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Finder search is where a Mac organizes life, so a NAS should feel native when typing in that search box. The secret is server-side indexing over SMB, so Finder can ask the NAS for results directly inside a mounted share window. Without an index on the NAS, Finder falls back to a slow crawl that never feels right.
The good news: several NAS platforms provide the index Finder needs, and setup is straightforward. The better news: this list stays short to avoid option overload and keep choices clear. The biggest update for 2025 is a new Synology policy that changes which hard drives are supported on newly released models.
What “Finder-friendly” really means
A Finder-friendly NAS builds its own index of filenames and (optionally) file contents, then exposes that index to Mac clients over SMB. When a share is mounted and a search is run in that Finder window, the NAS returns results instantly from its index. Spotlight on the desktop still handles local disks, but Finder-in-share is where a NAS earns its keep.
This is different from searching a web interface or a vendor app. The goal here is to search from the same Finder window already used to browse folders. That’s the behavior that feels native and effortless day to day.
Synology, QNAP, and the rest: how they pair with Finder
Synology (DSM 7) offers Universal Search, which indexes chosen shared folders and makes them searchable from Finder when those shares are mounted via SMB. The process is simple: enable the package, add the folders to the index, and use Finder inside the share.
QNAP (QTS 5 with Qsirch) adds a robust indexer and a Finder-aware integration, so searches in a mounted SMB share can query the on-box database. Qsirch has historically offered both filename and content search, and as of 2025 QNAP is consolidating features so more advanced capabilities are broadly available.
DIY platforms (TrueNAS, Unraid) can implement SMB “Spotlight” backends with extra services, but this route is not turnkey. It’s powerful and flexible, yet it usually requires more tuning than most home or lifestyle setups call for.
Asustor and TerraMaster provide capable SMB sharing and their own search UIs, but offer no widely documented Finder integration comparable to Synology’s Universal Search or QNAP’s Qsirch with Finder awareness. If Finder-native search is a must-have, Synology or QNAP remain the clearest paths.
The 2025 Synology drive policy, clarified
Starting with Synology Plus-series models released in 2025, new installations require approved drives for full functionality and official support. Approved typically means Synology-branded drives or explicitly certified third-party models on Synology’s compatibility list. Existing Synology systems and models released in earlier years are not retroactively affected.
The practical effect is simple. New 2025 Plus models should be paired with Synology’s approved HAT33xx/HAT53xx HDDs (or other officially certified drives as the list expands). Pre-2025 Synology models and most other brands may continue to use standard NAS drives from vendors like WD and Seagate, as long as those drives are otherwise supported by the enclosure.
Setup in three easy steps
1. Mount first, then search. Connect to the NAS share via SMB and open that share in a Finder window. Searching inside that window hits the NAS index, while desktop Spotlight (⌘-Space) remains for local disks.
2. Turn on the NAS indexer for the folders that matter.
• Synology: Universal Search → Settings → Indexed Folder List → add the shared folders used on the Mac.
• QNAP: Install Qsirch, allow it to index, and enable its Finder integration.
3. Let the initial index finish. Big libraries take time the first run. Afterward, updates are incremental and fast.
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Short list: NAS models that pair well with Finder
The aim here is clarity, not choice overload. One Synology and one QNAP pick cover most homes and small studios.
Synology DiskStation DS923+ (4-bay)
A balanced four-bay enclosure with DSM 7 and Universal Search support for Finder-window searches. It offers NVMe slots for caching and an optional 10GbE upgrade, and it sits outside the 2025 “approved drives only” window, which makes drive selection more flexible.
Get the Synology DiskStation DS923+ here (Amazon Affiliate Linlk:
https://www.amazon.com/Synology-DiskStation-Enclosure-Dual-Core-Installed/dp/B0CGHQRQTP?tag=blainelocklai-20
QNAP TS-464 (4-bay)
A Mac-friendly QNAP with dual 2.5GbE, M.2 slots for cache, and strong QTS 5 software. Install Qsirch, enable its Finder integration, and mounted-share searches feel fast and modern, even over large collections.
Get the QNAP TS-464 here (Amazon Affiliate Linlk:
https://www.amazon.com/QNAP-TS-464-8G-US-High-Performance-Quad-core-Connectivity/dp/B0BQ5TWCL8?tag=blainelocklai-20
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What to put inside: reliable drives that match the policy
This is where Synology’s 2025 change matters. Pick drives by the NAS generation and the brand.
Synology HAT3310 (Plus-series, 2025 models)
For 2025 Synology Plus desktops, HAT3310 aligns with the new policy and integrates with DSM’s monitoring and firmware updates. It’s a straightforward way to stay within the approved-drive rules and keep support intact.
Get the Synology HAT3310 16TB here (Amazon Affiliate Linlk:
https://www.amazon.com/Synology-HAT3310-16TB-Plus-HAT3310-16T/dp/B0CY3GKSG3?tag=blainelocklai-20
WD Red Plus 8TB (CMR)
For pre-2025 Synology models and most QNAP setups, WD Red Plus provides the familiar NAS-rated reliability for 24/7 duty. It balances acoustics, heat, and longevity well in two- and four-bay enclosures.
Get the Western Digital 8TB WD Red Plus here (Amazon Affiliate Linlk:
https://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Plus-Internal-Drive/dp/B09QQX27GM?tag=blainelocklai-20
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Make Finder snappier: one simple network upgrade
A small 2.5GbE switch makes browsing photo libraries and project folders feel much quicker, even with a single Mac and a single NAS. It pairs nicely with a USB-C 2.5GbE adapter on the Mac or the built-in 2.5GbE ports many NAS units already have.
TP-Link TL-SG108-M2 (8-port 2.5GbE, fanless)
A plug-and-play, quiet switch that adds multi-gig to a home office without adding noise. It’s an easy step up from basic gigabit when scrolling through thumbnails or diving into large folders.
Get the TP-Link TL-SG108-M2 here (Amazon Affiliate Linlk:
https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-TL-SG108-M2-Multi-Gigabit-Wall-Mount-Protection/dp/B08ZHZL5Q7?tag=blainelocklai-20
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Protect your data: a small UPS with a big job
Power cuts can corrupt arrays mid-write. A compact UPS gives everything enough time to shut down gracefully, and it often quiets voltage blips that can otherwise interrupt a long copy.
APC Back-UPS ~900VA (desktop)
Sized right for a 2- to 4-bay NAS and a small switch, this unit keeps the essentials alive during short outages and signals the NAS to shut down during longer ones.
Get the APC Back-UPS 900VA here (Amazon Affiliate Linlk:
https://www.amazon.com/APC-Battery-Outlets-Charging-Back-UPS/dp/B0D2CRLVB2?tag=blainelocklai-20
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Clean, lifestyle-first setup that stays simple
Keep share names human. Labels like “Family-Photos,” “Home-Video,” and “Archive-Docs” read cleanly in Finder favorites and make scoped searches easier. Clarity beats cleverness when everyone in the house needs to find things quickly.
Index just the folders that matter. A focused index is faster, and it avoids clutter in results. On both Synology and QNAP, precise control over which shares get indexed keeps the NAS responsive.
Use tags and Smart Folders on the Mac. Tags you apply on files in a mounted share remain useful across devices, and Smart Folders scoped to a mounted share feel like a shortcut to “what matters now.”
Schedule parity checks and backups for off-hours. The NAS stays responsive for browsing while the background work happens overnight. This also avoids fans ramping up during quiet time.
Leave a little free space. NASes feel snappier for browsing and metadata updates when the array isn’t completely full. A small buffer pays off in everyday use.
Finder behaviors to know before you worry
Searching inside a mounted share’s Finder window is what triggers the NAS’s index. Global desktop Spotlight remains focused on local disks and won’t return network results mixed with local ones. When in doubt, click into the share and try again from there.
If results feel incomplete, confirm the folder is actually in the NAS index. On Synology, add the share in Universal Search’s Indexed Folder List. On QNAP, check that Qsirch is enabled and has finished its first pass.
Large photo or video libraries take time on the very first index. After that, incremental updates are quick and happen in the background. It’s normal for the first day to be the slowest.
The macOS side: a few gentle performance tips
SMB is the path to Finder-native behavior on modern macOS. AFP is legacy, and NFS isn’t a fit for Finder-centric workflows. Mount via SMB, keep macOS updated, and make sure the NAS’s SMB service is also current.
For network smoothness, wire the Mac and NAS into the same multi-gig switch when possible. Even without 10GbE, a 2.5GbE hop improves thumbnail scrubbing and multiplies the feel of responsiveness for big libraries.
Avoid exotic tweaks unless there’s a clear, measured reason. In a lifestyle setup, simple and stable wins over marginal gains that introduce new variables. A clean SMB mount and a healthy index deliver the biggest day-to-day improvement.
Brand-by-brand notes (updated for 2025)
Synology DSM.
Turn on Universal Search and add each shared folder mounted from the Mac. Search from the Finder window of that share. For 2025 Plus-series models, pair the unit with approved drives (HAT33xx/HAT53xx or other certified models) to retain full functionality and support. Pre-2025 units are not retroactively affected and can continue with supported third-party NAS drives.
QNAP QTS.
Install Qsirch, let it index, and enable its Finder-aware behavior. Searches made from a mounted SMB share can query the index for quick filename and content results. As licensing consolidates in 2025, more advanced search features are broadly available on modern QNAP hardware.
TrueNAS & Unraid.
SMB “Spotlight” backends exist, but they require manual setup and ongoing care. Powerful for enthusiasts, but not the quickest route to a living-room-friendly Finder experience.
Asustor & TerraMaster.
Solid SMB sharing and vendor search UIs, but not the same documented Finder integration. If Finder-native search is non-negotiable, Synology or QNAP are the clear choices.
Example workflows that feel great in Finder
A shared Photos Originals folder indexed on the NAS makes it easy to find a camera model, a date range, or a client name embedded in a filename. Combined with tags, a Smart Folder scoped to that share becomes a persistent project view.
A Home-Docs share turns receipts, PDFs, and manuals into quick find-by-keyword items. With on-box content indexing, document searches are practical from Finder without opening a browser.
A Video-Work share lets editors locate codecs, frame rates, or client folders faster. Even without deep media management, a healthy index and a multi-gig link make everyday browsing painless.
Troubleshooting checklist (short and human)
If Finder finds nothing, confirm the search is inside the mounted share, not “This Mac.” If the NAS is new or a library was just added, give it time to index. On Synology, recheck Universal Search’s Indexed Folder List; on QNAP, verify that Qsirch is active and not paused.
If browsing feels sluggish, confirm a wired link and consider a 2.5GbE step-up. If searches still miss files, rebuild the index for that share. If a 2025 Synology Plus won’t accept drives, switch to approved HAT33xx/HAT53xx or a certified third-party model.
Buying checklist (one screen before checkout)
Pick a Finder-friendly NAS platform (Synology or QNAP). Confirm the Synology model year if considering a new Plus unit, because 2025 models require approved drives. Choose drives based on that rule. Add a quiet 2.5GbE switch if the NAS or Mac supports it. Include a small UPS to protect the array.
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Bottom line
A NAS should blend into Finder, not fight it. Synology and QNAP deliver that experience by exposing a server-side index to searches made inside a mounted share window. Add Synology’s 2025 drive policy to the decision and pick drives accordingly: approved HAT33xx/HAT53xx for new Plus-series units, or mainstream NAS drives for pre-2025 Synology and most QNAP setups. With a short parts list and light setup, a Mac can browse and search a big home library as easily as any local folder.
