Synology has backed down from only allowing certified hard drives that it conveniently sells in its 2025 network attached storage device line — but the new 7.3 DSM update is far from a complete reversal of policy.

In April, Synology made changes to the software running its 2025 range of network-attached storage, limiting what drives could be used with the devices. One that happened to limit that support only to its own-branded drives and excluding all other manufacturers.

It's now siix months later. After intense online criticism, Synology has decided to change its mind.

Synology's release of DiskStation Manager 7.3 on October 8 includes an admission that it may not have done the right thing by forcing users to only use Synology drives. One said through gritted teeth, and far from being a permanent change.

Describing it as a change for "expanded storage flexibility," Synology's press release for the update states that the 25-year DiskStation Plus, Value, and J-series NAS devices running DSM 7.3 will support the installation of "non-validated third-party drives."

In effect, the update lifts the restriction on affected NAS products, allowing users to install whatever drive brands they want beyond just Synology-certified drives.

A delay, not a climbdown

The announcement isn't a complete role reversal from Synology's stance in requiring drives to meet the company's own standards. Really, it's a case of Synology punting its implementation further down the field.

Synology insists that it has come up with a standardized process for testing and validation of hardware and software components of drives. April's listing of just Synology drives as being compatible was due to the company having tested its own models, and not having verified other manufacturers drives yet.

It is now "collaborating closely" with other drive manufacturers to speed up the verification process. Eventually, drives from other manufacturers that meet the requirements will be added to the supported list.

Synology's change in DSM 7.3 is a temporary measure to appease users while this verification process continues.

Eventually, Synology will start to restrict drives to only those that it deems to be worthy of its NAS hardware. The only difference is that it will include drives from other producers, and look far less like a cash grab.