and the Airport Express.
To share the printer on your network, your Mac or PC must also be connected to the Airport Express. Once connected, go to System Preferences -> Print & Scan and click the + symbol to add the printer. This will allow you to share your USB printer over the network.
If you are using a Mac, you may need to update your OS X before setting up the wireless printer. Choose Apple menu > App Store and click Updates, then Update All to ensure all your software is up-to-date. Additionally, make sure your printer is set up correctly and that you can print directly from your Mac before setting it up to print remotely. Connect the printer directly to the USB connection on your Mac and print a test page.
If you are using an older version of macOS, such as Mountain Lion, you may need to download an older version of the AirPort Utility (version 5.6) to configure your Airport Express. Newer versions of macOS may not support the Airport Express due to Apple's policy of not supporting hardware older than 5 years.
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Frequently asked questions
First, reset the AirPort Express by holding down the reset button for 10-20 seconds, or until the light starts flashing. Then, connect the AirPort Express to your computer with a LAN cable and download an old version of the AirPort Utility.
If you are using a Lion or Mountain Lion system, download AirPort Utility 5.6.
Yes, an old Airport Express can be used for Airplay.
No, Airport Expresses don't support disk sharing.
Yes, you can use an old Airport Express as a wireless access point.
