Synology tightens restrictions devices

Synology that the company is preparing to implement new restrictions on third-party hard drives in its upcoming network-attached storage (NAS) devices later this year. As a result of the changes, it might be much more difficult to use third-party drives in Synology devices for common applications like backing up computers at home or serving as local media servers. The good news is that the change won't affect you if you already own a Synology NAS, according to the company. "Starting with Plus Series models released in 2025, Synology brand and that the company has certified to meet its specifications.

Indeed, updates to its "Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)" and "DSM" (DiskStation Manager)" have tightened restrictions on third-party hard drives in its NAS (Network Attached Storage) devices.

Yes, Synology's DSM (Disk Station Manager) operating system updates have gradually tightened restrictions on third-party hard drives in its NAS devices. What you need to know is as follows:

1. Drive Compatibility Policy from Synology

An official compatibility list (HCL) of SSDs and hard drives tested and recommended for use in Synology NAS systems is kept up to date. - When using drives that have not been approved, Synology has added warnings or even restrictions in recent DSM updates.

2. Recent Modifications and Limitations

• Storage Manager Warnings: DSM may display alerts indicating that a drive is "not on the recommended list," despite the fact that it typically permits its use.

• Limited Support: Synology may deny technical support for issues arising from the use of non-certified drives, despite the fact that they still "work." According to some customers, Synology might deny support for problems with drives from third parties.

• "Potential Performance Throttling": Although this is not officially confirmed, unconfirmed claims suggest that Synology might slow down performance for drives that are not supported.

• M.2 SSD Restrictions: Certain newer models, such as those in the XS and XS+ series, require caching from SSDs manufactured by Synology.

• "Not Recommended" Alerts: Synology's DSM now warns against third-party drives if they are not on the official HCL, even if they are from major brands like Seagate, WD, or Toshiba.

3. Why is Synology carrying out this?

• Revenue from Drive Sales: Synology charges a premium for its own branded drives, which encourages customers to buy them.

• Stability & Support: Certified drives, according to them, guarantee dependability and reduce support headaches. They say that certified drives make NAS environments more reliable and efficient.

• "Preventing Drive-Related Failures": RAID setups may encounter issues with certain third-party drives, particularly SMR drives.

4. Solutions for Using Drives from Other Parties

• Ignore Warnings: Despite alerts, most third-party drives, such as WD Red and Seagate IronWolf, continue to function properly.

• Manual SMART Tests: Check the health of the drive on a regular basis.

• "Community Mods": Some users use scripts or system files to circumvent restrictions (though this may void the warranty).

• "Enterprise Drives": Enterprise-grade drives of high quality, such as the WD Ultrastar and Seagate Exos, frequently function properly.

5. Do You Need to Be Concerned?

• Your WD Red Plus, IronWolf, or Toshiba N300 NAS drives are likely to continue functioning.

• In RAID configurations, avoid shingled magnetic recording (SMR) drives.

• For support reasons, sticking with Synology's HCL may be safer for mission-critical setups.

Although Synology is encouraging users to use approved drives, third-party drives still work in most cases—at least for the time being. If you rely on unofficial drives, keep an eye out for new restrictions in DSM updates and think about purchasing from the compatibility list if stability is important to you.

Would you like assistance determining whether your current drives are impacted?