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Apple Dropping AirPort Utility From the App Store With iOS 27

Padre_Pio said:
Could you let us in on your alternative system? I have been looking for a wireless Time Machine system to back up two Mac laptops.
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I answered a bit further down but I went with UniFi and I have a UNAS2 that includes Time Machine integration. The larger units will do that as well but I felt like the two drive unit was enough for me. I really dont have that much data and its just a backup to my other backup solutions.
 
I think if Steve had not passed away the TC and AE would still be around and modernized in the keynote where Apple introduced wireless to the world you could tell it was one of his crowning glories.
 
This is my current setup.

Screenshot 2026-06-22 at 8.44.20 PM.png


The AirPort Express 2nd from the left without the green dot still works. However, it's so old that this version of AirPort Utility doesn't support it. I have it for audio, via wired Ethernet and optical audio out, although I suppose I could finally remove that one since it rarely gets used these days.

The Cabane one is in my backyard shed, and the Gaz one is in my backyard gazebo. They've been outside there for years, and survive both the hot summers and our Canadian winters just fine.
 
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This is really annoying news, and quite unnecessary of Apple given its resources. While my house has Ethernet cable for desktops and AppleTV, I rely on AirPort Expresses and Extremes to provide the WiFi for phones and laptops and to stream music to my HiFi.

As Apple has developed its own WiFi chips for its phones and incorporation in HomePods, it would be trivial for Ternus and Apple to create a new generation of devices that add mesh networking and newer WiFi speeds, while also incorporating privacy protections and keeping the great ease-of-use management that the AirPort Utility app provides. Seriously, leaving money on the table.
 
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What a cheap shot from Apple... I'm still using an extreme as my router and it's working perfectly, guess I won't be upgrading as I do not plan to change it while it still works.
 
EugW said:
Dammit. My entire house is still on AirPorts. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to use one of my older Macs.
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Up until last year, we were still using a last-generation Extreme and a few Expresses. They were solid, reliable hardware that worked significantly better than almost all of their contemporaries.

But, when we had the chance to up our home internet to 2.5G down / 300M up, I took the plunge and got some TP-Link devices. They rely on their own app, like the Airports did; but they also work extremely well and as a mesh network they're very simple to set up (as long as you pack your patience; it can take several minutes for new secondary APs to sort themselves out initially). I also love that they can use a wired backhaul network if you want to deploy one (which I did).
 
Time Machine and AirPort Extreme easy back up in your home which is controlled by You (user) and you doesn’t need to pay any subscription to iCloud . What a days it were … I bet, why Apple stop to work on the routers? They easy can afford it - but who need a secure router in this AI spying world
 
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boast said:
Guess I need to buy an android just for WiFi spectrum scanning
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Just get a Samsung a16. I got mine at target for like $50. You could probably pick up one for less on eBay. The a16 comes with years of updates, unlike other manufacturers.
 
Here is what Apple Support says about this ( I understand that they might not have all the info available as it is a rather fresh news)

"Also, I've just crossed checked with the internal team and I want to let you know if you're using the airport uitlity on Mac OS then you still be able to use it after Mac OS 27 release and same goes for iOS 27 as well."
 
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I loved my airports, but SOOOOO outdated now.

Moved to Unifi years ago. Awesome kit and amazing UI and Extensibility. Even their Cheapest home stuff far out performs Airports. Dream router 7 / Unifi Express 7* / Ultra all great.

*Not the UX6 - that was terrible ( and lasted about 1 year on sale )
 
Grimace said:
Damn. I used 4 older AirPort Express boxes to do whole-home audio in different zones via Airplay 2. What alternatives are out there?
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They will still work. Apple don't brick kit. it's only the setup app that won't be available for new apple OS... just use an older device if you have one. I have a few old iPads that can't be updates now - the app is already in my account so I can download it if needed.
 
stiligFox said:
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.
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It "says" that they over engineered the product to make it incredibly good and now they need to get rid of that to sell you on something else lol corporate greed at it's finest.
 
mannyvel said:
Where is it? I've never seen anything that looks like a wifi scanner in the app, and I'm looking at it right now.
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In settings, open the AirPort Utility and turn on the Wi-Fi scanner feature. Then once you're back in the app, it will be on the top right.
 
fenderbass146 said:
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.
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Or even a non mesh option for those of us in smaller places where it simply isn't needed.

But if going mesh, it's so bizarre to me that they don't see how it could all work together.

A main Apple Airport and Apple TV's & Homepods (and perhaps other devices) as mesh nodes.
 
Sad to see the remnants of Apple networking disappear. Apple networking was my first step into an actual good network and I relied heavily on it for YEARS. It NEVER gave me issues and it far surpassed anything consumer based that I tried. It was so good I never longed for more. Once they discontinued it though, I switched to Unifi.
 
turbineseaplane said:
Or even a non mesh option for those of us in smaller places where it simply isn't needed.

But if going mesh, it's so bizarre to me that they don't see how it could all work together.

A main Apple Airport and Apple TV's & Homepods (and perhaps other devices) as mesh nodes.
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The AirPorts already support pseudo-mesh functionality with Apple devices. That's why I've stuck with them this long. All our Apple devices, including the latest iPhones, iPads, and Macs, roam seamlessly amongst my numerous AirPorts in the house.

This seamless roaming does NOT work with Windows, Linux, Android, or other OSes, but I don't really care because almost all my non-Apple WiFi client devices are stationary anyway (eg. security cameras, TVs, etc.). The only non-stationary non-Apple WiFi client we have is a Switch 2.
 
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