I'm trying to get my Airport Extreme to join—not extend or create—an existing wifi network. I'd like to use it so I can access a connected USB drive. I don't see the "Join" option when I set the Airport Extreme up. Is it not possible or am I just doing something wrong?
I've previously used an Airport Express to join the same network but, if I understand correctly, I can't use that to share a drive?
Thanks,
Peter
OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)
You might be able to configure the AirPort Extreme to "Join a wireless network".......IF.......you have an Mac running an older 5.x version of AirPort Utility. That would be a Mac running either Leopard (10.5.x) or Snow Leopard (10.6.x). A PC with AirPort Utility for Windows installed on the device might work as well.
The "trick" is that you must first go ahead and set up the AirPort Extreme to "Extend a wireless network", and then go back in using AirPort Utility 5.x and change the setting for Wireless Mode to "Join a wireless network". To get the "Join" option to appear, you have to hold down the option key on your Mac or PC while you are clicking on the selection box.
This works just fine when I test using a 4th Gen AirPort Extreme. I doubt that it would work on a newer "tower" shaped AirPort Extreme 802.11ac though since this device uses completely different firmware.
Unfortunately, the USB port on an AirPort Express will only work with a supported USB printer, so while it would be physically possible to connect a hard drive, it won't work if you try to find the hard drive on the network.
If you have an iPhone, try this:
1) Reset your Airport Extreme (unplug; depress reset button; plug in; wait 5 seconds; release reset button).
2) On your iPhone, open Settings>Wi-Fi.
3) Below "choose a network" look for Configure New Airport Extreme (or something similar).
4) Follow the instructions, and when given the option choose Join Existing Network (or something similar).
I've only done this once, but it worked to connect my old Airport Extreme to a new 3rd party mesh network. I haven't tried connecting a disk, but I've plugged a printer into the AE's USB port and can print wirelessly from my mac.
Ahhh...too bad but thank you Bob. I do have the "tower" AC version of the Airport Extreme so I guess it's just not going to work.
I'm renting a short-term apartment (two months) for work purposes so I'm connected to a network that I can't extend or hard-wire to, which seems to limit my options in trying to network this drive. Any ideas?
thank you,
Peter
Use the AirPort Express to "Join" the existing wireless network, and then connect an Ethernet cable from the Express to the WAN port on the AirPort Extreme and you can set up the AirPort Extreme to provide your own private wireless and wired network.
I use this type of setup all the time when I'm traveling and staying at hotels that only provide a wireless signal. In effect, the AirPort Express acts like a "modem", so you can use another AirPort router to set up your own private wireless and wired network.
Thanks Bob! I will give that a try tonight and report back.
Peter
Can an Airport Extreme "Join" an existing wifi network?
