macOS 27 Golden Gate Kills Time Capsule Support

[throAU]

I don't know. I've seen WiFi 7 mesh router multipacks going for over $1000, which is just nuts to me. And people must be buying them at these prices. Sure, you can pick up a basic WiFi 6 router for $50 or so (or even free from your ISP), but premium offerings have their place. I'm certain that if Apple came back with an N1 / S11 or A18-powered mesh router for $399 they would sell a lot of them.

WIFI tech moved on.

Yes, you can buy a basic WIFI router for $50. They're trash. "Free" from your ISP is typically bundled into a minimum contract duration - you're essentially paying the router off on credit. It's not free!

Better units have more channels of bandwidth, better mesh units have dedicated backhaul, more antennas, advanced beam-forming, faster CPUs to handle more packets per second including content inspection (instead of falling over when you throw say, a bunch of torrent connections at them), etc.

If you think Apple would release a WIFI 7 router for $399, you're dreaming. Add a 1 in front of that number and you'll likely be closer.

The current crop of expensive routers are expensive because they're doing a lot more than the Airports ever did.

Airports were great at the time, but that time is past. If apple were to re-visit this, it would not be cheap.

 

[throAU]

Yes, Apple use the word “backup”. But it’s a snapshot, not a backup. It’s also not a complete copy of the full contents of your phone or iPad.

Far more importantly, this whole thread is about Time Machine and Time Capaules as backup solutions for Macs, not iPhones or iPads

iCloud not comparable to an incremental backup solution like TM. And iCloud NOT a viable backup solution for Macs

The thread is about apple no longer offering their legacy backup product.

Discussion of what their exception is for the users of their products is relevant... an interview with Steve Jobs from like 1998 he discussed how his personal situation of having someone else look after his backup server and he just backs up to it was how things were going to be... and iCloud backup is the result.

 

[goobot]

I still use mine and it works great, wish apple would make them again.

 

[JosephAW]

Apple how about just opening up the Source code for the airport extreme and time capsule so we can go to an open Source operating system and update the SMB. 🤔

 

[Happy_John]

Apple how about just opening up the Source code for the airport extreme and time capsule so we can go to an open Source operating system and update the SMB. 🤔

Not exactly what you're looking for, but still very useful if you want to go down this road:

AirPort Extreme & Time Capsule 802.11ac Jailbreak Guide & Tools​

GitHub - noname122021/airpyrt-tools-guide: Jailbreak AirPort Extreme & Time Capsule (802.11ac/n) on macOS. Root SSH access, region speed boost (FCC), manual fan control, and HDD spindown settings for A1521, A1470, A1408 & A1409.

Jailbreak AirPort Extreme & Time Capsule (802.11ac/n) on macOS. Root SSH access, region speed boost (FCC), manual fan control, and HDD spindown settings for A1521, A1470, A1408 & A1409. - n...

github.com

 

[bbotte]

The question to me is why doesn't Homepod have a hard drive and the ability to backup, oh that is right Apple wants to milk more money out of us for storage in iCloud.

 

[Happy_John]

The question to me is why doesn't Homepod have a hard drive and the ability to backup, oh that is right Apple wants to milk more money out of us for storage in iCloud.

The Apple TV would be a better candidate - it has a far more competent chip, a more complex OS and it already has all the necessary hardware, including a place for the USB-C socket on the PCB.

 

[dannys1]

Sadly this is a can of worms too. As you mentioned, a lot of NAS units and Routers with USB ports tout Time Machine compatibility, but it turns out to be very unreliable. Then a lot of them will also be struck down by the withdrawel of AFP support. I was considering a TP-Link be65 WiFi 7 router, as it performs will and has a USB port with Time Machine support, but I've just found out (thankfully before I bought it) that Time Machine support operates via...AFP

You can assign any SMB share to be a Time Machine backup location so it doesn't really matter. The days of "Time Machine specific" support are over and have been for ages. Just setup any NAS or DAS and it'll do it. Hell APFS has been doing snapshot backups on your own Mac that TimeMachine browsers for quite a few years now too.

 

[Brian33]

Apple how about just opening up the Source code for the airport extreme and time capsule so we can go to an open Source operating system and update the SMB. 🤔

This is close... as mentioned in the original article, about installing modern Samba on the Time Capsule for SMBv3 capability:

https://github.com/jamesyc/TimeCapsuleSMB

Only the fifth-generation Time Capsule tower model from 2013 auto-restarts the Samba server after a reboot. Earlier models require a manual activate command every time the device loses power, meaning backups may silently stop after an outage. It is also worth noting that switching to SMB via TimeCapsuleSMB begins a new Time Machine backup chain, with the new destination treated as a fresh start. There is no published long-term restore testing for the project, so a second backup destination is advisable.

The original article, as quoted above didn't mention that, according to the GitHub project page, gen 1-4 Time Capsules can be flashed to activate the Samba server automatically after reboots. I wouldn't need to do that, apparently, since I have a gen-5 Time Capsule.

I just applied this software hack on my 5th generation AirPort Time Capsule and it all worked like a charm and a new Time Machine backup is ongoing .. also like a charm .. or two 🙂

Thanks for the report! I expected more conversation about this. I may try it, mostly for "fun," as I currently use my TC just for WiFi. It looks like they've made it pretty easy, even providing a GUI macOS app to install it.

@Dietrichbatista have you tried doing a backup from macOS 27 (beta), or just macOS 26?

 

[fhall1]

I have thought about this, but I'm put off by the increase power consumption and the fact that these old Minis are stuck on very outdated MacOS versions are may become vulnerable to hacks.

With OCLP you can run Sequoia on a Late 2012 Mac Mini​

 

[Happy_John]

With OCLP you can run Sequoia on a Late 2012 Mac Mini​

Yes, you can. And you will get the security updates that way, but then you're better off putting in 16gig of RAM (in the case of a 2012) or sourcing a 16gig model ( 2014 - soldered on), as Sequoia is a "heavier OS" and these are still Intel machines, not AS, and are not as efficient with memory allocation. You will notice performance boost with the extra RAM.

It works fine either way. I used to put Sequoia, but I went back to Monterey on the units I have, because I'm using them as headless TM destinations and file servers etc, not a general desktop machine, and I lockdown any internet traffic that doesn't fit with the Mini's purpose on the LAN.

So, no security updates, but also I think it's an acceptable level of risk. YMMV.

Either way, it goes without saying (but then of course I will say it) , turn off any and all features that are irrelevant to a headless machine ( screensavers, animations, etc ).

Or you can go the whole hog and install TrueNAS Core ( it works as long as you have two internal drives) rather than macOS. It works very well, the only really fiddly bit is getting the fan to behave.

 

[Xade]

Because you can make one from just about any computer. I personally run multiple TM backups within BSD jails.

The average user doesn't know what BSD jails are and wouldn't know where to start, whereas they could just do Time Machine back ups with their apple time capsule routers.

 

[Xade]

I'm a bit torn on that.

I used to miss the airports but... good news:

• Some companies are doing a decent job on wifi now, not just apple
• TrueNAS has time machine compatibility and can have you back up things to fast storage with actual fault tolerance

These days for casual users:

• just sync/backup to icloud, you have many devices anyway

for those who want more control and/or are more paranoid

• set up a time machine drive on your NAS. And back up your NAS somewhere else

I had time machine set up on my nas. Backed up beautifully. The first time I needed it it refused to restore. That never happened with my time caspule.

 

[Xade]

You can backup your macOS Photos through iCloud Photos. And macOS Documents and Settings quite easily with iCloud Drive.

Just pay that juicy monthly subscription!

 

[Brien]

Seems we all went to Ubiquiti!

 

[fhall1]

The average user doesn't know what BSD jails are and wouldn't know where to start, whereas they could just do Time Machine back ups with their apple time capsule routers.

I'm pretty tech savvy, having been involved with PCs since the late 80's, was a sysadmin for SunOS and Solaris, and retired as CTO from a gov't organization and never heard of a "BSD jail" before this thread. Still don't know what it is (too lazy to look it up).

 

[eifelbube]

It's so frustrating to me that Apple hasn't remained in the router and Time Capsule space.

Why isn't there an Apple router/Home Hub/Time Capsule solution on offer in 2026?

Because, first of all, networking hardware cannot generate the type of obsessive consumption disorder that makes millions buy a new iPhone every single year despite marginal improvements. Especially given Apple’s privacy & security emphasis, you’d think that a router is a staple product in their ecosystem. But I am afraid networking standards make it harder to lock third-party competitors out, i.e. lock users in.

 

[Jay-Jacob]

I never used router side of my Time capsule. I use it as Time Machine backups. I have tried other NAS before and they just awful and had to delete corrupted backup and start again, plus loads of connection issues. Gave up and got Time Capsule and they been amazing with Time Machine and work so reliable without issues. Shame they no longer supported. I will need try TimeCapsuleSMB some point before upgrade to MacOS 27. I rather not use 3rd party at moment. I do have Synology NAS (never used Time Machine on this) but not enough space for Time Machine.

I am planning get UniFi NAS to replace Time Capsule but prefer wait few more years cos storage prices shot up cos of AI buying all hardware up! Used be cheap for HDD for NAS and now it expensive! Even normal portable hard drives are expensive compared few years ago.

Basically I want use my Time Capsule until hard drives inside die or UniFi release 2nd generation NAS and drives prices drop bit.

 

[Mehaly]

This is close... as mentioned in the original article, about installing modern Samba on the Time Capsule for SMBv3 capability:

https://github.com/jamesyc/TimeCapsuleSMB



The original article, as quoted above didn't mention that, according to the GitHub project page, gen 1-4 Time Capsules can be flashed to activate the Samba server automatically after reboots. I wouldn't need to do that, apparently, since I have a gen-5 Time Capsule.


Thanks for the report! I expected more conversation about this. I may try it, mostly for "fun," as I currently use my TC just for WiFi. It looks like they've made it pretty easy, even providing a GUI macOS app to install it.

@Dietrichbatista have you tried doing a backup from macOS 27 (beta), or just macOS 26?

I’d really like to try it as well—do you have any experiences? Did you install it, and is it functioning properly? I cherish my Time Capsule and hope to keep it!

 

[Brian33]

I’d really like to try it as well—do you have any experiences? Did you install it, and is it functioning properly?

I haven't tried it yet. It's on my "list" of things to do, but I don't know when or if I'll get to it!

 

[Dietrichbatista]

This is close... as mentioned in the original article, about installing modern Samba on the Time Capsule for SMBv3 capability:

https://github.com/jamesyc/TimeCapsuleSMB



The original article, as quoted above didn't mention that, according to the GitHub project page, gen 1-4 Time Capsules can be flashed to activate the Samba server automatically after reboots. I wouldn't need to do that, apparently, since I have a gen-5 Time Capsule.


Thanks for the report! I expected more conversation about this. I may try it, mostly for "fun," as I currently use my TC just for WiFi. It looks like they've made it pretty easy, even providing a GUI macOS app to install it.

@Dietrichbatista have you tried doing a backup from macOS 27 (beta), or just macOS 26?

Hi there.. just Mac OS 26 latest version.. 🙂

 

[Apathist]

@Dietrichbatista have you tried doing a backup from macOS 27 (beta), or just macOS 26?

Hi there.. just Mac OS 26 latest version..

See this post in an earlier related thread:

Any rumors that Apple will replace the Time Capsule?

I've tried this, and it works really well. I can now select the Time Capsule drive as a backup destination on OS 27..!

forums.macrumors.com

I'm still running Sequoia and now use my 4th gen TCs for redundant storage and backups with CCC, not TM, so can't add anything to this.

But I'd maybe suggest anyone implementing the hack to note the issue (#177) mentioned under step 8 of the app instructions and in the troubleshooting FAQs. Not uncommon in my limited experience: it happened twice to one of my TCs during deployment. Both times I had pretty much concluded the device had been bricked, but persistence and repeated restarts/resets ultimately resurrected it. Third time was a charm.

So far, it's worked remarkably well for my limited purposes. I also notice, FWIW, that the TC disk can now be accessed via the iPad/iOS 18 Files app (via SMB).