Apple Dropping AirPort Utility From the App Store With iOS 27

[MacRumors]

Apple is planning to remove the AirPort Utility app from the App Store in the near future, according to the release notes for iOS 27 beta 2. The app is no longer fully supported in iOS 27, and Apple warns that it is not guaranteed to work.

AirPort Utility will no longer be available for new downloads from the App Store. If you previously downloaded the app, you can still re-download it. When using AirPort Utility on iOS 27 and later, functionality is not guaranteed.

Users who have downloaded AirPort Utility in the past will be able to re-download it if needed.

Apple also plans to remove AirPort Utility from new installations of macOS, but users who already have it installed will continue to be able to use it after updating to new versions of macOS. As with iOS 27, Apple says it isn't guaranteed to work in macOS Golden Gate.

AirPort Utility lets users manage AirPort base stations like the AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, and AirPort Time Capsule. Apple discontinued its AirPort routers back in 2018, but has continued to support them through the AirPort Utility app.

With macOS Golden Gate, Apple is eliminating AFP support, which means the Time Machine feature on Macs will no longer work with the AirPort Time Capsule.

With Time Capsule support ending and Apple sunsetting the AirPort Utility app, it's clear Apple does not plan to continue offering updates to users who are still holding on to their AirPort devices.

Article Link: Apple Dropping AirPort Utility From the App Store With iOS 27

 

[EugW]

Dammit. My entire house is still on AirPorts. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to use one of my older Macs.

 

[iAssimilated]

Dammit. My entire house is still on AirPorts. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to use one of my older Macs.

Same.

 

[gsmornot]

Dammit. My entire house is still on AirPorts. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to use one of my older Macs.

I just last month removed my four and went with another system. They were still working without issues but I felt it was time for a change.

 

[asvictory]

any word on ending support for Time Machine on SMB/NAS?

 

[Grimace]

Damn. I used 4 older AirPort Express boxes to do whole-home audio in different zones via Airplay 2. What alternatives are out there?

 

[All Taken]

They had a very good run. RIP

 

[AppleTO]

I still use them for a specialized purpose. Despite the older tech, in my testing they are still have more reliable and lower latency connections for my non-Internet purposes. So this is a drag.

 

[Grimace]

I just last month removed my four and went with another system. They were still working without issues but I felt it was time for a change.

Yeah, I only used them for Airport 2 streaming with an ethernet port

 

[Nermal]

Funnily enough, I plugged in my AirPort on the weekend after a firmware update caused problems with my "real" router. The AirPort still works after all this time (it still had my previous ISP's PPPoE settings in it) but it can only handle around 300 Mb/s.

 

[stiligFox]

Dang. Still use my 2nd AirPort Express for wifi and AirPlay. It was inevitable but still unfortunate to see.

Though I reckon it can still be administrated through an older version of macOS running on a VM, so there will always be that.

Really wish Apple would make a new AirPort - there was something insanely reliable and easy to use about them. The fact that mine has been running 24/7 for the better part of a decade and still works great really says something. The same router with modern WiFi speeds would be awesome.

 

[GMShadow]

What did you switch over to?

Not the guy you were replying to, but I moved to Unifi gear and just have my Mac Mini serving as a network TM server to replace AirPort Disk.

 

[gsmornot]

What did you switch over to?

UniFi. I updated my fiber connection which snowballed into a full system update. My firewall could not route the faster fiber so I moved to a UniFi gateway. The AirPort APs work with the gateway but if you want to see stats, control power, etc. you want to use their APs. I do have faster/better service but it's mostly due to change in Wi-Fi 7 vs 5 and ceiling mount vs a device sitting on a shelf. All in all, I was still happy with AirPort but like I said, I just felt it was time to move on. I had them over 10 years.

 

[Eric_WVGG]

I’m still using an Apple HiFi with an Airport Express strapped on for Airplay audio

🥺

 

[fenderbass146]

Makes me sad, but Unifi has taken over my networking needs, but I really feel Apple could sell a privacy focused Mesh system and kill it.

 

[Eric_WVGG]

Really wish Apple would make a new AirPort - there was something insanely reliable and easy to use about them. The fact that mine has been running 24/7 for the better part of a decade and still works great really says something. The same router with modern WiFi speeds would be awesome.

I want one because I need a HomeKit hub, but there’s no room for an AppleTV in my life, and the HomePod just has all these weird issues and caveats. A new Airport with HomeKit would be perfect.

 

[DailySlow]

Dammit. My entire house is still on AirPorts. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to use one of my older Macs.

Or iPads or Apple TVs?

 

[HMWausau]

Well this sucks. The Airport is still a very very reliable piece of hardware. I use them in production rigs (not tied to internet) and they are simply reliable and amazing. The problem is that the only way to administer it is through the app, not a standard web browser interface. Apple kills the app, then there's no way to make any setting changes. I guess that means I'll have to maintain an old device now with my rigs so I can keep using these things. ugh.

PLEASE Apple. Get back into this game. Make an updated Airport (and express with Airplay support!)

 

[johannnn]

Sure, it would be nice with a new AirPort Express. At the same time, I'm extremely happy with UniFi routers. I have the UniFi Express 7 and it feels and looks lika a modern AirPort router

 

[redman042]

Haven't used AirPorts in a long time, but the AirPort Utility is the ONLY way I know of to scan WiFi signal strengths using an iPhone. Will be a bummer to lose that unless they add a replacement capability.

 

[mannyvel]

I still have a bunch around as my iot wifi and airplay streamers. At least the older iPads will still be able to manage them.

 

[gsmornot]

Haven't used AirPorts in a long time, but the AirPort Utility is the ONLY way I know of to scan WiFi signal strengths using an iPhone. Will be a bummer to lose that unless they add a replacement capability.

UniFi again for this function using their WiFiman app. I can walk around my house seeing the AP I am connected to, its strength, signal quality, interference, etc. People like to make comparison to Apple and say a product is apple like and I think UniFi fits that description. Not perfect, there are things that still need to grow but it's run by guys that used to be part of the Apple Airport hardware.

Edit to add here. I did try the app when I had AirPort devices but I dont think I could see anything so please understand my reply is related to UniFi offering the option using an iPhone for the UniFi APs.

 

[Bokito]

The AirPorts still run fine and it’s one of the best things from the Apple ecosystem that got axed. They weren’t too expensive at the time.

Apple made a few mistakes over the years like the Time Capsule that corrupted a backup after 18 months and the iOS style Utility app on macOS that made it inferior to the old style app and removed some great features.

Router or Access Point setup from a lot of brands still tails Airport by 20 years, it’s a damn shame. Only Unifi stuff works as good and is manageable like Airport was. When Apple got back in the screen business I was hoping they would revive Airport too, but this seems like one last goodbye.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Damn. I used 4 older AirPort Express boxes to do whole-home audio in different zones via Airplay 2. What alternatives are out there?

Oh dang. I still have a couple of these active for the same reasons. AirPlay 2 via optical/analog is a great use case!

I suppose this give me even more motivate to ensure my Mac Pro 5,1 running Monterey remains running/healthy. I don't use it for much, and I had been considering putting it out to pasture.

 

[SBlue1]

I was thinking oh well whatever, but then I realized I still have an old AirPort Express working as a repeater and base for my todo smart heating hub. Oh no! Apple hardware just works, and it's so good I forgot I still used it! LOL!