In the release notes for the next generation of operating systems, Apple is drawing a line under a piece of its own networking history. The AirPort Utility app, which was used to set up Apple's former Wi-Fi base stations, will soon disappear from the App Store – and no longer works reliably under the new systems anyway.
With each new beta version, Apple reveals which features are coming – and which are leaving. During the fine-tuning of the second iOS 27 beta, it's a departure that's causing a stir this time: Apple announces the end of the AirPort Utility app in the accompanying developer notes. This means the disappearance of a tool that many long-time Apple users remember from the days when the company sold its own routers.
What the release notes announce
The instructions differ for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, but ultimately lead to the same result. In the release notes for iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, Apple states that the AirPort Utility app can no longer be downloaded from the App Store. While users who previously installed it can download it again, proper functionality is no longer guaranteed after iOS 27.
The situation is similar on Macs. According to the macOS Golden Gate release notes, the app is no longer included in a clean installation of the system. However, if you update a Mac that already has the AirPort Utility app installed, it will remain, but its functionality is no longer guaranteed starting with macOS 27. The same developer notes also mention a second new feature: For the first time, AirPods Max 2 can be updated with beta firmware on the new systems.
No fixed end date yet
Apple has not yet announced exactly when the app will be permanently removed from the App Store. The company typically only provides a specific date when the removal is imminent. For now, this is simply a warning: the app will soon be removed and is unlikely to function reliably on iOS 27, macOS Golden Gate, and future versions.
The end of Apple's networking chapter
This move is the logical consequence of a decision made long ago. Apple discontinued its AirPort product line – including AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and the Time Capsule – years ago. Since then, the associated app has primarily been relevant for existing users who continued to operate their old base stations. With the foreseeable loss of functionality of these stations, the tool loses its last practical purpose.
Just a few days ago, it was also revealed that macOS Golden Gate no longer supports the file-sharing protocols of the discontinued Time Capsule – meaning the device can no longer be used as a destination for Time Machine backups. A Microsoft engineer has since released a workaround that restores compatibility, while Apple is now itself discontinuing the corresponding configuration app.
A quiet farewell with advance notice
For most users, the change will likely have no impact, as Apple's router hardware has long been discontinued. However, for those still using their AirPort devices, the announced app discontinuation marks the definitive end of an era – and a good reason to look for a modern alternative for their home network. (Image: Apple)
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