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Use AirPort Extreme as Access Point

So after about 6 years of loyal service, I replaced my AirPort Extreme with one of those fancy Netgear Orbi mesh routers. While I’m pleased with the new router, sadly some of my smart devices (aka dumb devices) can’t connect due to them not being able to find/connect to the 2.4ghz signal on the Orbi router. I want to set up my old Apple extreme router in my garage strictly to provide a separate 2.4ghz signal for those “dumb” devices, such as my wireless sprinkler controller and smart plugs. Does anybody know if this is possible and how to go about it?

Posted on Aug 1, 2021 12:34 PM

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8 replies

Aug 1, 2021 1:41 PM in response to E-Podder

Does the MacBook Pro have an Ethernet port that would allow you to connect it directly to one of the 3 <--> Ethernet ports on the AirPort Extreme using an Ethernet cable.......to check a few settings using AirPort Utility?


If not, are you still able to connect to the AirPort Extreme using a WiFi connection to check a few settings using AirPort Utility that way? It does not matter at this point whether or not the amber light is flashing on the AirPort Extreme, and it does not have an Internet connection.


We ask this because it might be possible to set up the AirPort Extreme as an access point very easily.......without having to reset the AirPort back to factory settings and then having to set it up again from scratch. (Unless you have already reset the AirPort back to factory default settings).

Aug 1, 2021 2:54 PM in response to E-Podder

Connect an Ethernet cable from the Mac to one of the 3 LAN <--> Ethernet ports on the AirPort Extreme

Power up the AirPort and let it run for a minute

Temporarily turn off the WiFi on the Mac if it is currently on


Open AirPort Utility on the Mac........Finder > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility

Click on the AirPort to select it

Click Edit in the smaller window that appears

Click the Network tab at the top of the next window


The setting for Network Mode needs to be "Off (Bridge Mode)"

If it's not set that way, change the setting to read "Off (Bridge Mode)"





Then, click the Wireless tab at the top of the window to make sure that WiFi is still set up. Do NOT change the name of the wireless network to match the name of the Orbi network......it needs to be different from the name of the Orbi network.


Click Update to save any settings and let the AirPort restart.


Afer a minutę, power off the AirPort Extreme, move it to the desired location and connect an Ethernet cable from one of the Orbi devices to one of the three LAN Ethernet ports on the AirPort.

Power up the AirPort and let it run for a minute


Test the WiFi connection by connecting your Mac to the name of the AirPort Extreme network.

If OK, then connect the devices that you want to connect to the AirPort to the WiFi network that the AirPort is providing.


I assume that these devices were connected to the AirPort network previously, before you added the Orbi system, correct?



Aug 1, 2021 1:24 PM in response to E-Podder

Possible and will work fine.....IF.....you connect the AirPort Extreme to one of the Orbi satellites (assuming it has an Ethernet port) or to the main Orbi router (which will have an Ethernet port) using a permanent wired Ethernet cable connection.


Here we assume that you have the "tower" shaped version of the AirPort Extreme or an older "flat" or square shaped AirPort that looks like a small white pizza box......AND.....that you will be using a Mac or an iPhone / iPad to set things up.


Post back to confirm and we will continue.

Aug 1, 2021 6:06 PM in response to E-Podder

It seems to be working


Nice work.


Just out of curiosity…does the AirPort Extreme have to be permanently wired directly to the Orbi (main or secondary satallite) or is there a way to have it linked wirelessly?


Must remain permanently wired. The AirPort Extreme cannot connect to the Orbi WiFi network using only a WiFi connection because the two products are not compatible for that type of connection.







Use AirPort Extreme as Access Point

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