Synology could bring “certified drive” requirements to more NAS devices

Synology will require its Plus series NAS devices, starting with the 2025 lineup, to use only Synology-provided or certified hard drives for full functionality and support. This move aims to ensure higher security and performance. Existing Plus hardware will not be affected until the next upgrade. Users can transfer existing approved drives to new models without losing support. Non-approved drives may lack features like pool creation, deduplication, lifespan analysis, and automatic firmware updates. The change could potentially be limited to Germany or the EU, but Synology has previously applied similar requirements globally for higher-end machines.