Can you use the apple time capsule as just a wireless hard drive without using it as a router

Can i use the apple time capsule as just a wireless hard drive without using a router

You can, but this type of configuration is not recommended or supported by Apple.
Two cautions if you want to try this:
1) The Time Capsule has to be configured to "Join" your existing wireless network in this type of setup...and to do that, you must know the exact type of wireless security that your network is using.
2) Backups are going to take twice as long. The wireless signal must travel from your computer to the wireless router and then from the wireless router back to the Time Capsule. Two "hops"......even if the computer is located close to the Time Capsule.
If you want to try this, we can tell you how....but with no guarantees on your results....since this is not officially supported.

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Can apple time capsule act as a wireless hard drive storage by Samsung smart tv?

Can apple time capsule act as a wireless hard drive storage by Samsung smart tv? Samsung smart tv is connected to apple time capsule through wireless as a modem at the moment

If you look on the right side there pops up similar questions.. which works better than search btw..
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16432256#16432256
The Samsung.. may not be able to see the Time Capsule hard disk..
because it does not contain any files it can read.
because it is not conformed to standard SMB file system.. the TC name is often illegal.. remove all spaces and special characters and keep it short.
Same for wireless name and all passwords.
There is no media player in the TC so it is useless for your TV even if it can see the hard drive .. the TC is a dumb backup device.

Can I use the Apple Time Capsule to store my compressed DVD's and access from my iPad/iPod/iPhone while on a trip if I have the Time Capsule plugged in in the car/SUV?

Can I use the Apple Time Capsule to store my compressed DVD's & BD's to access from my iPad/iPod/iPhone wirelessly while on a trip if I have the Time Capsule plugged in in the car/SUV?

castruck wrote:
I would be accessing the files wirelessly from the iPad/iPod/iPhone to play the files.
what player do you intend to use? That is what I am wanting to check.. you understand there is no itunes server in the TC..
BTW if you want to use the TC in your car/SUV.. convert it to 12v operation.
https://sites.google.com/site/lapastenague/time-capsule-power-supply-repair-kits

Can i use the time capsule as just an external hard drive for music or does it have to be used soley as a backe up?? im thinking for music and photos

Can I use the time capsule as just an external hard drive for music or does it have to be used soley as a back up? I'm thinking for music and photos

Nickles96 wrote:
Hello friends.. I have a similar question, in that I would like to purchase the 2TB TC for use as a NAS device, in addition to taking advantage of the Air Port extreme.. Then I could dump my Linksys router.
I was originally looking at a Synology NAS solution, but the TC seems like it can meet my needs.
I have a Synology NAS as well as the Time Capsule. If you look at the 3.2 beta program, the Synology actually attempts to replicate TC functionality in that you can use it with Time Machine on your Mac.
I must say, Airport on the TC is definitely a nice feature!
Nickles96 wrote:
In addition to the obvious feature of the backup, can I indeed also use the TC as a NAS drive to access from remote locations (example from the office)?
I'm surprised more people aren't using the TC as a dedicated NAS deviced.. I've searched high and low on forums around the web, and don't seem to see many people trying to use it as I've outlined.
I can't see why this wouldn't fufill my needs, and take the place of a separate NAS solution (like the Synology, or iOmega, Seagate, etc....)
Has anyone used this TC as such?
Yes, you can do this and it's something I've been trying to do, but I'm currently having issues. I have another thread stating I consistently get "connection failed" messages. I'm basically storing my music/photo/video files on the TC and keeping my Mac hard drive fairly lean. In terms of NAS functionality, the TC is very basic. Synology/QNAP and others have a lot more features so don't rule them out.

Can I use my 2TB Time Capsule ONLY as an external hard drive for Time Machine backups?

Hi...wondering if somebody could help me out there.
I currently have an older Apple 2TB Time Capsule (previous generation) which I'm using as both my WiFi access point, as well as my Time Machine backup location for both my iMac and my MacBook Pro.
We've been having slow WiFi issues in our home, and seeing as how this Time Capsule is a number of years old, were thinking of upgrading to the faster WiFi routers with 802.11ac capability. I'll be honest when I say we were considering other options, beyond the newest Time Capsule.
My question is, can we somehow use the 2TB of storage on our current Time Capsule for the purpose of backing up our computers with Time Machine, but NOT use the WiFi functionality of the Time Capsule itself?
I'm assuming if I manually plugged either my iMac or MacBook Pro (wired ethernet) into the Time Capsule, I could likely get that computer to recognize and use it for Time Machine purposes, but I'd like to use it to backup both computers, ideally wirelessly on the MacBook Pro.
Any help would be great.
Right now I'm running a DSL line into a DSL modem, which then runs ethernet into my Time Capsule. From there, I have a 4 port switch connected for wired devices (we wired our home with ethernet jacks in almost every room). We also have an Airport Express to extend the range of the network.
Thanks,
Jason

You can bridge the TC and plug it into whatever wireless router you buy.
There is no need to turn off the wireless in the TC.. but you can set it up as a secondary wireless network. That is totally up to you. I find the Gen4 TC very fast on 5ghz.. but you need it to be close to the computers.. in your case that should be dead easy.. simply plug it in by ethernet in the same room as the iMac say.. and set it up with bridge and the imac plugged into it by ethernet.. one computer then can access the internet and backup via ethernet with huge speed improvements.. the laptop can then use whatever your new router wireless network.. or the TC one if it is close enough..
So there are plenty of variations and your setup is easy to handle with the large amount of ethernet you have.
Just post again if you need specifics.. but I need specifics to give them!!

HT1175 Apple Time capsule to backup my external hard drive - on exclusion list???

I want to set apple capsule to backup my external hard drive, but it is currently in the exclusion list.
I can't remove it from the exclusion list, because I can't select it and the - option is greyed out.
It is a WD Passport, used for document files only.
With thanks.
D.

Time Machine can't back up drives in some formats, such as FAT32.
(75713)

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Use Time Capsule as a external wireless hard drive

i want to use TC as external hard drive but wireless and without extra router or internet i mean just plug it to the power and setup it on ios 5 wifi and thenuse it just like hot spot, i connect to the TC and use it as a external wireless hard drive, is it possible ?
1. i dont have router
2. i dont have internet
3. i dont want to have router and internet

I too purchased TC today and it came out to be very easy to setup.
I am using windows pc so just downloaded Airport utility from following link:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1391
Once the installation is complete, it automatically detects TC and ask for password. That's it.
Good luck!!

How Can I use the Apple time capsule on another network?

I have just swapped out Virgin Broadband for BT broadband (BT infinity - BT HOMEHUB 3 wireless device)
I would like to reconfigure my Time capsule so that I can use it as part of my new wireless network (as a wireless back-up device).. but not use the router part of it.
I believe this is possible? Am currently using 10.7.5 of OS X.
Can you please let me know what steps I need to follow? (I am happy to start again if need be).
With Thanks
Simon

You cannot use the extend option with another brand router.. so the above will not work with the BThub. And WDS btw is now not used on the TC or apple routers.. haven't ever since N wireless came out.. the above article is for G wireless routers of yesteryear.
The best way to do it is bridge the TC.. that is router bridge not wireless bridge.. and simply plug it by ethernet into the BT hub.
You can then setup wireless however you want.. it can reinforce the existing wireless. Simply use the same name (SSID) and security setting.. (should be WPA2 Personal ie AES).. and passkey.. but if you want to make it sure, then lock the wireless channels. This is called a roaming network.

How do I use my airport time capsule extreme as a external hard drive

How do I access files and save files to my airport time capsule like its an external HD. How do I access the external HD that is connected to the time capsule?Ai

The TC is no different to any other network drive... you mount the drive and copy the files to it.. or copy files from it.
Same with USB drive plugged into the TC.
BUT.. TC is not suitable for live files.. ie files you are actively editing and working on. It is storage.. not working disk space.. and the USB drive more so.. it is slow.. much slower than same USB plugged into the computer by at least half.
And USB 2 wasn't that quick to begin with. The TC itself is slow.. although over wireless it is actually wireless that is the hold up.
Here is what I normally say for this question. It is asked every day.. often several times.
Store files on the TC.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/24380694#24380694
This is asked several times a day.. obviously people are struggling with their latest SSD being too small.
The TC is not suitable for network file server.. but many people having no choice press it into service as such.
It cannot be partitioned. It was and is and ever shall be a backup device for Time Machine.
Major issues.
1. No backup.. no way Time Machine can backup a network drive. No place to backup to.. So all your files will be at risk. And you will need to buy a third party like CCC to do backup. You will also need a USB drive somewhere else in the network to act as target for backups.. and if you use the TC itself over wireless you will experience a new definition of pain and suffering.. slow.. extremely slow..
(cf Belly of the sarlacc http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Sarlacc)
2. The TC cannot be partitioned and mixing TM backups and data is not great.
3. The drive is slow to spin up and quick to spin down.. there is no controls.
4. iPhoto in particular can easily corrupt its entire library with wireless networking causing a disconnection to one photo. Even if you do this;;; do not move your photo library... you have been warned!!
5. iTunes will constantly lose connection to the library. The disk is too slow to respond.. itunes on the computer will constantly spit out errors. Even in the midst of streaming the TC can spin down the disk due to caching.
6. Do not use any live files on the TC no matter what else you do.. if you edit files in whatever program the file must be on the local hard disk.
7. The only suitable location for most libraries is a computer. You can plug in an external hard disk.
Read pondini for some work arounds.
Q3 here. http://pondini.org/TM/Time_Capsule.html

Can I make my airport time capsule into ONLY a external hard drive?

I currently live in Japan and we recently bought a wireless plan through a Japanese company which provides their own modem. You basically connect this modem into the power and WHALA instant internet. It does not allow me to use my airport as router, but I still need to back up all my info since i only have a mini mac which hardly has space, into my time capsule. I really want to keep my time capsule because eventually we will move back to the states and I know i'm going to be right back on it.

As long as the router has ethernet ports you are fine.
Plug the TC WAN port into the router and set the TC to bridge mode .. all will be good.
On the other hand if the ISP has provided you a wireless only device you will find it very hard to setup the TC. It cannot readily join a foreign router (non-apple that is).
In this case, plug the TC directly into your mini by ethernet. And then use it without wireless. (keep the wireless for your internet connection). You might need to do a bit of fiddling .. I can give more details on how to do this setup. But I must say for now it is probably easier to put the TC away and just buy a USB drive. Faster, and much more reliable using a directly connected drive.. especially if the Mini is 2012 model with USB3 ports. But even USB2 is faster than TC.

How to use time capsule as an external wireless hard drive?

I have the latest version of time capsule and would like to use it not only for backups but also to save some files that I don't want to keep in my Macbook Air, which is very limited in terms of storage. Is it possible?

Here is my general list.
Store files on the TC.
This is asked several times a day.. obviously people are struggling with their latest SSD being too small.
The TC is not suitable for network file server.. but many people having no choice press it into service as such.
Major issues.
1. No backup.. no way Time Machine can backup a network drive. No place to backup to.. So all your files will be at risk. And you will need to buy a third party like CCC to do backup.
2. The TC cannot be partitioned and mixing TM backups and data is not great. It was and is and ever shall be a backup device for Time Machine.
3. The drive is slow to spin up and quick to spin down.. there is no control. In fact the TC is so lacking in controls for even the router side.. that you cannot do more than the most basic of setups.
The following are controls on the hard disk side.
Reformat it. You can name the share. You can do a full archive of the whole disk. This will go at a speed of aprox. 30-50GB/Hr so calculate how long an archive of a full 2TB will take.
4. iPhoto in particular can easily corrupt its entire library with wireless networking causing a disconnection to one photo. Even if you do this;;; do not move your photo library... you have been warned!!
Even apple btw say don’t do it.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5168 Although mostly about FAT32 it adds network drives.
5. iTunes can constantly lose connection to the library. The disk is slow to respond.. itunes on the computer will constantly spit out errors. Even in the midst of streaming the TC can spin down the disk due to caching.
6. Do not use any live files on the TC no matter what else you do.. if you edit files in whatever program the file must be on the local hard disk.
7. The only suitable location for most libraries is a computer. You can plug in an external hard disk.
Read pondini for some work arounds.
Q3 here. http://pondini.org/TM/Time_Capsule.html

Can you copy the Windows Bootcamp partition over to a new hard drive?

I'm out of space on my hard drive so I'm adding a larger one. I originally just wanted to use my time capsule for a backup, but then I remembered about my Windows partition.
What would be the most efficient way to copy both partitions from my original drive to the new drive for install?
I have a Macbook Pro 13in Late 2011 model and running OSX 10.9.5. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
-Cory

Backup your Windows software using Windows backup software to a Windows formatted disk. Create a new Boot Camp partition on the new drive. Install Windows on it, then restore your backup. You can also buy disk cloning software that can clone the system to another drive and restore the entire clone. I believe Acronis has such software.

How can I back up my time capsule contents to a different hard drive?

I want to back up my time capsule to a different hard drive so I have that extra layer of safety

There are a few ways to do this but none good.
Airport utility will do an archive of the disk.. just open to the disk tab and click archive. The target is USB drive connected to the machine. But it can only do full backup.. no incremental.
You can backup over network but not using Time Machine.. Carbon Copy Cloner is a $40 software that is well worth it. Super slow though doing this.
I recommend you backup using CCC direct from the computer to the target.. otherwise you can be backing up the same problem.

Would using a Apple Time Capsules be easier to use as you can use the Airport Utility to set everything up? Would using encryption affect the speed / durability / life span of the drive in a computer or Time Capsule?

Would using a Apple Time Capsules be easier to use as you can use the Airport Utility to set everything up?
OR would there be better programs out there that would do more than Airport Utility on a non Apple drive?
Would using encryption affect the speed / durability / life span of the drive / Fusion drive in a computer or Time Capsule?

1. Time Capsules are the easiest device to setup for Time Machine.
2. Sorry this is unclear. There are a huge number of routers available that have far superior controls than apple routers.. some support Time Machine.. most don't. They negate your question 1. in being difficult to setup. And alot of 3rd party devices that claim Time Machine compatibility are unreliable.
3. Encryption is irrelevant.

Can you use the apple time capsule as just a wireless hard drive without using it as a router

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