Randy Farnsworth

Q: Using Old Airport Utility 5.6.1 with New MacOS (mavericks & newer)

This has probably been answered elsewhere but I couldn't find it by searching. This isn't a question, it's an answer. If you still have very old hardware that is not supported by the newer versions of Airport Utility, then you're unable to configure or manage those devices, even though the devices may still work just fine. For example, I have a very old Airport Express that I use to stream music to my stereo receiver. It ***** that Apple would do that, especially since the fix is so easy. To manage these old devices, you need to use an old version of Airport Utility, version 5.6.1, which I'm sure got deleted when you installed Mavericks, Yosemite, or El Capitan. So first, you need to find a copy of AU 5.6.1 and put it on your computer. Hopefully you can find a site that has a copy for download. Or perhaps you have an old disc or backup somewhere.

 

But then you won't be able to open that utility because it's incompatible with the newer OSs. However, a fine gentleman has created a launcher that will run a small script that opens AU 5.6.1. Search for Airport Utility 5.6.1 Launcher and Mr. Corey J. Mahler explains it all there. (I can't link to his site or this post will get deleted.)

 

<rant>I've stuck with Apple products for a quarter of a century, but I really hate it when they force up to buy an expensive upgrade when there's no need, or they drop support or features for hardware/software that still works perfectly fine. I mean, I can understand that you can't make a new, modern OS run on a very old computer, but some of the forced upgrades just don't make sense. Why can't the new Airport Utility just support the old Airport Express? Or if an amateur programmer can so easily make the old utility work, couldn't Apple do the same?</rant>

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11), null

Posted on Oct 7, 2015 12:36 PM

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Q: Using Old Airport Utility 5.6.1 with New MacOS (mavericks & newer)

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  • by Paul Mackey,

    Paul Mackey Paul Mackey Nov 1, 2015 1:17 PM in response to Randy Farnsworth
    Level 2 (185 points)
    Nov 1, 2015 1:17 PM in response to Randy Farnsworth

    Thanks for this Randy. Just what I needed to try and figure our which of my devices is chewing up my bandwidth (as you know: can't monitor traffic with the latest Airport Utility). Your post been up for nearly a month now so hope it stays:)

  • by Charles Bouldin,

    Charles Bouldin Charles Bouldin Nov 20, 2015 12:14 PM in response to Randy Farnsworth
    Level 1 (23 points)
    Nov 20, 2015 12:14 PM in response to Randy Farnsworth

    Thanks! Helpful!

  • by goatmasterfunk,

    goatmasterfunk goatmasterfunk Nov 26, 2015 1:21 AM in response to Randy Farnsworth
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 26, 2015 1:21 AM in response to Randy Farnsworth

    Really helpful and the same problem I have. I have just taken a new MacBook Air with El Capitan.

    However, despite the latest updates on Sir Mahler's blog, I can't see my old Airport Express in the 5.6.1 Utility.

    I am guessing Apple have got round it again.

    I will continue trying......

  • by BigMike485,

    BigMike485 BigMike485 Dec 4, 2015 11:20 AM in response to Randy Farnsworth
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 4, 2015 11:20 AM in response to Randy Farnsworth

    It seems as though in 10.11.1 recognizes the original Airport Express in 6.3.6 but refuses to set it up, while Maher's 5.6.1 doesn't find it at all anymore.Screen Shot 2015-12-04 at 2.15.43 PM.png

    I can't see how this problem is anything more than Apple whining that their products last longer then they would prefer.

  • by goatmasterfunk,

    goatmasterfunk goatmasterfunk Dec 5, 2015 1:10 PM in response to BigMike485
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 5, 2015 1:10 PM in response to BigMike485

    I bailed out and bought a new Airport Express. It's working well and I'm using it to extend the 2.4ghz and 5ghz networks.
    My old one was around 8 or 9 years old

  • by Brian Williams2,

    Brian Williams2 Brian Williams2 Dec 14, 2015 12:35 PM in response to Randy Farnsworth
    Level 1 (63 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 14, 2015 12:35 PM in response to Randy Farnsworth

    Not so. Fortunately, there is a solution, and that solution is Airport Utility 5.6.1 Launcher. A Google search will help you find it. I have been using this solution for years. When I needed it today, however, Airport Utility 5.6.1 had disappeared from my computers, and I assume that the recent installation of El Capitan deleted it because it is not 'launchable' in recent OS versions; but it does run, if launched with the app mentioned above.

     

    Using Time Machine, I recovered Airport Utility 5.6.1 from a pre-10.11.x backup, and I am good to go...I just repurposed an old Airport Express - I have several.

     

    In my Utilities folder, I keep another folder that I have named Airport Utility 5.6.1. In it I have Airport Utility 5.6.1 Launcher and Airport Utility 5.6.1. A double click on Launcher launches Airport Utility 5.6.1. As always, a message indicates that an update is available. Dismiss that...you don't want an update. Proceed to re-program your old Airport Expresses. Also, there were editable features that the new Utility doesn't offer (I think Status Light may be one). 5.6.1 enables you to set that on the newer Expresses.

     

    The newer Airport Utility is still the right tool for the newer units, unless you want to change the function of the Status Light.

  • by BobMagno,

    BobMagno BobMagno Dec 18, 2015 8:57 PM in response to Brian Williams2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 18, 2015 8:57 PM in response to Brian Williams2

    Thank you for your post. This was super helpful!!

    -R-

  • by This Schäfer,

    This Schäfer This Schäfer Dec 22, 2015 11:42 AM in response to Randy Farnsworth
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 22, 2015 11:42 AM in response to Randy Farnsworth

    Thanx a lot for this hint, Randy,

     

    i managed to set up my AirPort Express Station (A1088). But when i want to use airplay with itunes it sais the connection failed - although i was in the same room where the wlan router is. I even tried it when the AP was connected with an ethernet cable.

     

    Can anyone help me with this?

     

    Thanx

  • by Susan Howard,

    Susan Howard Susan Howard Dec 30, 2015 5:51 PM in response to Randy Farnsworth
    Level 3 (737 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 30, 2015 5:51 PM in response to Randy Farnsworth

    Thank you for this post. I'm setting up a MBA tomorrow that most likely shipped with Yosemite. I plan to upgrade it to El Capitan in a few days. It's a shame that Apple now insists on making our good devices inoperable. I no longer recommend Apple products to friends because of this. I still use them but cannot recommend.

     

    Thank you again!

  • by Beluga2,

    Beluga2 Beluga2 Jan 4, 2016 4:18 PM in response to Randy Farnsworth
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 4, 2016 4:18 PM in response to Randy Farnsworth

    thank you for signposting me to this. works for me in El Capitan

  • by Beluga2,

    Beluga2 Beluga2 Jan 4, 2016 4:23 PM in response to goatmasterfunk
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 4, 2016 4:23 PM in response to goatmasterfunk

    to goatmasterfunk and BigMike485 - you mentioned that the Launcher application couldn't find your old AEs. Try connecting your old AE by ethernet cable initially. You will then need to tap in the name of your wifi network manually (along with the password) as the wifi networks were not listed by dropdown. After restart I found my old AE was then able to connect to wifi and be identified and modified using Corey J Mahler's Launcher application that Randy has told us about. Hope this helps.

  • by Beluga2,

    Beluga2 Beluga2 Jan 4, 2016 4:25 PM in response to BigMike485
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 4, 2016 4:25 PM in response to BigMike485

    to goatmasterfunk and BigMike485 - you mentioned that the Launcher application couldn't find your old AEs. Try connecting your old AE by ethernet cable initially. You will then need to tap in the name of your wifi network manually (along with the password) as the wifi networks were not listed by dropdown. After restart I found my old AE was then able to connect to wifi and be identified and modified using Corey J Mahler's Launcher application that Randy has told us about. Hope this helps.

  • by goatmasterfunk,

    goatmasterfunk goatmasterfunk Jan 5, 2016 1:24 PM in response to Beluga2
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 5, 2016 1:24 PM in response to Beluga2

    Thank you Beluga2. I actually bailed out a few weeks ago and bought a new AE

    The one I had before was pre-1st generation and around 9 years old........way past its expected life. So, I treated myself (and Apple!).

    The new one is noticeably better and of course 2.4ghz and 5ghz.

     

    Anyway, thanks again for taking the time to respond.

    Good luck.

    Cheers

  • by Alanjryan,

    Alanjryan Alanjryan Jan 9, 2016 10:58 AM in response to Beluga2
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 9, 2016 10:58 AM in response to Beluga2

    Thank you very much for this as I was about to throw my 4 x AE out.

    I've managed to get to the point where the AE restarts but this is where it goes wrong. IT is never found again by the utility and actually it continues to flash orange - any ideas?

    I'm wireless hub is a virgin super hub.

     

    THanks

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