airport extreme 802.11AD use as external hard drive without using as a router

I have an airport extreme 802.11AD. I have moved to a new home and no longer need it as a router. Is there a way to see what data I have stored on it without setting it up as a router? Can I use it as an external hard drive?

Posted on Jun 19, 2021 8:29 AM

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6 replies

Jun 19, 2021 8:52 AM in response to Vicki105

The AirPort Extreme does not have a built in hard drive, so if you are describing your AirPort and it does have a built in hard drive......you have an AirPort Time Capsule 802.11ac......not an AirPort Extreme.


It is possible to use the AirPort Time Capsule only as a wired network hard drive.....IF.....


  1. The Time Capsule is reset back to factory default settings and then set up again. (This will not affect the data that is already stored on hard drive)
  2. The Time Capsule connects to your existing Wi-Fi router using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection
  3. The Wi-Fi setting on the time Capsule is turned off


Post back if you need more help setting this up.



Jun 19, 2021 11:51 AM in response to Vicki105

The AirPort Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme are identical in appearance, but the Time Capsule has an internal hard drive while the AirPort Extreme does not.


If you have used the internal hard drive in the AirPort in the past to back up your Mac(s) or store other data, you have an AirPort Time Capsule, simply because there is no hard drive inside an AirPort Extreme.


The model number is on the bottom of the product, but you will probably need a magnifying glass and good lighting to see it since the print is so small and difficult to read......black print against a dark gray background.


The AirPort Extreme is Model Number A 1521

The AirPort Time Capsule is Model Number A 1470



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airport extreme 802.11AD use as external hard drive without using as a router

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