With the release of iOS 27, Apple is taking a definitive step toward abandoning its historic line of AirPort routers. According to the release notes of the second beta, the AirPort Utility app will no longer be available for new downloads from the App Store, and its functionality is not guaranteed on the latest operating systems. This decision marks the end of an era for users who still own devices like the AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, and AirPort Time Capsule.
AirPort Utility vanishes from App Store but remains downloadable for previous owners
Apple has announced that AirPort Utility will no longer be listed for new users. However, anyone who previously downloaded the app can reinstall it, but Apple warns that full functionality is not assured on iOS 27 and later versions. Support for AirPort routers, discontinued in 2018 when the hardware line was phased out, is now being completely terminated on the software side as well. This move confirms Apple's intention to focus on more modern and secure technologies, leaving behind a product that has not received updates for years. Users still relying on a Time Capsule for Time Machine backups will soon need to find alternatives, since macOS Golden Gate will also drop support for the AFP protocol, making network Time Machine backups to these devices incompatible.
Sponsored Protocol
AFP support removal on macOS Golden Gate directly hits Time Capsule
Not just iOS: Apple has confirmed that on macOS Golden Gate, the next major release for Mac, the AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) will be removed. This means automatic Time Machine backups can no longer use a Time Capsule as a destination. Users attached to Apple's all-in-one router and backup solution will have to migrate to alternatives. Apple suggests using a shared volume on a Mac or a server that supports SMB, or switching to cloud backup solutions like iCloud or local external drives. The removal of AirPort Utility and AFP support is the final act of a transition that began in 2018.
Sponsored Protocol
What it means for over 5 million active AirPort users
Despite the discontinuation of AirPort routers eight years ago, industry estimates indicate that millions of devices are still in use worldwide. For these users, options are limited: continue using the router with the already installed app (but without guaranteed functionality on new OS) or replace it with a modern model. Apple has made it clear that it will no longer provide any updates for these devices, not even security patches. Abandoning the AirPort Utility app is a clear signal that old routers will not receive security fixes anymore, potentially exposing users to risks. For those seeking a modern router, alternatives abound from brands like TP-Link, Asus, and Netgear, often with Wi-Fi 6 or 6E support and mesh networking capabilities. Apple itself, since 2020, has integrated router functions into its HomePod and Apple TV devices, but without offering a true replacement for the old AirPort. In this context, Apple's decision is clear: it is time to move to more current solutions. Those still owning a Time Capsule might consider buying a Time Machine-compatible NAS or an external hard drive.
Sponsored Protocol
This situation echoes recent decisions by large companies to abandon legacy technologies, such as the 'usbliter8' vulnerability in Apple A12 and A13 chips, which highlighted how older devices can become insecure without updates. In that case as well, Apple did not provide patches, leaving users to consider hardware upgrades (see related article: Unpatchable 'usbliter8' flaw in Apple A12 and A13 chips opens door to jailbreak for older iPhones). Apple's philosophy now seems to push users toward newer products, even at the cost of leaving functional devices unsupported.
For a deeper dive into the history of AirPort routers, check the Wikipedia page on Apple AirPort. The transition to a new ecosystem is now irreversible.
Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/06/22/apple-airport-utility-ios-27
