Current Status of Time Machine for MacOS on Merlin Firmware

[Istvanwagon]

Hi,

I would like to use a 4TB Seagate external HDD to serve as a back-up for multiple laptops on my home network; this worked a few years ago but then stopped working, but I am trying to re-establish this functionality.

I am trying to piece together the current state of affairs about using the Time Machine option for my RT-AX88U running Merlin but am not putting all of the puzzle pieces together due to my novice level. I see various threads previously posted below and have gathered this much:

1). Time Machine support from Asus has been becoming more unreliable over the years. This is not helped by the migration to Apple silicon Macs on how Time Machine is accessed. (I am on a M2 machine running Sequoia MacOS 15.2)
2). Although 4TB drives are supported by Asus, limitations on Entware fd place a 2TB limit. This can be circumvented with GPT / gdisk (which I believe is on Entware also). I might have to partition the drive create a swap file (?) (even though I have a swap file on another connected USB Drive which has Entware).
3) Adguard seems to interfere with this solution, but I don't have that installed so not an issue for me.
4). There may be some shell commands needed to set up the proper location for the backups to be run
5). Some NAS solutions may work more reliably (not exactly sure why this matters vs. my Seagate HDD)


Can someone tell me if my understanding is correct, and tell me if my use case is possible? And if so, can you point me to the specific steps in the threads below / elsewhere that I should follow in a step-by-step manner to set this up?

Maximum HDD capacity?

Hey there. I have an RT-AX58U with the latest Merlin. AFAIK the partition/disk(?) size is limited by Asus. But even my cheaper router can handle my 6 TB HDD and this capacity in the 21st century it's not a "big deal". Is there any way or tweak to unlock this restriction on Merlin?

www.snbforums.com

Disk formatting

Third party firmware for Asus routers (newer codebase) - RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng

github.com

GT-AX11000 Time Machine Not working on latest Merlin

Is time machine working correctly anymore. I notice that my drive never completes a backup but instead just disconnects. I am wondering if people are having success using the time machine feature. I am on the current firmware beta 3004.388.8.

www.snbforums.com

Thanks...

 

[bbunge]

Time and time again the old hands here tell folks that a router does not make a good NAS. Invest in something that is made to store data! Even a Raspberry Pi can make a basic NAS that is better than a router.

And, Time Machine can use an SMB share, Does not need an Apple specific Time Machine device.

 

[bennor]

Some relevant Asus support docs on Time Machine.

[Wireless Router] How to enable Time Machine feature on ASUS Router? | Official Support | ASUS Global

[Wireless Router] Time Machine FAQ | Official Support | ASUS Global

 

[Istvanwagon]

Some relevant Asus support docs on Time Machine.

[Wireless Router] How to enable Time Machine feature on ASUS Router? | Official Support | ASUS Global

[Wireless Router] Time Machine FAQ | Official Support | ASUS Global

Thanks -- I have set this up before, so I am familiar with these pages. Originally, I thought the 4TB drive would work but then found out after I bought it only the 2TB default would be supported. My problem is that the Merlin software won't even see the drive even when I format it with the GUI. See screenshots attached from Merlin GUI home page and AMTM disk check log.

 

[Istvanwagon]

Time and time again the old hands here tell folks that a router does not make a good NAS. Invest in something that is made to store data! Even a Raspberry Pi can make a basic NAS that is better than a router.

And, Time Machine can use an SMB share, Does not need an Apple specific Time Machine device.

Thanks; understood I don't need Apple specific hardware. I do have a RPi 4 lying around that I am not really doing anything with, and I am willing to try it. Is there a step-by-step tutorial you can point me to for this?

 

[Ripshod]

Thanks; understood I don't need Apple specific hardware. I do have a RPi 4 lying around that I am not really doing anything with, and I am willing to try it. Is there a step-by-step tutorial you can point me to for this?

I can help with the pi file server (samba) setup by simply pointing you to the pimylifeup.com website. Install ubuntu then enter "samba server" in the site's search box, all those answers are there.
Unfortunately I don't use apple anything to help with the rest.

 

[bluzfanmr1]

I always play around with Time Machine backups on the router just to see if it works. I does work on 3004.388.8_4 and it's as simple as turning it on and setting up the parameters you want.

 

[New2This]

Thanks; understood I don't need Apple specific hardware. I do have a RPi 4 lying around that I am not really doing anything with, and I am willing to try it. Is there a step-by-step tutorial you can point me to for this?

Ive got a Raspberry Pi with a USB drive, which Ive installed Dietpi and install Nextcloud which, dietpi does it all for you they have a large list of software you can install-then Ive downloaded the app onto my M1 and I can backup all my stuff there,

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[ApexRon]

Several years ago I attempted to use my ASUS RT-AC86U Time Machine function to backup my Intel MacBook Pro. Due to the unreliability of that solution, even as an SMB server, I gave up and moved the hard drive to my Raspberry Pi which was set up as a NAS server, Ethernet attached to router. At the time that turned out to be unreliable too.

At the end of 2023 I had to replace router with an ASUS RT-X86U Pro but never retried WiFi TimeMachine backup to it or the RPi.

Fast forward to 2024. In preparation for replacement of my Intel MBP with a M3 MacBook Air, I purchased a 2Tb SSD and configured with three partitions (PhotosBkUp, TimeMachine, and Work) and attached to MBP for a month with daily TimeMachine backups. I installed the MBA and just moved the SSD over. It works.

In your case, I would recommend trying to use your router's TimeMachine function. If it turns out to be unreliable you can go to a NAS solution. Raspberry Pi is a good solution at about $150 or less but it takes a little skill to setup especially in headless mode. Another consideration is if you have a laptop that remains in place all the time you could plug hard drive into it, partition it, and then share with other laptops to use as TimeMachine storage.

 

[maxbraketorque]

If any of your Macs are permanent desktop machines, then the easiest solution is to attach your external drive to that Mac, and turn on file sharing on that machine. This will get you the best possible TimeMachine performance.

If none of your machines are permanent desktop machines, then purchase an M1 Mac Mini with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD. Can get these on ebay for $300 shipped. Not only can this act as a TM server, but it can also tackle other duties if desired such as being a Plex server.

 

[bluzfanmr1]

I have several $10 Pogoplug's, hacked with Debian, as TM backup servers. Works great.

 

[sfx2000]

If none of your machines are permanent desktop machines, then purchase an M1 Mac Mini with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD. Can get these on ebay for $300 shipped. Not only can this act as a TM server, but it can also tackle other duties if desired such as being a Plex server.

This is my approach, and one I highly recommend...

It's the best way to do network based timemachine backup, and once set up, give Content Caching a try...

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[Istvanwagon]

If any of your Macs are permanent desktop machines, then the easiest solution is to attach your external drive to that Mac, and turn on file sharing on that machine. This will get you the best possible TimeMachine performance.

If none of your machines are permanent desktop machines, then purchase an M1 Mac Mini with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD. Can get these on ebay for $300 shipped. Not only can this act as a TM server, but it can also tackle other duties if desired such as being a Plex server.

OMG - YES! This is such an obvious solution! How did I miss this? Already set up and good to go. Thank you!