Network Attached Storage (NAS)
Network-attached storage (NAS) that supports Time Machine over the SMB network protocol.
You need a Network-Attached Storage (NAS) device that supports Time Machine via the modern SMB protocol, not the outdated Apple Filing Protocol (AFP), as Apple is removing AFP support in macOS. Popular brands like Synology and QNAP offer NAS devices that work with Time Machine over SMB, requiring you to enable SMB, Bonjour discovery, and set up a dedicated folder in the NAS settings (e.g., Synology's DSM) to function as a Time Machine destination, which your Mac then finds and uses automatically.
Key Steps & What to Look For
Check NAS Compatibility: Look for NAS devices from brands like Synology, QNAP, or others that explicitly mention Time Machine support over SMB (Server Message Block).
Create a dedicated shared folder for backups.
Enable SMB file sharing.
Enable Bonjour service discovery and Time Machine broadcast over SMB within your NAS settings.
Connect your Mac to the NAS over the network.
Open Time Machine settings and select the shared folder as your backup disk.
Why SMB over AFP?: SMB is the current standard, offering better performance and security, while AFP is being deprecated by Apple, making it unreliable for future macOS versions.
Example Brands & Setup (Synology)
Brands: Synology and QNAP are leading NAS providers with robust Time Machine support.
Synology (DSM 7+): Go to Control Panel > File Services > SMB, enable it, then go to the Advanced tab to set Time Machine folders for your share.
By following these steps and ensuring your NAS uses SMB, you'll have a reliable Time Machine setup that's ready for future macOS updates.
Synology
https://www.synology.com/en-us
https://www.synology.com/en-au/support/nas_selector
Size (Height x Width x Depth): 165 mm (6.5") x 100 mm (4") x 225.5 mm (9")
System Memory: 1 GB DDR4 non-ECC
External ports:
RJ-45 1GbE LAN Port = 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port = 2
Drive Bays 2
Drive Type (See all supported drives)
3.5" SATA HDD
2.5" SATA SSD (with optional 2.5" Disk Holder)
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How do I access shared folders on my Synology NAS from a Mac computer within a local network?
How do I access data on Synology NAS via SMB using the Files app on iPhone or iPad?
How do I back up files from my Mac to Synology NAS using Time Machine?
How can I limit the amount of space taken up by Time Machine backup data? The quota should be at least two to three times the size of your Mac's drive or the amount of data to be backed up. However, this is only a guideline and the space required also depends on how much data has changed since the last backup. If the remaining quota is less than the amount of changed data, the backup may fail.
What should I do to fix the problem when connecting to Synology NAS using Time Machine?
My Time Machine backup failed due to insufficient space. What can I do?
Synology plus series HDD (Hard Disk Drives)
Synology Plus 3.5" SATA HDD HAT3300, HAT3300-2T, PL01 - 2TB; $75
Synology Plus 3.5" SATA HDD HAT3300, HAT3300-4T PL01 - 4TB; $140
Synology Plus 3.5" SATA HDD HAT3300, HAT3300-6T PL01 - 6TB; $190