How do I upgrade the firmware on an AirPort Extreme Model A1143? I located an old iMac G5 running Airport Utility 5.6.1. I've connected it to the web via ethernet and via an airport network I have. It shows me the AirPort Extreme I need to upgrade. When I click on it in airport Utility, I keep getting "An error occurred joining the selected wireless network."
iMac 24″, macOS 26.2
Do you have something newer than a G5? (AirPort Utility is available for iPad, iPhone, and Mac.)
Okay, that A1143 model code is one of two IEEE 802.11n models 1st gen or 2nd gen sold from 2007 to 2009.
What’s your general goal here? A working Wi-Fi network, or a Wi-Fi network that includes this or related (discontinued) Apple Wi-Fi gear?
If you’re into IT archeology, you’ll probably be rummaging older versions of AirPort Utility: https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/38855/can-i-still-use-the-older-airport-utility-5-5-3-if-i-install-the-6-0-version-of#114901 (I don’t know if those older versions are still available.)
The tech specs for the 1st gen don’t list which WPA2 support (TKIP or AES), so I don’t know if you’ll get the TKIP network security warnings from recent Apple gear.
Otherwise, look for Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 gear, maybe with Time Machine server support if you want that for your Macs.
Prosumer and small-to-mid business Wi-Fi gateway gear that can be reminiscent of the Apple Wi-Fi gear:
I have forever used an Airport network at home. I use an older AirPort Extreme (a bit of a tower/cube that talks to various Airport expresses around the house that connect to various hi end stereos. Long before music was streamed, I had loaded perhaps 600 CD's into my iMac. The music app could then broadcast music around the house to the various stereos. And when the Remote app came out, better yet, I could control all of the playlists, play next, volume and such from my iPhone. And so I saw this "New" AirPort Extreme and I thought I would get it and set it up to replace one of my older airports that sometimes is balky.
I have a late 2015 IMac and a 2021 iMac. On both, airport utility says I need an older version of Airport utility to download the firmware. And so I borrowed the G5. And so?
Firmware upgrade needed for a "new"AirPort Extreme
