Cannot get Time Machine to use Synology NAS for backup volume

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BigGuy1949 Author

Level 1

9 points

Cannot get Time Machine to use Synology NAS for backup volume

I have followed the process to set up a folder on my 8Tb Synology NAS for Time Machine to use for backups from my MacBook Pro. It worked for a few months this summer but then in October I got the message above. I tried letting Time Machine erase the backups as it indicated it would to fix the issue, but it apparently could not find them to erase them. I removed the disc (folder) from the Time Machine setup and then re-added it after deleting all backup bundles in it. Time Machine connects to it but when it tries to backup, it still gives me the same error. How do I troubleshoot to fix this? My OS is Big Sur 11.6.1. Synology OS is 6.2.4-

MacBook Pro Retina

Posted on Nov 15, 2021 4:30 PM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

116,464 points

Nov 15, 2021 6:00 PM in response to BigGuy1949

BigGuy1949 wrote:

I used the procedure detailed on this website: https://nascompares.com/2019/04/08/how-to-back-up-your-mac-to-synology-nas-with-time-machine/

IDK if that's any different from the procedure in your link. I will check it out. Thanks

Well, they’re both wrong because they suggest using AFP to connect. On a NAS, AFP is not really AFP, so it fails to work reliably. Your NAS OS should support the Time Machine over SMB specification, so it should work if you set it up to use SMB. Just turn off AFP altogether.

Apple has never supported Time Machine over AFP to a NAS because they never licensed AFP, so the AFP on a NAS is a hack that usually fails when you try to use it with Time Machine.

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Answer 2

BigGuy1949 Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 15, 2021 4:54 PM in response to babowa

I used the procedure detailed on this website: https://nascompares.com/2019/04/08/how-to-back-up-your-mac-to-synology-nas-with-time-machine/

IDK if that's any different from the procedure in your link. I will check it out. Thanks

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Answer 3

BigGuy1949 Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 15, 2021 5:55 PM in response to babowa

I looked through the procedure in the URL you provided. It is the same as the one I used only yours also provides the procedure if one has upgraded to DSM 7+ on their NAS. I still use DSM 6.2 so there is no difference. I removed the NAS disc from Time machine and checked all setting in the Shared folder and User settings and they are all exactly what is recommended. But the Time Machine still says that it cannot restore from any backups in that folder. So I am back at square one with no apparent solutions.

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