
Make sure you use a drive that has a decent amount of storage space. There are three general steps to get your third-party Time Capsule up and running. Steps to turn a router into a Time Capsule alternative Also, you can use a single storage device as the backup destination for multiple Macs. Using a Time Capsule, you can backup the Mac via your local network without having anything attached to it.
#SHOULD I USE MY PASSPORT FOR MAC TO BACKUP WITH TIME MACHINE PLUS#
However, that can be cumbersome for laptop users, plus the drive can host the backup of just one computer. Time Machine works when you plug a drive directly into your Mac’s USB (or Thunderbolt) port.

To make sure, though, check with the manufacturer on a specific model. But not all routers with a USB port can handle this. (Note: Linksys doesn’t officially support Time Machine, but you might be able to make it work by using a drive formatted using the HFS+ file system.) Among these, Asus routers’ support is the most comprehensive. Some from Linksys and Netgear do, too, though you might have to do some tweaking. Generally, from my experience, most routers (that have a USB port) from Asus and TP-Link support Time Machine. Get a high-end Wi-Fi 5 router or a new Wi-Fi 6 one. On top of that, ideally, the router should have updated hardware specs. It has to support Time Machine - a matter of luck.It has to have a peripheral port - mostly a USB port - for storage hosting.To work well as a Time Capsule alternative, a router needs to meet a few criteria. Which routers support Time Machine backup Notes on using third-party Time Capsule.

