Owais Crawford
Apple's AirPort Extreme is a high-performance Wi-Fi base station that was last updated in 2013. In 2018, Apple announced it had ended development on its AirPort line of products, including AirPort Extreme. While Apple has provided some post-discontinuation support, releasing security updates in 2019, there have been no recent updates to the AirPort Extreme. Apple appears to have no plans to revive the AirPort Extreme or its other former AirPort routers, though the networking technology may be returning via a new chip for its home devices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of discontinuation | April 2018 |
| Last security update | June 2019 |
| Last firmware update | 7.6.4 |
| Last significant update and redesign | June 2013 |
| Generation | 6th |
| Price | $199 |
| Data rates | Up to 1.3 Gbps |
| Channel bandwidth | 80MHz-wide channels for double the channel bandwidth |
| Shape | Tall and cubic |
| Base | 3.85-inch |
| Height | 6.6-inch |
| Alternative options | AmpliFi ALIEN, Synology RT2600ac, Eero, Linksys Velop Wi-Fi mesh system, Asus RT-AX58U |
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What You'll Learn
Apple Airport Extreme discontinued
Apple Inc. discontinued its wireless router division in 2016, exiting the consumer router market. In April 2018, Apple announced the discontinuation of its AirPort line, including the AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, and AirPort Time Capsule. The AirPort Extreme was Apple's mid-level base station, offering dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, printer and hard drive sharing, and a stronger signal due to its high-rise design and six antennas.
The decision to leave the business was noted by Bloomberg News as "a boon for other wireless router makers", as Apple rarely discontinues product categories. Despite the discontinuation, Apple committed to providing service and parts for the current-generation AirPort Base Stations for five years from the announcement, with limited hardware and software support continuing as of 2023.
The AirPort Extreme was first introduced in 2003 and received several updates and redesigns over the years. The sixth and latest generation, released in 2013, featured a tall, cubic shape and supported three-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology with a maximum data rate of 1.3 Gbit/s. It also included three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, a USB 2.0 port, a built-in file server, and support for AirPlay.
While Apple has not provided any recent updates to the AirPort Extreme, users can still update the firmware using the Airport Utility in the Utilities folder. However, it is important to note that later macOS versions do not support older AirPort Extreme models, such as the 2004 AirPort Extreme 802.11g.
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Apple releases security updates
Apple has discontinued its AirPort Extreme base stations, with the remaining inventory sold off in 2018. However, the company committed to providing service and parts for the current-generation AirPort Base Stations for five years from 2018, suggesting support until 2023.
Apple has released security updates for AirPort Extreme in the past, including a firmware update to address security holes related to remote hacks, memory leaks, and user data deletion. Another update addressed a "Back to my Mac" problem.
In 2019, Apple released a security update for AirPort Extreme, addressing a critical "KRACK Attack" vulnerability. This update was in response to a security issue with Wi-Fi security in 2017, which affected Apple hardware connecting to AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express routers.
Apple regularly updates AirPort Utility, adding additional functionality and addressing security concerns. For example, following complaints of incompatibility with iOS 13, Apple issued an update to its AirPort Utility app.
While Apple has not released any recent security updates for AirPort Extreme, it is important to keep the device updated to the latest firmware to ensure the best possible security and performance. Users can check for updates through the AirPort Utility, which will notify them of any available updates.
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Updating Airport Extreme firmware
Apple discontinued its AirPort lineup in 2018, but the company continues to support the devices with software updates. To update the firmware on your AirPort Extreme, you can use the AirPort Utility on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Ensure that your AirPort Extreme and your Mac or iOS device are connected to the internet.
- If your base station is performing a Time Machine backup or sharing a hard drive on your network, make sure that none of your devices are currently using that drive.
- Open the AirPort Utility app on your device.
- Select your AirPort Extreme base station.
- Click on "Manual Setup" and then click directly on the word "Version" on the summary page.
- If an update is available, it will appear, and you can choose the version you want to install.
- After selecting the desired version, click the "Update" button to install it.
- Your base station will automatically restart after the update is installed.
It is important to note that updating an AirPort Extreme base station will cause it and its network services to be temporarily unavailable. Additionally, if you have multiple base stations, it is recommended to update them one by one, starting with the one farthest from your primary base station. Finally, while Apple has not released any major updates for the AirPort Extreme in recent years, they did release a security update in June 2019, showing their continued support for the product.
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Apple Airport Extreme design
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 AirPort Extreme has gone through three distinct physical forms.
The earliest models had a plastic housing similar to the original AirPort Base Station, in a round "flying saucer" shape. These first AirPort routers prominently displayed the Apple logo and featured three lights to indicate the status of the connection.
From 2007 to 2013, the devices took on a flat, rounded-rectangle shape, similar in layout and size to the Mac mini or early models of the Apple TV. This new design was labelled the first generation of the Apple AirPort Extreme, with the 2003 model considered the "original" that kept Base Station as part of its name. The second generation of the AirPort Extreme was released in 2007, introducing Gigabit Ethernet to the device.
In 2013, the AirPort Extreme adopted a more vertical form, taller than it was wide. This was the sixth-generation AirPort Extreme, which featured three-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology and a maximum data rate of 1.3 Gbit/s, nearly three times faster than its predecessor.
While Apple discontinued the AirPort Extreme in 2018, the company has continued to provide limited hardware and software support for the product line.
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Apple Airport Extreme vs. other routers
Apple discontinued its line of AirPort and Time Capsule Wi-Fi gateways in 2018, with the last security update for the AirPort Extreme being released in June 2019. The AirPort Extreme is a dual-band 11 ac router powered by a Broadcom chipset. It is a conventional router with several additional features that set it apart from the competition.
The Apple AirPort Extreme has been praised for its performance and ease of use, particularly for Apple fans with 802.11ac-enabled devices. It is one of the fastest and most reliable Wi-Fi routers, with excellent speed and range. At over 10 meters, the AirPort Extreme provides speeds of 160mb/s, outperforming the competition. It is also simple to set up if you have a Mac or iOS device, and Apple provides robust support and regular firmware updates.
However, one of the biggest criticisms of the AirPort Extreme is that it requires a Mac or iOS-specific setup process. This is an unusual choice as it means you must use a Mac or iOS device for the initial setup. While the AirPort Extreme can connect with any operating system after setup, it lacks the depth of customization and features offered by other routers. It does not support Time Machine backup or media streaming via USB storage, which can be frustrating for those switching from a non-Apple router.
When choosing between the AirPort Extreme and other routers, it is essential to consider your specific needs and preferences. The AirPort Extreme is a good choice for Apple device users who prioritize performance, ease of use, and range. However, if you require more advanced features, customization options, or faster USB speeds, there are alternative routers available on the market that may better suit your needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Apple discontinued the AirPort Extreme in 2018 and has not released any updates since.
You can update your AirPort Extreme by opening the Airport Utility app and clicking on the AirPort Extreme. Then, click on "Manual Setup" and then Version on the summary page. If there is an update available, you will be able to select it and update your AirPort Extreme.
If you are having trouble updating your AirPort Extreme, it may be because you are using an older version of the Airport Utility app. Try updating the app or using a different device.
Apple has not announced any plans to bring back AirPort Extreme. However, they did release a security update in 2019, a year after discontinuing the product.
