Install the Old AirPort Utility in Mountain Lion

  Matt Cone       December 19, 2012      Tutorials Mac AirPort

Earlier this year, Apple released a new version of AirPort Utility, the application that allows users to set up and maintain the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express base stations. The updated version, AirPort Utility 6.0, was supposed to streamline the interface and make it easier to set up networks. The only problem was that a number of advanced features went missing.

If you’ve been missing the features in the old AirPort Utility application, we have good news: There’s a way to install it in OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion. Apple’s official installer won’t work, but with the help of a free Automator workflow, you can extract AirPort Utility 5.6.1 and use it on your Mac.

Here’s how to install the old AirPort Utility (5.6.1) in OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion:

1. Download AirPort Utility 5.6.1 from Apple’s website.

2. Download this Automator workflow. And if you’re feeling generous, please consider making a donation to the awesome dude who created said workflow.

3. Drag and drop the AirPort Utility 5.6.1 installer on to the Automator workflow, as shown below.

   

4. Wait about a minute or so for the Automator workflow to finish extracting the application from the installer. When the AirPort Utility appears on your Desktop, the Automator workflow is finished.

5. Rename the AirPort Utility to Old AirPort Utility, or something similar. You now have two different versions of the AirPort Utility on your computer, and you’ll need a way to differentiate them.

6. Drag the Old AirPort Utility icon to the Applications folder.

7. Double click Old AirPort Utility to launch it. The application appears, as shown below.

   

That’s it! Now you can start administrating AirPort base stations just like before.