Time Capsule replacement options

BethieMarie wrote:

I need to replace my time capsule - not sure what to replace with

If for served storage, Apple discontinued support for AFP (not AFPS!) with macOS 26. This blocks access to Time Capsule.

(Time Machine backup to NAS via SMB and mDNS works fine, and this Time Machine server replacement for Time Capsule and AFP has been available for ~seven years. time Capsule doesn’t support this though, with an ancient and wildly insecure SMBv1 only.)

Available hardware alternatives include: Ubiquiti UNAS, Synology NAS, UGREEN NAS, TrueNAS, ZimaOS, a Mac running macOS 11 or later and sufficient local storage, and various other options (also) supporting Time Machine server exist.

Some of the previous discussions, articles:

• Time Machine not backing up to network - Apple Community
• time machine backup to multiple macs on o… - Apple Community
• Backup disks you can use with Time Machine - Apple Support
• etc.

If for routing and gateway tasks, lots of options, including Ubiqiti, Zyxel, Synology, eero, and other fine choices.

If you have somewhat more detailed requirements, somebody here can likely tailor an answer.

if you mean as a backup device then I think your best bet would be some external harddisk, there are synology nas which support timemachine but my money would be on an external disk

if you mean as a router, then synology make some ok ones imho

I would personally go with the LaCie d2 Professional, been using it for years and is still the best drive for backups imo. Comes in quite a few storage options, so you can go up to 30TB if needed.

Unless you prefer SSDs, in that case I also have a few recommendations if needed :-)

The Time Capsule was both a router and a hard drive.

If you replace the Time Capsule, do you already have another router?

As far as a replacement drive, will this drive connect directly to your desktop?

To help us help you, please answer the following questions:

• As Bob Timmons has mentioned, are you looking for both a router and storage device solution as the Time Capsule is a combination of both? If so, there is no direct replacement.
• If you are only looking at a storage solution, then you have the chose of either a network or directly attached solution.
• What's the maximum desired storage size that you are looking for?
• Will this storage device be used for other things besides backups?
• Finally, what is your desired price limit you are willing to pay?