Can I use third-party hard drives in a 2025 Synology DiskStation Plus running DSM 7.3?

Applies to

2025 DiskStation Plus models running DSM 7.3 or later. Check the current policy for the exact series and drive type. Do not apply this answer to RS Plus, XS/XS+, Value/J or enterprise systems.

Work through these checks

1. Record the complete NAS model, DSM build and exact drive model and firmware. Distinguish a 3.5-inch HDD, 2.5-inch SATA SSD and M.2 NVMe SSD. Capacity and brand alone are insufficient for a compatibility decision.
2. Open Synology's compatibility page for that exact NAS. Check both compatible and incompatible results and any notes for the exact drive. A drive that is absent from the list has a different status from one specifically listed as incompatible.
3. Read the current drive-policy table for DS Plus. The 27-May-26 revision permits unlisted HDDs and 2.5-inch SATA SSDs for the stated operations in that series. The same table keeps new M.2 pool/cache creation tied to listed models.
4. If the NAS already holds data, record its drive status and pool health without changing the disk database. A warning about verification is not permission to erase, initialise or replace a healthy pool. Ask our Specialist to review support implications before a purchase or storage change.
5. For a planned new installation, confirm model-specific bay, drive-size and intended-role requirements with the administrator. Prepare a backup and recovery plan before an upgrade or migration; changing DSM merely to remove a warning should not be rushed on a production NAS.

Confirm the result

Verify the selected NAS, drive and intended operation against the current list and policy again before installation. After an approved setup, check pool health and the exact Storage Manager message.

When to contact us

Escalate if the drive is incompatible, the model series is outside this scope, or the task involves M.2 storage, enterprise support or migration. Supply exact part numbers and the proposed role.