Synology has reversed its long-standing policy, now allowing third-party hard disk drives in its network-attached storage devices. This change addresses years of frustration from users seeking greater storage flexibility. The move aims to boost sales and rebuild trust among customers.
For years, Synology's NAS systems have been popular for home and professional data storage, but users often faced restrictions on using non-proprietary hard drives. This limitation led to widespread frustration, as it forced customers to purchase Synology-branded or approved HDDs, increasing costs and reducing options.
In a significant policy shift, Synology has now unlocked full compatibility with third-party HDDs across its NAS lineup. This means users can integrate drives like the 30TB Seagate Exos without compatibility issues, opening up more affordable and high-capacity storage solutions.
The announcement, detailed in a TechRadar article published on October 15, 2025, highlights this as a major step toward regaining user trust. By embracing storage flexibility, Synology hopes to stimulate sales in a competitive market dominated by flexible alternatives from competitors.
No specific timeline for implementation was provided, but the change applies broadly to the company's NAS products. This development could encourage more users to upgrade or expand their setups with preferred hardware.