User profile for user: Jayme Halbritter
Jayme Halbritter Author
User level: Level 1
17 points

Can you use AirPort Express to extend wi-fi with a non-apple router?

I've been hunting and pecking, and trying a bunch of different things, but I'm gathering that I can NOT use my 1st gen Airport Express as a wi-fi extender... so, Obi Wan, you're my only hope!


The other reality is that I'm using my neighbor's wi-fi, and I can get in there if I need to for set up, but I'm just hitting a bunch of dead ends and not the right info on the interwebs.


Any experience with this? Thanks so much!!!


Jayme




MacBook Pro

Posted on Oct 7, 2019 9:24 AM

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User profile for user: Bob Timmons
Bob Timmons
User level: Level 10
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Posted on Oct 7, 2019 9:31 PM

Can you use AirPort Express to extend wi-fi with a non-Apple router?


Yes and no.


Yes, if you can connect the AirPort Express to the non-Apple router using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection.


No, if you are asking if the AirPort Express can connect using Wi-Fi only and extend the network in that manner.


It is a clunky set up, but the AirPort Express can "join" most 3rd party Wi-Fi networks and then provide an Ethernet connection to another router, as LaPastenague has mentioned.



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User profile for user: Bob Timmons
Bob Timmons
User level: Level 10
187,784 points

Oct 7, 2019 9:31 PM in response to Jayme Halbritter

Can you use AirPort Express to extend wi-fi with a non-Apple router?


Yes and no.


Yes, if you can connect the AirPort Express to the non-Apple router using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection.


No, if you are asking if the AirPort Express can connect using Wi-Fi only and extend the network in that manner.


It is a clunky set up, but the AirPort Express can "join" most 3rd party Wi-Fi networks and then provide an Ethernet connection to another router, as LaPastenague has mentioned.



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User profile for user: LaPastenague
LaPastenague
User level: Level 9
67,262 points

Oct 7, 2019 1:00 PM in response to Jayme Halbritter

Apple made their wireless routers proprietary for extend.. so an Apple router can only extend another Apple router.


Assuming we are talking about an N wireless gen1 Express it should be able to join a wireless network.. this will enable it to connect as a client to your neighbour and you then plug a wireless router into its ethernet.. but honestly the best way is to buy a proper wireless extender .. eg netgear makes lots of them.

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Can you use AirPort Express to extend wi-fi with a non-apple router?

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