Apple is ending AFP support, so Time Machine network backups must use SMB going forward.
After upgrading to new versions of macOS, some users get notification: Disk Not Recommended for Backups.
Time Machine isn’t going away—but network backups are changing. Apple’s current guidance is to use SMB for network destinations (not AFP), and AFP-based Time Machine backups “won’t be supported in a future version of macOS.”
If your setup still leans on an AirPort Time Capsule, that’s effectively a sunset path. The fix is straightforward: move to a router or NAS that supports Time Machine over SMB (ideally SMB3), so your Mac sees the share natively in Time Machine settings and keeps backing up without hacks. For a simple, budget-friendly swap, a capable router with USB-3 storage is fine for one-Mac homes; if you need quotas, snapshots, or multi-user isolation, go NAS.
Below, we shortlist tested options and link the exact setup paths so you can migrate in under an hour.
Here is a curated list of routers that has been verified to work with Apple Time Machine.
Synology
Synology RT6600ax
Amazon Link, check the price: https://amzn.to/3WghISm
Verification of Compatibility
Port: 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Port
Protocol: Supports SMB
Proof that it works with Apple Time Machine from the user’s review
Editor’s remark
Synology is most famous for its good reputation on data storage. If you want the NAS-like functionality of Apple Time Machine, but do not want a real NAS, Synology is your stable choice. The downside? This model does not currently offer a Wi-Fi 7 router, although it is said that it is coming soon.
Reference
Synology RT6600ax product spec on official site
ASUS
Other brands
The editor is working hard to collect more models, hopefully it is coming soon ^_^
Stay tuned to keep updated.
If you have known models that works, or you wish me to verify other models, welcome to feedback in the comment section.