With the first developer beta of macOS 27 Golden Gate, Apple has taken a historic step by completely removing support for the AFP (Apple Filing Protocol). This decision marks the end of compatibility with Time Capsule, the network backup device launched back in 2008. After nearly two decades, users still relying on this solution face a stark choice: modernize their backup system or stick with older software. However, a community project by a Microsoft engineer offers a potential workaround.
The Time Capsule story began at Macworld Expo in January 2008, when Apple introduced a device combining a Wi-Fi router with NAS-style network storage designed to work seamlessly with Time Machine. The entire AirPort lineup, including AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme, had not been updated since 2013. In April 2018, Apple announced the discontinuation of the entire line, selling remaining units while supplies lasted. By November 2018, all models were sold out. Since then, users have continued using Time Capsule with successive macOS versions until a warning appeared with macOS 26 Tahoe, confirming that AFP support would end with macOS 27.
Sponsored Protocol
AFP was introduced by Apple in 1988 as part of AppleTalk. With OS X 10.9 Mavericks in 2013, SMB (Server Message Block) became the primary file-sharing protocol, and the ability to run an AFP server was removed in macOS 11 Big Sur in 2020. macOS 27 Golden Gate is the final chapter: the AFP client is absent, ending over 40 years of history in the Apple ecosystem. All Time Capsule models rely on AFP and SMBv1, a version from 1987. Going forward, Time Machine requires SMBv2 or SMBv3, which excludes every Time Capsule in its stock form. Additionally, macOS 27 enforces stricter network security requirements, including TLS 1.2, a bar that Time Capsule hardware cannot meet.
Sponsored Protocol
The community response is a GitHub project called TimeCapsuleSMB, created by James Chang, a Microsoft engineer. Rather than replacing Apple's firmware, it installs a modern Samba build directly onto the Time Capsule. The device runs a Samba 4.24.3 server, advertises itself over Bonjour, and accepts authenticated SMB3 connections. Users can connect via a standard SMB URL in Finder, bypassing Apple's legacy stack.
Not all Time Capsule models are equal. Only the fifth-generation tower model from 2013 auto-restarts the Samba server after a reboot. Earlier models require a manual activate command every time the device loses power, meaning backups may silently stop after an outage. Also, switching to SMB via TimeCapsuleSMB starts a new Time Machine backup chain, treating the new destination as a fresh start. No long-term restore testing has been published for the project, so a secondary backup destination is recommended.
Sponsored Protocol
macOS 27 Golden Gate is currently in developer beta, with a public beta due in July and a general release set for September. It is compatible only with Apple silicon Macs. Intel Mac users who stay on macOS 26 can continue using Time Capsule for the foreseeable future. Apple silicon owners who want to upgrade need a compliant backup target in place first, whether a modern NAS, an external drive, or a patched Time Capsule running TimeCapsuleSMB. For those exploring alternative storage solutions, the story of SpaceX alum turning rocket engines into geothermal turbines shows how technology can be repurposed. Meanwhile, data security remains crucial, as highlighted by the AI under US Control case. To learn more about the history of file-sharing protocols, refer to the Wikipedia page on AFP.
Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/06/17/macos-27-golden-gate-kills-time-capsule-support
