If getting the kids off the internet on a school night has turned into one more thing you have to manage, Apple’s AirPort Extreme has a built-in feature that can help.
Instead of manually reminding everyone to disconnect, you can set Wi-Fi access schedules for individual devices, like an iPhone or iPad, using AirPort Utility.
Quick Answer
The quick answer is to use Time Access Control in AirPort Utility. You add the device by its Wi-Fi MAC address, choose which days it can connect, set the allowed time window, save the rule, and then update the AirPort.
Once applied, the AirPort may go offline briefly while it updates its settings. After that, the device follows the schedule you created.
What This Does
Time Access Control lets you manage internet access by device. That means you can give one phone, tablet, or computer its own schedule without changing the Wi-Fi password or shutting down the whole network.
This is useful for school nights because the router handles the cutoff for you. You can set weekday rules, weekend rules, or multiple schedules depending on how your household works.
Open AirPort Utility
Start by opening AirPort Utility on your Mac. If you have more than one AirPort device on your network, choose the one you want to manage.
Click Edit, then go to the Network tab. At the bottom, look for Time Access Control and make sure it is enabled.
Add A Device
Once Time Access Control is turned on, you can add a wireless client. Click the plus button to create a new entry.
Give the device a clear description, such as your child’s name or the device name. This makes it much easier to manage later if you add more phones, tablets, or computers.
Find The Wi-Fi MAC Address
For an iPhone or iPad, the Wi-Fi MAC address is listed in Settings. Open Settings, go to General, then About.
Near the bottom, look for Wi-Fi Address. That is the MAC address you need to enter into AirPort Utility.
In the video, I blurred the address for security, but that is the field you copy into the MAC address box when adding the device.
Set The Schedule
After the device is added, choose the days the rule should apply. You can use every day, weekdays, or create separate rules for weekdays and weekends.
For example, you might allow weekday access from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. On weekends, you could create another rule with a longer window, such as 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The exact times are up to you. The point is to make the schedule match your household routine so the router enforces the cutoff automatically.
Apply The Changes
When the schedule is set, click Save. Then click Update to apply the changes to the AirPort.
The AirPort will go offline for a short time while it updates its settings. Once it comes back online, the access schedule should be active.
A Few Things To Know
This method controls Wi-Fi access through the AirPort device. It does not manage cellular data, so an iPhone with cellular service could still use the internet away from Wi-Fi unless you manage that separately.
You will also need to repeat the process for each device you want to control. Each phone, tablet, or computer has its own Wi-Fi address.
Key Takeaways
- AirPort Extreme and AirPort Utility can schedule internet access for specific devices.
- The setting is called Time Access Control and is found under the Network tab.
- You need the device’s Wi-Fi MAC address, listed as Wi-Fi Address on iPhone and iPad.
- You can create different schedules for weekdays and weekends.
- After saving, click Update and expect the AirPort to go offline briefly while settings apply.
- This controls Wi-Fi access, not cellular data.
Watch the Video
The video above above for the full walkthrough of where the settings are in AirPort Utility and how to add a device schedule step by step.
