Petition calls for Apple to resume updates for discontinued AirPort routers

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The AirBorne vulnerability disclosed on Tuesday affects millions of products, including Apple's discontinued and fan-favorite AirPort routers. A petition hopes to change that.

White Apple AirPort Express router with packaging displaying product name and Wi-Fi symbol on a black background.
AirPort Express was discontinued in 2018



While the Oligo report didn't discuss AirPort routers directly, the discontinued products are affected by AirBorne. The vulnerability can lead to wormable, zero-click exploits that can infect any connected device on a network with malware.

According to a petition filed on change.org by IT professional and developer Gary Longsine, AirPort routers that are still in use today will be rendered immediately obsolete without updates. Apple discontinued the routers in 2018 and provided the last firmware update in June 2019.

The petitioner argues that while other modern devices can be updated to patch the AirBorne threat, AirPort routers will likely never be updated. Longsine suggests the routers are still used widely because of their ease of use, performance, and durability.

Apple has issued patches for much older machines in the past if a problem is bad enough. There's a chance Apple will provide a patch to the most recent AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme models, petition or not.

Unfortunately, we're not expecting a patch.

Apple's responsibility



There aren't any numbers available to suggest how many active AirPort routers there are, but it is likely not an insignificant number. However, Apple may not consider it enough of an issue to address it with time and labor costs.

Two white Apple routers with black logos, surrounded by matching boxes labeled AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule, against a dark background.
AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule are still useful products even without updates



Apple's AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and Time Capsule, especially the last models, aren't exactly dinosaurs. AirPort Express is Wi-Fi 4, but it is also the only one with an AirPlay audio bridge feature. And, it works really well, still.

AirPort Express may be old, but they have multiple Ethernet ports, USB port for attaching storage or a printer, and can achieve 500 megabits per second speeds. That's still faster than the average US home internet connection.

The Time Capsule still exists as one of the best options to use as a Time Machine backup system. Apple offers no first-party alternative to this or the AirPlay bridge feature.

So, the petitioner has a point. Rendering these products too unsafe to use could cause a lot of people to either disconnect and trash these perfectly-good devices, or leave unknowing individuals vulnerable to attack.

Perhaps this is yet another argument why Apple needs to get back into the router business. There just aren't any other products like it that can fit into the Apple ecosystem so well.

Still, beyond the ecosystem exclusive features like Time Capsule and AirPlay bridge, if you're using AirPort devices as a simple router, it may be time to finally upgrade. It is simply irresponsible to have your internet backbone built on a product that no longer receives security updates.

When we found it, the petition has 32 verified signatures of the starting goal of 50. It targets Apple and CEO Tim Cook as the decision-makers on the matter.



Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 7
    Yes I still use time capsule ,works well, backs up my computer daily 
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  • Reply 2 of 7
    macxpressmacxpress Posts: 5,982member
    I wish they still made them TBH. Fantastic devices that worked so well and was super easy to configure. 
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  • Reply 3 of 7
    SiTimesitime Posts: 58member
    I’m going to sign the petition as well. If for no other reason than to indicate to Apple my continued interest in AirPort. I absolutely loved the AirPort line of products. I don’t own any AirPort products anymore, but I would 100% fill my home with a mesh network of AirPort products if Apple were to make new ones. 
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  • Reply 4 of 7
    KMWAZkmwaz Posts: 4member
    Just sold 10 of them. Switched to Unifi.  Just as expensive as Apple stuff, and they have a great array of products to complement, and just as easy to set up.  Plus side is the speed is much better, as is security, especially with today's Internet speeds which Apple can't match. 
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  • Reply 5 of 7
    sflocalsflocal Posts: 6,162member
    Currently, I still use seven Airport routers.  They've been running 24x7 with no reboot for 10+ years.  The dependability is why I went with them.  Best routers I ever bought.

    Unfortunately I will be moving to Unify within the next 12 months I think.  They've had an incredible run.
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  • Reply 6 of 7
    Xedxed Posts: 3,127member
    KMWAZ said:
    Just sold 10 of them. Switched to Unifi.  Just as expensive as Apple stuff, and they have a great array of products to complement, and just as easy to set up.  Plus side is the speed is much better, as is security, especially with today's Internet speeds which Apple can't match. 
    Sure, but Apple has been out of that market for a very long time. I still have many (about 8) of various types that all work perfectly fine and occasionally find a home for when someone needs adequate speed for free. Some were mine and others I took over them being discarded in hopes of finding a use for them.

    I'm also in the UniFi camp: ceiling-mounted WiFi routers, PoE cameras, rack-mounted switch, and rack-mounted security camera RAID. It's a great system but I do wish Apple would've stayed in that market. I've said on this forum plenty of times that I think Apple got out at the worst time because most users seem to understand the need for a better system in their home. I think Apple could've made bank and I really hope that the rumors of the Apple HomeHub device also come with a new "whole home" level of networking equipment (assuming they don't hobble the software like they did with AirPort devices).
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  • Reply 7 of 7
    mikethemartianmikethemartian Posts: 1,626member
    I would buy a new AirPort router if they released one.
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