How best replace Time Capsule backup servers?

There appear to be many misunderstandings regarding Time Machine due to misinterpreting the often confusing terminology.

• Apple stated its next macOS version will not support AFP, which is the communications protocol used by Time Capsule.
• Backup devices can certainly be networked, as has always been the case. The network communications protocol will need to be SMB, which Time Capsule cannot use.
• If the backup device is directly connected to the source Mac, it needs to use APFS as its file storage format.
  • APFS is the acronym used to describe the proprietary Apple File System which as its name implies is a file system, not a communications protocol like AFP or SMB.
  • Time Capsule has never been able to read APFS. That's not the problem. As you know they still work fine with their HFS+ formatted disks.
• If the backup device is on a network, the file system used by the NAS device is irrelevant.
  • Note the Synology NAS device never used HFS+ nor APFS because it's irrelevant.
• The "network" can be wired (Ethernet) or wireless; it makes no difference to Time Machine.
• Types of disks you can use with Time Machine on Mac - Apple Support explains the differences.

For what it's worth I have been evaluating a solution that uses a Raspberry Pi as the NAS. So far it has been flawless.

Bob Timmons wrote:

Unfortunately, Apple has contributed to the misunderstandings as well.

Yes, they have.

The Apple Support document begins by stating that "You can use Time Machine with an AirPort Time Capsule"

Really? Is that correct?

Yes.

Given prior announcements from Apple stating that newer operating systems will not support the AFP protocol that is used with Time Machine backups to a Time Capsule, it is easy to understand why things remain confusing.

Yes it is. Apple was vague about it until Tahoe was actually released. While they were technically correct in that newer macOS versions would not support AFP, they just didn't say which newer ones. TCs got a stay of execution.

Does this imply that Macs using Tahoe will in fact be able to continue using an AirPort Time Capsule to back up using Time Machine?

Yes. They do.

Well, the guys at the Genius Bar were perplexed when I asked them about this, since it was their understanding (and mine) based on prior information from Apple that Time Machine backups to a Time Capsule would no longer be supported with Tahoe and future operating systems.

Of course they were. The Geniuses may have been in kindergarten when Time Capsule was released. They either didn't know or weren't permitted to discuss it until Tahoe was released. They have the same information as you and I.

The next question I asked was whether Apple Support meant to say that you can back up using Time Machine on a Tahoe Mac to a Time Capsule using SMB. The Genius Bar guys remained perplexed.

That's a definite no. TC is running some subset of OS X in which SMB isn't an option.

The AirPort product engineers left Apple a very long time ago — obviously, they had information you and I didn't.

I have not installed Tahoe on the iMac here because it won't support the update, so I can't check to see whether Tahoe will in fact back up to the old Time Capsule here.

If you have installed Tahoe...and....you still have a Time Capsule around.....can you give things a try?

It works as it always has. Absolutely nothing has changed. Anyone deciding to upgrade will just need to have another backup plan in effect prior to upgrading. Since there is rarely an immediate, compelling need to upgrade macOS, the TC's obsolescence is merely a cloud on the horizon.

I understand the other disks mentioned in the Apple Support document are supported.....

"with a network-attached storage (NAS) device that supports Time Machine over Server Message Block (SMB), or with an external storage device connected directly to your Mac (such as a USB or Thunderbolt drive)"

Those are all technically accurate statements. I interpret it to mean any NAS with SMB will work, and as far as I have been able to determine that means literally anything. Any computer, Mac, PC, anything.

The reason TCs can't be made to work is that their antiquated OS X version (subset) remains inaccessible and unalterable. Guaranteed someone will eventually empty a TC case, install a RPi, and publish a clickbait video describing how you can make a TC work despite what Apple says. Even make its USB port work. It wouldn't be difficult; it's just not worth the effort.

You are correct when you state that "There appear to be many misunderstandings regarding Time Machine due to misinterpreting the often confusing terminology."

Unfortunately, Apple has contributed to the misunderstandings as well.

For example, looking at the updated support document......Types of disks you can use with Time Machine on Mac - Apple Support.....let's take a look at the first item on the list.

The Apple Support document begins by stating that "You can use Time Machine with an AirPort Time Capsule"

Really? Is that correct? Given prior announcements from Apple stating that newer operating systems will not support the AFP protocol that is used with Time Machine backups to a Time Capsule, it is easy to understand why things remain confusing.

Does this imply that Macs using Tahoe will in fact be able to continue using an AirPort Time Capsule to back up using Time Machine?

Well, the guys at the Genius Bar were perplexed when I asked them about this, since it was their understanding (and mine) based on prior information from Apple that Time Machine backups to a Time Capsule would no longer be supported with Tahoe and future operating systems.

The next question I asked was whether Apple Support meant to say that you can back up using Time Machine on a Tahoe Mac to a Time Capsule using SMB. The Genius Bar guys remained perplexed.

I have not installed Tahoe on the iMac here because it won't support the update, so I can't check to see whether Tahoe will in fact back up to the old Time Capsule here.

If you have installed Tahoe...and....you still have a Time Capsule around.....can you give things a try?

I understand the other disks mentioned in the Apple Support document are supported.....

"with a network-attached storage (NAS) device that supports Time Machine over Server Message Block (SMB), or with an external storage device connected directly to your Mac (such as a USB or Thunderbolt drive)"

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

It's no wonder that thread got pulled in all different directions. The very title is misleading. "Formatted with AFP" conflates terminology.

Servant of Cats got it right from the start. I didn't read much more.

Thanks for the very detailed answer and information.

Guess I was a month or more behind the times when I noticed that Apple had updated their document on September 15. This was the version that I had been looking at.

Backup disks you can use with Time Machine - Apple Support

So, Time Machine backups will work with a Time Capsule, but Apple now advises (in smaller lighter print) that.....

"These solutions are no longer recommended, because they use Apple Filing Protocol (AFP), which won't be supported in a future version of macOS."

Bottom line I guess at this point would be Time Machine backups to a Time Capsule will work, but are not recommended, (since things may change and we don't know when).

It's nice to know that the new MacBook Pro on my Christmas wish list will work with the ancient Time Capsule that I still have here (mainly to see how long it will go before the power supply or disk fails). Otherwise, Time Machine backs up to the NAS and also to disks that are connected to each Mac via USB. Carbon Copy Cloner stays busy as well.

Thanks again for the great information. Maybe we can reduce some of the confusion.

That whole document is technically correct but convoluted and difficult to follow, which contributed to the understandable confusion we've seen.

It's nice to know that the new MacBook Pro on my Christmas wish list will work with the ancient Time Capsule that I still have here (mainly to see how long it will go before the power supply or disk fails).

That may be a long time. I've never had one fail. Apple is known for making their own products obsolete, but when they do, they introduce something better. Discontinuing the AirPort router line left an inexplicable void in their product line. Time Capsule was simple.

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

It's no wonder that thread got pulled in all different directions. The very title is misleading. "Formatted with AFP" conflates terminology.

And it's only getting worse. That thread is the very flower of AI's noxious weed.