This is due to the initial setup it runs through when configuring a new (or recently restored) AirPort base station for the first time. AirPort UtilityĪpple’s current incarnation of AirPort Utility is a shadow of its former self and, whilst it doesn’t necessarily remove any functionality, it has made it much harder to configure. This is to ensure that if lose any wireless connectivity, you can easily restore it by connecting directly to your network rather than restoring anything to factory settings. I’d recommend having an ethernet cable and, if necessary, a USB or Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter. It’s assumed that you have an existing network router and Ethernet available in any of the locations you’re wanting to set up an AirPort Express, whether it’s via Ethernet outlets or Powerline network adapters which provide a cheap and efficient way of putting in Ethernet anywhere at home without needing to run any cabling. This isn’t the case and by delving into the AirPort Utility app we can configure an AirPort Express to suit our needs.

Unfortunately, the terribly counterintuitive AirPort Utility app doesn’t make this obvious and, if you bought one with the sole purpose of adding AirPlay functionality to a Hi-Fi via Ethernet, it gives the impression that it isn’t possible as it must do something related to Wi-Fi.

Many people (myself included) have taken to using a few of these devices solely as AirPlay receivers that have their wireless functions disabled and connect to an existing network over Ethernet - effectively they’re dumb AirPlay receivers. You can connect it to an existing Hi-Fi or set of speakers and stream audio from any Apple device on your network without having to buy a whole new sound system. The AirPort Express is Apple’s pocket-sized 802.11n wireless router that features AirPlay connectivity via its 3.5mm Analog / Digital audio jack.

Airport express apple setup