Apple periodically offers software updates (called firmware updates) that improve AirPort performance and functionality. Here's how to keep your base station up to date.
Get the latest firmware
- Make sure that you're connected to the Internet.
- If you're using your base station to share a hard drive on your network, make sure that none of the devices on your network are using that drive. Updating an AirPort base station causes it and its network services to be temporarily unavailable.
- Open AirPort Utility on one of your devices.
On Mac, AirPort Utility is installed in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. On iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, get AirPort Utility from the App Store.
- If AirPort Utility shows a numbered red badge next to the name of a base station, click it for details.
If the base station is protected by a device password, you might not see a badge until you click the base station and enter the password.
- Install the update:
- On Mac, the details pop-up shows an Update button when an update is available. Click the button to install the update.
- On iOS devices, tap Version on the details screen. If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
| AirPort base station |
Latest firmware |
Compatible AirPort Utility |
|---|---|---|
AirPort Time Capsule 802.11ac AirPort Extreme 802.11ac |
|
|
AirPort Time Capsule 802.11n AirPort Extreme 802.11n AirPort Express 802.11n |
|
|
AirPort Express
|
|
|
Learn more
- If one of your network devices isn't compatible with the updated firmware, you might be able to reinstall older firmware. On Mac, click the base station in AirPort Utility, then Option-click the firmware version number. On iOS devices, tap the base station in AirPort Utility, then go to Version > Older Versions.
- Some features of your base station are available only while administering your Wi-Fi network from the latest operating system for your Mac or iOS device.