UGOS Pro does not support AFP (Apple Filing Protocol). UGOS Pro (Ugreen's NAS operating system, built on Linux) provides SMB and NFS file sharing for Mac users. AFP is not listed as a supported protocol and is not available in any current UGOS Pro release. This is not a gap that is likely to change. AFP has been deprecated by Apple and is being phased out across the NAS industry.
In short: UGOS Pro uses SMB for Mac file sharing, which works natively on every Mac running macOS 10.9 or later. AFP is not supported in UGOS Pro. Current macOS versions support SMB natively, but SMB must be enabled in UGOS Pro and the Mac must have valid network access and NAS credentials.
What AFP Is and Why It Still Comes Up
AFP, or Apple Filing Protocol, is the network file-sharing protocol Apple created for Mac-to-Mac and Mac-to-server connections. Before OS X Mavericks, AFP was the traditional Mac network file-sharing protocol. Mavericks made SMB2 the default in 2013. Synology DSM, QNAP QTS, and other NAS platforms added AFP support to attract Mac users during that period.
Apple began phasing AFP out with macOS 10.9 Mavericks in 2013, which switched the default connection method to SMB 2 and later SMB 3. Apple had already deprecated AFP before Big Sur. macOS 11 removed AFP server functionality, while AFP client support remained available for legacy connections. Some established NAS platforms, including Synology DSM and QNAP QTS, still document AFP options for legacy compatibility, but SMB is the recommended protocol for current Mac setups.
The reason AFP still appears in search queries is that older network guides and NAS setup tutorials still reference it. Anyone following a guide written before 2016 will encounter AFP instructions. UGREEN's international NASync lineup launched in 2024, after AFP had already been deprecated. There was no reason to build AFP support into a new platform at that stage of the protocol's life.
How to Connect a Mac to a Ugreen NAS Running UGOS Pro
On a Mac running macOS 10.9 or later, connecting to a Ugreen NAS uses SMB. The steps below work on any current Mac OS:
Step 1: Open Finder. From the menu bar, select Go, then Connect to Server (keyboard shortcut: Command + K).
Step 2: In the address field, type smb://[NAS-IP-address] and click Connect. Replace [NAS-IP-address] with your NAS's local IP (visible in the UGOS Pro dashboard under Network).
Step 3: Enter your UGOS Pro username and password when prompted. The available shared folders will appear. Select the folder you want to mount.
To make the connection persist across reboots: In UGOS Pro, enable SMB in the File Services settings. On your Mac, after mounting the share, drag the server icon to your Login Items in System Preferences (System Settings on macOS Ventura and later) so it reconnects automatically on startup.
SMB version note: UGOS Pro supports SMB 2 and SMB 3. UGOS Pro and current macOS versions support SMB 3. SMB 3 provides modern security and performance features, but the active encryption and other negotiated features depend on the SMB configuration.
UGOS Pro vs Synology DSM: AFP Support Compared
Synology DSM still includes AFP as a toggleable option, listed under File Services alongside SMB and NFS. QNAP QTS has a similar legacy AFP toggle. Both brands still document AFP support. Synology recommends SMB and says AFP will be removed in a future DSM version.
UGOS Pro launched without AFP and has not added it. Given that Synology's own documentation now directs all Mac users to SMB rather than AFP, the practical gap between UGOS Pro and DSM on this point is minimal. Both platforms work the same way for any Mac running macOS 10.9 or later: you connect via SMB, and AFP is irrelevant.
AFP remains relevant where a client or storage device specifically requires it, including legacy AFP-only NAS and Time Capsule setups. Apple says AFP NAS backups are not recommended and will not be supported in macOS 27 or later. UGOS Pro is not suitable for those environments. Synology DSM or QNAP QTS would be the appropriate choice where legacy AFP support is genuinely required.
Does This Affect Time Machine Backups on Ugreen NAS?
For UGREEN NAS, the documented Time Machine workflow uses SMB and applies to macOS Monterey 12 or later. Apple recommends SMB for third-party NAS backups, while legacy AFP NAS backups remain supported through macOS 26. UGOS Pro supports Time Machine backups over SMB. In UGOS Pro, designate the destination under Control Panel > File Service > SMB > Advanced Settings by selecting Set time machine folder. For discovery, enable SMB and Bonjour, designate the Time Machine folder, then mount and select it in the Mac's Time Machine settings.
Time Machine AFP support was the reason many older NAS setup guides specified AFP over SMB for Mac deployments. That guidance is outdated. If you are setting up Time Machine on a Ugreen NAS today, use SMB. It works on all current Mac hardware and macOS versions.
For background on the full UGREEN NAS range and where to buy in Australia, see the UGREEN NAS Australia guide. For a full review of what UGOS Pro offers beyond file sharing, see our UGOS Pro review.
Related reading: our NAS buyer's guide.
See also: our complete UGREEN NAS Australia guide.
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No. UGOS Pro does not support AFP. Mac file sharing on UGOS Pro uses SMB, which works natively on every Mac running macOS 10.9 or later. AFP is not needed for any current Mac setup.
Will UGOS Pro add AFP support in a future update?
This is unlikely. Apple deprecated AFP in macOS 11 (2020) and the protocol is being phased out across the NAS industry. UGREEN publicly presented UGOS Pro with its international NASync lineup in 2024, after AFP had already been deprecated. New AFP support would serve a shrinking user base and conflict with the direction Apple and most NAS platforms are moving.
I set up my old NAS using AFP. Will I need to reconfigure everything on a Ugreen NAS?
Yes, you will need to connect via SMB instead of AFP. The connection address changes from afp://[IP] to smb://[IP] in Finder's Connect to Server dialog. Changing the Finder address to smb:// is straightforward, but when moving to a new UGREEN NAS you must recreate or verify shared folders, users, groups and access permissions separately. Time Machine destinations need to be recreated on the new NAS regardless of protocol.
Does Synology DSM still support AFP?
Yes, Synology DSM includes a legacy AFP toggle under File Services. However, Synology's own documentation now directs all Mac users to use SMB. AFP on DSM is maintained for compatibility with older Mac setups, not as a recommended protocol for new deployments.
What protocol does UGOS Pro use for NFS (Linux and advanced Mac setups)?
UGOS Pro supports NFS alongside SMB. NFS is mainly used for Linux clients and advanced homelab setups. For standard Mac file sharing, SMB is the correct choice. A Mac can connect to an NFS share through Finder's Connect to Server using an nfs:// address, although advanced mount options or persistent configurations may require command-line setup.
For a full breakdown of UGOS Pro features, limitations, and how it compares to Synology DSM and QNAP QTS, see our UGOS Pro review.