Time Machine will no longer support Time Capsule formatted with AFP Apple Filing Protocol

Before investing in a NAS, would a LAN-to-USB device exist for which, if connected to a router/switch, the USB would support SMB v3, so a backup HDD would work with Time Machine?

If yes, this would solve, at least temporarily, my Time Machine wireless backup situation - i.e. Mac -> Wi-Fi AP -> Router/Switch -> LAN-to-USB -> HDD - after I decommission the Time Capsule.

Re no more backup to Time Capsule over network; this is disappointing because it worked well. We move on. I have an ASUS AX6600 XT8 mesh Router system. Can you please tell me how to connect an external hard drive to that and then back up my MBP automatically to that hard Drive. Thanks Bill.

Bill3Apple wrote:

Re no more backup to Time Capsule over network; this is disappointing because it worked well. We move on. I have an ASUS AX6600 XT8 mesh Router system. Can you please tell me how to connect an external hard drive to that and then back up my MBP automatically to that hard Drive. Thanks Bill.

That ASUS ZenWiFi AX (XT8) AX6600 Tri-band Mesh WiFi 6 System does not list Time Machine server capabilities in the tech specs:

https://www.asus.com/microsite/better-WiFi-for-SMB/ASUS-ZenWiFi-XT8_datasheet.pdf

Unfortunately for this reply, ASC is eating links again, and has basically clobbered this reply. You will want to do some searches of the Asus website for Time Machine support info, for Wi-Fi and Asustor. I’ve attempted to re-generate the text.

• Related info {garbled links removed}
• https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1011283/
• https://www.asus.com/us/support/faq/1011283/
• https://www.asustor.com/admv2?type=2&subject=4&sub=18

There have been reports of issues, as well:

• https://www.reddit.com/r/ASUS/comments/13gihgw/is_anyone_successfully_using_asus_router_time/

For alternative Wi-Fi mesh router hardware suggestions, see previous replies.

If you wish to preserve that Wi-Fi mesh router, you’ll likely be installing a NAS box. See previous replies.

You’ll be able to continue to operate with Time Capsule until you upgrade to macOS 26.

Unfortunately, your ASUS router's USB port will not support a hard drive that is formatted in the APFS format that Time Machine will want to use with future Mac operating systems, so most likely a no go on that idea.

Think NAS with Time Machine support.

We'll know more when the next Mac operating system is introduced. Too many unknowns at this time.

Thanks MrHoffman! I stand corrected.

You are too kind. That was not a typo, but a blind spot.

I missed the distinction between SMB 3.0 and Samba, and your additional linked information was very helpful for me (and other Readers) to see the distinction.

Using your example, I pulled up the Wikipedia article on AFP.

WOW, what remarkable word-salad including AppleTalk, Apple File Protocol. Apple File System and acronyms and similar terms. No wonder there is some confusion.

I've had a Wifi 5 time capsule for a few years now that I used for file sharing. About a month ago I upgraded it from a 2tb drive to a 6tb WD Red for my time machine backups, but now I can't do that?? Sad :(

Replacing Time Capsule and Synology backup devices. Your helpful comments solicited.

My 20 + year old Synology DS212 NAS drive died this week and my old AFP Time Capsule is headed to the junkyard soon we learned recently. This thread seems to have conflicting info on whether backup devices can be on a home network or have to be attached to a Mac?

I will soon be replacing my 2019 (Intel) iMac and would like to use its drive for one on site backup source over our Ethernet home network. Any reason why this cannot be accomplished? Or are those older iMac drives formatted in one of the Time Machine forbidden formats like the Time Capsule? I would ideally like to replace the Synology drive with something a little less complicated to manage and have that be my second on site backup device running over the home network or attached directly to the Mac.

Appreciate any input, education and suggestions!

Understood and thanks again. I'll keep that in mind.

Edit:

I feel like a combination of these would do the trick.

https://www.synology.com/en-us/products/RT2600ac

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRNBVTJK?tag=btp-1665220-20&th=1

I had personal experience with a Synology NAS and it's not one I intend to repeat. Not going to happen.

As for a Time Capsule replacement, no comparable product exists nor is one likely to be forthcoming. A Raspberry Pi NAS will be the TM solution for me. They're ridiculously cheap. Cheap enough to dedicate a separate one for every Mac — not that it's necessary, but it is simple, and (so far) it has been 100% reliable, as reliable as the TCs have been for nearly two decades now.

As for routers, they will probably be either Ubiquiti or Eero mesh systems unless something better comes along... also not likely to be forthcoming.

Thanks.

Just checked and I have 15-inch, 2018, Mac Book Pro. Pretty sure that there is no upgrade path to Tahoe or Mac OS 26 so hopefully I am immune from this change for now.

Disappointing that Apple have dropped support for:

1. Airport Extreme and Time Capsule. What Mac user does not need to back up solution?
2. AFP and SMBv1. No legacy support on newer OS post >15.x.x (Sequoia) <16

Also confusing that Apple have switched to yearly release names.

Ransomware has been targeting longstanding vulnerabilities in SMBv1 to encrypt the served storage, and to then ransom the data. Or malware just clobbers the data.

Please can you clarify? Does Time Capsule use AFP, SMBv1 or both?

Personally I do not use any encryption on the backup as this likely slows down the process considerably. If working on a private network, how concerned should I be about this data being compromised?

Additionally, what sensible provisions can be made to protect backed up data from any potential ransonware attack?

This is your data, your equipment, your budget, and your decision.

1: Time Capsule supports both AFP and SMBv1.

2: I’m glad your home network is always secure, and your local apps and your local users and your IoT devices aren’t doing sketchy things .

3: Encryption is not just about securing data from access by the inquisitive and by adversaries, but also about the mundane effort of maintaining data security past equipment failure and past equipment retirement.

AI slop doubles the effort in answering too, as it involves not only answering the question and also reviewing the AI slop. AI is not a reliable reference source, though it is a wonderful source of statistically-generated words that might look good. Actual technical correctness is not a consideration. On the subject of AI slop here, AFPS is not involved here with Time Capsule and with Time Machine server. At all.

2dareis2do wrote:

According to Google AI:

...

As usual "Google AI" is mostly wrong and completely irrelevant. Start with the fact that there have been no changes to Time Machine that prevents its continued use with macOS.

If you're going to use it that's your business, but please refrain from posting its spew to this support site. Thank you.

Stop. Just stop. You appear to have been misled to the extent you're asking irrelevant, off-topic, unproductive questions that have nevertheless been addressed anyway.

All you need to do is go back and read. "AI" isn't going to do that for you.

Edit......That would work and allow Time Machine to keep backing up to the Time Capsule.

Should have said "should work"......because I have not yet tested this, but I would expect it to work.