Airport Extreme - Timed Access Control - 65th entry "bug"

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Level 1

4 points

Airport Extreme - Timed Access Control - 65th entry "bug"

I run my network with 4 AirPort Extremes A1521 since like forever and they always worked like a charm. I dig the central configuration through the AirPort Utility app.

However recently I encountered what I believe is a bug in the firmware:

I use Timed Access Control for all my devices and I have a ton of smart relays and such. Therefore I have over 60 entries in the Timed Access Control list so far.

Recently I wanted to add another 2 devices, one would connect just fine, the other did not. I actually got it replaced since I believed it was faulty but when the new one also wouldn't connect, I dug a little deeper and figured out that whatever device was no. 65 in the list was not able to connect.

Tried it with deleting my iPhone from the list and adding it again as no. 65, no luck.

I made some "fake" entries to see if it was just a range but it seems like only 64 entries work and everything beyond that does not.

I reported this with my developer account, but of course they just told me this platform is not supported anymore.

Now I'm a bit bummed out that these great pieces of hardware seem to have reached their unintended limits😞

Anyone else who has experienced this or is willing to double check with dome fake entries 😋

I guess I'll either have to abandon Timed Access Control or save up for Ubiquitis.

AirPort Extreme

Posted on Aug 30, 2025 08:37 AM

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Answer 1

g_wolfman

Level 4

3,454 points

Aug 31, 2025 12:39 PM in response to GEORGzer

Well, 64 is 2^6 and given the age of those devices, it wouldn't surprise me if 64 devices was considered a ridiculously high number that no one would ever max out...which means it is not a bug, it is simply the designed limit for the number of timed access control entries.

But really, those devices are so far beyond effective end of life - even if the HW works, it doesn't support modern wifi protocols and security and no firmware update could fix that.

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Answer 2

Tesserax

Level 10

157,206 points

Aug 31, 2025 10:12 AM in response to GEORGzer

GEORGzer wrote:

I guess I'll either have to abandon Timed Access Control or save up for Ubiquitis.

FWIW, it's time to move on ... In my case, I replaced my aging Apple network hardware with those from the Ubiquiti UniFi line back in 2018 when Apple got out of the network hardware business. No regrets. Plus you get far superior control of your equipment.

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Answer 3

Aug 31, 2025 08:00 PM in response to GEORGzer

You can call it a bug if you want, but Apple's specifications for the AirPort Extreme state that it will handle up to 50 Wi-Fi devices and you are already considerably above that limit.

The last firmware update for the Airports was more than 6 years ago, so I would not be looking for any new "fixes" from Apple.

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Answer 4

GEORGzer Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 31, 2025 11:03 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Bob Timmons wrote:

You can call it a bug if you want, but Apple's specifications for the AirPort Extreme state that it will handle up to 50 Wi-Fi devices and you are already considerably above that limit.

Oh 50, really? Thanks, I did not know that.

Well if it lets me add more entries that simply don’t work without any warning or as such, I consider that at least „not well done“ 🤪

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Answer 5

Sep 1, 2025 02:56 PM in response to GEORGzer

Take a few minutes to review the specifications for the AirPort Extreme.

AirPort Extreme 802.11ac - Technical Specifications - Apple Support

Would you rather have the AirPort stop right at 50 devices and not allow number 51 to connect? You are already getting more than you were promised......and you are complaining?

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Answer 6

GEORGzer Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 1, 2025 03:26 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Nobody is complaining. I‘m just saying it‘s a bit odd for the device to accept entries and simply ignoring them instead of displaying a „limit reached“ message or something like that.

Anyway, thanks for pointing this out to me, I will now start looking for a replacement.

Have a nice day.

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