Starting with macOS 26 Tahoe, the OS now warns users that AirPort Disk and Apple Time Capsule-style network disks will no longer be supported for Time Machine backups in the next major release. That message appears in the Time Machine section of System Settings in macOS 26.
macOS 26 Tahoe (released in September 2025, with the latest update being 26.3 in February 2026) does not completely drop support for Time Capsule or AirPort Extreme-connected disks for Time Machine backups. Existing backups to these devices (using the legacy Apple Filing Protocol, or AFP) generally continue to work in Tahoe, including incremental backups to pre-existing Time Machine stores on HFS+-formatted volumes.
However, there are significant limitations introduced in Tahoe:
- You can no longer create new Time Machine backup stores on a Time Capsule (or other AFP-based network storage). If you erase or delete an existing backup set, you won’t be able to start a fresh one.
- Apple added warnings in System Settings > Time Machine (and sometimes pop-ups) indicating that Time Capsule disks are “not recommended” and that the next major version (macOS 27, expected in fall 2026) will fully drop support for AFP-based network backups like Time Capsule/AirPort Extreme disks. Future backups will require modern protocols like SMBv2/SMBv3.
- Some users have reported bugs or quirks in Tahoe updates (e.g., 26.2 causing excessive space usage on Time Capsules or issues after erasing), though these appear partially resolved in later point releases like 26.3.
This change stems from Apple’s long-planned deprecation of AFP (an outdated protocol), which Time Capsules rely on for sharing their internal drives or attached USB storage over the network. Time Capsules were discontinued hardware in 2018, so this is part of phasing out legacy features.
In short:
- Tahoe (macOS 26): Partial/limited support — existing backups function, but no new ones can be initiated on these devices.
- macOS 27 (upcoming): Full removal of support — Time Machine won’t back up to or restore from Time Capsule disks at all.
If you’re still using a Time Capsule for Time Machine:
- Consider migrating to a modern alternative soon, such as a directly connected external drive (USB/Thunderbolt, preferably APFS-formatted), a compatible NAS supporting SMB (e.g., Synology or QNAP models), or cloud options like iCloud/Backblaze.
- Alternatives for wireless backups include third-party tools like Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper! for scheduled clones, though they aren’t full Time Machine replacements.
- If your backups are critical, test restores from your current setup and plan ahead before upgrading to macOS 27.
This aligns with Apple’s announced direction from mid-2025 betas onward. If you’re seeing specific errors or issues with your setup in Tahoe, checking Apple’s support docs or forums for troubleshooting (e.g., non-ASCII characters in device names causing problems) may help in the interim.
Recommended Alternatives
If you are still relying on a Time Capsule, it is time to transition your backup strategy before macOS 27 drops support entirely.
| Alternative | Pros | Cons |
| Direct-Attached SSD/HDD | Fastest, most reliable, and supports APFS natively. | Requires a physical cable connection. |
| Modern NAS (e.g., Synology, QNAP) | Wireless, supports SMB Time Machine backups, much higher capacity. | Significant upfront cost. |
| Networked Mac | You can use another Mac on your network as a “Time Machine Server.” | The “server” Mac must be kept on and awake. |
Summary: Enjoy your AirPort backups while they last. macOS 26 marks them as deprecated, but macOS 27 will end support entirely, making network disk backups via legacy hardware impossible.