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Configuring macOS Sonoma (13.x) or newer Time Machine with a Buffalo TeraStation


  1. Access Settings, the TeraStation's web user interface, by entering the current IP address of the unit into a web browser. If the current IP is unknown the unit can be located using NAS Navigator. If NAS Navigator is not installed, download and install the application by clicking on the provided URLs here: Windows or Mac.
  2. From the main GUI screen click on the "File Sharing" tab and click the button on the right to open the "Folder Setup" menu.
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  3. For this example, we will create a new shared folder for Time Machine. 
    While you can use an existing folder it is NOT recommended.
    To create a new shared folder, click Create Folder.
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  4. Name the folder (the example will use "TimeMachine" as the name). The only requirement is that "AFP" is chosen for "LAN Protocol Support".
    Note: For TS5020 and TS7010 series' TimeMachine feature, the requirement for "LAN Protocol Support" has been changed from "AFP" to "SMB".
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  6. The new folder is now listed in the shared folder list. Click Close on the lower right.
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  7. From Settings, click "Backup" tab and click the widget to the right of "Time Machine".
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  8. The "Target Folder" field should display "Not configured". Click Edit to configure the target folder.
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  9. Select the folder you wish to use for Time Machine and click OK.
    If you did not see the Time Machine Share you just created here, check if SMB or AFP are enabled in the created Share settings, or if the SMB or AFP services are enabled in the File Sharing tab.007.png
  10. The correct folder should now be listed as the target. Click OK.
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  11. From Settings, click the slide switch to enable Time Machine. It should turn blue.
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  12. From the Mac desktop, click on "Go" from the menu bar and select "Applications".
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  13. Double-click "System Settings".
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  14. Click "General" at the left, then click "Time Machine" at the right.
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  15. Click on "Add Backup Disk".
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  16. Click on the Time Machine share that was created earlier, click "Set Up Disk..."
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  17. Click "Connect" to connect to the NAS Share.
  18. Enter the login information. This can be an user created for this purpose or the admin login.
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  19. You can setup Encrypt Backup or setup Disk Usage Limit as desired.
    Click "Done" to finish TimeMachine setup.
  20. Time Machine should automatically be turned on now. 
    At this point setup is finished. Log out of Settings and close all windows.
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