I just installed a new wifi system for the whole house (Orbi,) replacing my old TC base station. Can I still run my airport express without the base station? Right from my iMac? I figure this question must be on here somewhere, but I couldn't figure out how to phrase it... Thanks!
The Airport Express can be reconfigured to join the Orbi wireless network if that is what you are asking.
To do that, you will need to reset the Airport Express back to its original default settings and then set it up again to join the Orbi network.
they say an Airport Express will not connect with a non-Apple router.
Not correct. I helped my neighbor set up his two AirPort Express devices with an Orbi wireless network using a normal wireless connection and things work just fine. The Expresses are set up to "join a wireless network", like I mentioned above. No wired or Ethernet connection is required.
Here, I am assuming that you have a recent version of the AirPort Express.......the one with two Ethernet ports (Model 1392), or an older model....the one with one Ethernet port (Model 1264).
My son has a Fios wireless network and has configured his old AirPort Express to "join" the Fios network as well. No problems at all.
In the example below, you can see an AirPort Express that is being set up to join a wireless network provided by an AT&T 2Wire wireless router.
What the Apple Support folks might be saying is that the AirPort Express cannot wirelessly "extend" a third-party router and provide extended wireless coverage......like it can with another Apple router.
Let us know what device.......a Mac, an iPhone / iPad, or PC that you are using to try to configure the Express, and we'll provide a few more tips that might help.
Boy. I've been messing with this for a while now this afternoon, so I was finally on the phone with Apple, and they say an Airport Express will not connect with a non-Apple router. Of course, I can connect it with an ethernet cable, but then it isn't much of a wireless device. : ( In any case, if there is a way to get the Express to run on the Orbi network in the house, I'd love to hear more details!
Oh, boy. I hate this kind of double talk. See, later, when I called again with this issue, I talked to a tech who said you can do it, but that setting it up that way isn't "supported." In other words, you can easily do it, but they're not supposed to advertise that fact. I guess with the intent of keeping everything more Apple? In any case, when I talked to the next guy, he walked me through, and it was almost as simple as you say. Thanks for the help. It takes a village!
Unfortunately, you still receiving misleading information from Apple. Call them again and you may hear a third version of things.
For what its worth, here is a direct quote from Apple's product literature on the AirPort Express:
Compatibility
Not sure why Apple would want to advertise compatibility with other Wi-Fi devices, and yet say that this is not supported.
But, if things are working, it might be best to leave well enough alone. You might want to post on this forum though, if you are looking for straight answers in the future.
airport express without base
