How to connect airport extreme to modem via wifi.

AirPort Extreme can only connect to the WiFi signal provided by another Apple AirPort router. It cannot connect to a third party wireless network using only a wireless connection.

Another way to say the same thing would be to state that if you want to extend a network wirelessly using an Apple router, you will need two Apple routers to do it.

The AirPort Extreme will need to connect to your third party wireless router using a permanent, wired Ethernet cable connection.....or.....if you cannot run the Ethernet cable, then a pair of Ethernet over Powerline (EoP) adapters might be able to send the Ethernet signal over the AC powerlines in your home.

Why does Apple insist on blocking third party connections and force us to buy two of the same thing even thoug I alreade have a router is far beyond my comprehension. If it is for increased sales, well, I’m considering taking my Airport Extreme back to the Apple Store as it is borderline useless at this point.

You are asking your question on a forum of users......just like you.

None of us can answer for Apple or explain the decisions that they have made.

But, if you think about it......let's assume that a 3rd party product could connect to an Apple network. But....you are having problems with the connection or device. You call Apple support and they tell you that there must be something wrong with the 3rd party device.

So, you call the 3rd party product support folks and they tell you that the Apple products are at fault.

Yeah, you do have a point being that this site isn’t quite monitored by actual Apple employees.

But if you think about it: I have a brick that I spent £200 on. Which doesn’t even have a built in modem, so I have to spend more moeny to get it to work. On top of that, it cannot connect to an existing wifi network either. There are routers out there, that cost half and have far more advanced features.

Gone the days when we used to say “it just works”.

I have been using Apple’s products for nearly 15 years, and I do remember when help was about getting Apple products to work with 3rd party ones. Nowadays it’s pretty much “want it to work? Buy another Apple product”

This is not the Apple I used to love and felt comfortable buying without worrying whether or not it will work. Because today, it doesn’t.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my iPad, I love my iPhone, I still very much respect the history of the company. My trust, however, is gone. Ever since Jobs left us, Apple has been flailing in the water as if they forgot how to swim.

I no longer wish to buy a Mac for example, as a PC for less than half the price can do far more and better.

See, I’m not angry with them, despite how in writing this might look like... I’m just sad to see my baby grow up and forget it’s roots.