Help setting up Airport Express with Big Sur

[parrothead]

Hello all,

I recently inherited several Airport Express's and was all excited to use them to play music in my workshop. Then I realized that the latest version of Airport Utility that comes with Big Sur wants nothing to do with them.

Does anyone have any type of workaround so that I can configure these things, or all they all paperweights? I have tried searching the web, but all the "solutions" I have seen are at least a year old and don't work.

Thanks!

My Mac: iMac 27" late 2015 macOS 11.0.1
MBA early 2019 macOS 11.0.1

 

[mr.steevo]

Did you find a fix?

 

[parrothead]

No. I have searched and tried a few things, but nothing has worked.

 

[mr.steevo]

I wonder if the Windows version would work?

Wouldn't that be ironic.

 

[andy740]

I have my AirPort Express (Gen 1, model A1264) working with Big Sur. In AirPort Utility, I got it working by connecting it to the mac via ethernet cable during the setup. It shows up in AirPort Utility (under Other Wi-Fi Devices, Ethernet) and I set it up to join an existing network. I then upgraded the firmware to 7.8.1 which I perhaps shouldn't have, and disconnected the Ethernet cable. Then it should show up in AirPort Utility under Other Wi-Fi Devices, WiFi). It's on the network now and works, but I've had unusually unstable WiFi after I connected it (this may be unrelated or could be due to the new firmware or it could be that the Express disrupts the network somehow)

 

[dodsonmd]

I'm using a couple Express's with an old Airport Extreme as a router. It took several restarts of the Extreme to finally work, but so far seems to be OK. I already had the local network set up before upgrading to Big Sur, which is probably the only reason it is currently working. The Extreme is connected to my cable modem. But you're right, the Big Sur Airport Utility doesn't offer any obvious way to configure the system.

I did notice that after opening the Airport Utility several times, the Extreme suddenly starting connecting. In the Preferences there is an option to "Check for Updates when opening". Perhaps there was some type of update that took place, but once connected, you can click on the device and edit the settings. Not a great situation for these legacy devices that don't have a good substitute, especially for connecting to your music system.

 

[JCM800]

I have my AirPort Express (Gen 1, model A1264) working with Big Sur. In AirPort Utility, I got it working by connecting it to the mac via ethernet cable during the setup. It shows up in AirPort Utility (under Other Wi-Fi Devices, Ethernet) and I set it up to join an existing network. I then upgraded the firmware to 7.8.1 which I perhaps shouldn't have, and disconnected the Ethernet cable. Then it should show up in AirPort Utility under Other Wi-Fi Devices, WiFi). It's on the network now and works, but I've had unusually unstable WiFi after I connected it (this may be unrelated or could be due to the new firmware or it could be that the Express disrupts the network somehow)

Worked perfectly, first time. Thank you so much!

 

[depipuchos]

Hi everyone, i have the same problem, but, i can fix with 2 solution, first.. configure the airport express 1ra Generation with another devices on windows, after en my macbook, download airfoil y work perfect.. i can send my music since my macbook and my airport express recive that..

 

[jayden]

Had trouble setting up AirPort Express (Gen 1, model A1264) from latest iOS and MacOS. Read somewhere to try AirPort Utility on an iPad, and sure enough - was able to set up a factory resetted A1264, and even could update to firmware v7.8.1. Still can't get AirPay 2 grouping working but at least this is progress and this may help others.

 

[TheAshMan]

I had the same problem with my AirPort Extreme (10-12 years old) with the last macOS upgrade or two. It just would not appear in the AirPort Utility on any of my Macs. I reset the AirPort Extreme with paper clip in the reset hole on the back of the device and it immediately popped up on the Airport Utility and I was able to configure everything back to normal. The AirPort Extreme had the latest version of firmware available for it before I had the issue.

 

[linux-mac]

Same issue here : upgrade to BigSur in september 21, no more backup working on my Airport Extreeme (7.9.1 firmware). My Airport is ethernet connected to my home wifi router
I got it to work by going to the airport utility, erasing the disk (it reboots the airport), then asking TimeMachine to create a new backup on the emptied disk (had to reenter all the passwords: for the Airport and recreated a backup password for encyption)
Problem fixed

 

[DSL Steve]

The iOS Airport Utility works fine, even on 15.0.1