Synology 2025 NAS series HDD and SSD Lock In Confirmed

[Schnapps]

Not public and not confirmed yet, but under highly certain that Synology choose to have a lock-in implemented for 3rd party HDDs and SSDs for the 2025 NAS series.

 

So what does this mean? It means all new 2025 Synology NAS devices will be able to run ONLY Synology-branded SSDs and HDDs.

 

ℹ️ Older generation NAS series wont be affected by this change. So if you have already a Synology NAS device that’s present in the current “Synology Products Compatibility List”, you won’t be affected.

 

💡 I see this as a despicable move from Synology and I hope they’ll find out the hard way that corporate greed is NO BUENO.

 

More info:

 

[smileyworld]

This is publicly confirmed by Synology on their German website:
https://www.synology.com/de-de/company/news/article/DACH_VL_plus/Synology setzt für kommende Plus-Modelle verstärkt auf das eigene Ökosystem

 

Translated by Google

https://www-synology-com.translate.goog/de-de/company/news/article/DACH_VL_plus/Synology setzt für kommende Plus-Modelle verstärkt auf das eigene Ökosystem?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

[Schnapps]

1 hour ago, smileyworld said:

This is publicly confirmed by Synology on their German website:
https://www.synology.com/de-de/company/news/article/DACH_VL_plus/Synology setzt für kommende Plus-Modelle verstärkt auf das eigene Ökosystem

 

Translated by Google

https://www-synology-com.translate.goog/de-de/company/news/article/DACH_VL_plus/Synology setzt für kommende Plus-Modelle verstärkt auf das eigene Ökosystem?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

[smileyworld]

There is an update on this:
 

Summarized update:

• Synology's New Drive Policy Explained
  • Third-Party Drive Validation Plans
    • Synology plans to develop a revamped third-party drive validation program.
    • Drives undergo 7,000+ hours of testing before approval.
  • Performance and Reliability Justification
    • Claims of 40% fewer issues and 88% reduction in storage anomalies with validated drives.
    • Focus on eliminating issues from firmware or hardware changes by other manufacturers.
• Community Reactions & Concerns
  • Screenshots Leaked: Users attempting to install DSM with non-validated drives found the system blocked them at setup.
  • Hardcoded Restrictions: Compatibility appears embedded in installation files, not just in software warnings.
  • Unclear Verification Process: Uncertainty around who validates third-party drives—Synology, manufacturers, or a partnership?
• Positive Points:
  • Direction toward a unified ecosystem is not unexpected.
  • Long-term strategy appears consistent with prior communication.
• Concerns:
  • Ambiguity in rollout messaging and implementation.
  • Lack of transparency on testing and statistics.
  • Frustration with limitations on SSDs, surveillance drives, and enterprise use cases.

The next time I have to buy a NAS (private or business), I will not choose Synology.

[Schnapps]

7 hours ago, smileyworld said:

Community Reactions & Concerns

• Screenshots Leaked: Users attempting to install DSM with non-validated drives found the system blocked them at setup.
• Hardcoded Restrictions: Compatibility appears embedded in installation files, not just in software warnings.

 

 

This part is the shitty part that would make me go away from Synology. And it's sad because I've been using Synology for business and personal purposes for well over 15 years.

[gadreel]

Linus also mentioned it.

 

Also told a story that Synology wanted to sue him when they tried to upload a video about XPEnology. The DIY idea... 

 

 

Edited April 24 by gadreel

[smileyworld]

I don't think snyology has thought this through.

 

He has totally a point with many people who run xpenologys also buy their devices.

 

I bought for example:

• 1x DS216j
• 3x DS224+
• 1x DS3617xs
• 1x RT6600AX

and recommended them many times, which in return generated more money for them.

 

This lock in however is an absolute NOGO!

[smileyworld]

I will probably have to move over to proxmox and truenas anyways but in case anyone want's to continue:

Here you go:

 

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1371655-synology-dsm-7-drive-lock-bypass/

[jacqlittle]

That limitation is for original Synology NASes, not for XPEnology.

[Peter Suh]

https://github.com/RROrg/rr/issues/8349#issuecomment-2837153590

 

This method, as suggested by @007revad, should work on the original device as well.

[007revad]

I have a DS925+ and the restrictions are easy to bypass. 

https://github.com/007revad/Synology_HDD_db/blob/main/2025_plus_models.md