iOS 27 will be the end of this Apple-made app

iOS 27 will be the end for the AirPort Utility app. Besides that it's no longer fully supported, Apple says it's not guaranteed it'll work in the near future.

These are the latest iOS 27 beta 2 findings, which are pretty much guaranteed to happen soon.

Some will be able to re-download it

The AirPort Utility app won't be available for download in the App Store, but those users who have already downloaded it in the past, will be able to re-download it.

What's more, the AirPort Utility app will be found no more in new installations of macOS. If you have it on your Mac, you'll be able to use it after future macOS updates, but with ‌iOS 27‌, Apple warns there are no guarantees that it'll function properly in macOS Golden Gate.

That's because with ‌macOS Golden Gate‌, Cupertino is ending AFP support. The Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) is an old, private system that Apple created so Macs could share files with each other over a network. Apple has officially stopped using it. In newer Mac computers, it is being completely removed and replaced by SMB, which is the standard file-sharing system used by almost everyone today.

What's the app for?

The AirPort Utility app (which is free, by the way) is used to set up and manage the company's old AirPort networking devices, including the AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule. Through the app, users could configure Wi-Fi settings, monitor connected devices, update firmware and manage Time Machine backups.

The AirPort name itself referred to Apple's line of wireless networking products, which debuted in 1999 and included routers and Wi-Fi cards for Macs. Over the years, AirPort devices gained a reputation for their simplicity and reliability, with the Time Capsule adding built-in storage for automatic Mac backups.

Apple stopped developing the hardware in 2016 and officially discontinued the entire AirPort lineup in 2018 as it shifted its focus to more profitable product categories.

Despite ending the hardware business, Apple continued supporting existing devices through the AirPort Utility app. That support is now nearing its end and the final chapter for the once-popular AirPort ecosystem is nigh.

What's iOS 27 like?

iOS 27, Apple's next major iPhone software update, is scheduled for a stable release in fall 2026. The update focuses heavily on artificial intelligence, performance and refinements to the Liquid Glass design introduced in iOS 26.

The big star here is the revamped Siri AI. The new iPhone assistant brings more natural conversations, personal context awareness, cross-app actions and even a dedicated app that stores previous chats.

Apple Intelligence features are also expanding into apps such as Photos, Safari, Home and Shortcuts, allowing users to automate tasks and access smarter suggestions.

What will it look like?

The visual side of iOS 27 gains a new Liquid Glass customization slider, letting users adjust transparency levels across the interface.

Photos receives AI-powered editing tools, while Messages, Phone, Passwords and CarPlay get quality-of-life improvements. Apple is also introducing stronger parental controls and child safety features, along with faster app launches and improved file transfers.

The update will support iPhones dating back to the iPhone 11, although some advanced AI capabilities will require newer hardware and may initially be unavailable in certain regions, including the EU. Yes, the US is the best place to be for iPhone aficionados.

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