How to Backup a Synology NAS & Synology Email Data
Data stored in a Synology DiskStation NAS is always at risk of:
- Hardware failure
- Ransomware attacks
- Accidental deletion
- System crashes
That is why creating a proper Synology NAS backup is essential for both personal and business users. In this guide, I will explain how to backup Synology NAS using different methods to keep your data secure and accessible whenever you want. I’ll make this discussion beginner-friendly, so let’s start with a brief overview of Synology NAS.
What is a Synology NAS?
A Synology DiskStation NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a centralized storage device that allows users to do such things over a network, like:
- Store
- Access
- Share
- Back up data
Organizations commonly use Synology NAS devices for:
- File storage
- Team collaboration
- Virtual machine hosting
- Email hosting
- Disaster recovery
- Cloud synchronization
Basically, Synology NAS acts like a private cloud storage server inside your office or home network.
Why is Synology NAS Backup Important?
Without a backup strategy, there is a risk of permanent data loss due to:
- NAS hardware failure
- RAID corruption
- Malware or ransomware
- Accidental file deletion
- System crashes
- Natural disasters
- Insider threats
To bypass these situations where you can’t access your data or permanently lose important emails, a proper Synology NAS backup strategy ensures your data remains recoverable even if the primary NAS fails.
What Data Should You Backup from Synology NAS?
Before learning how to backup Synology NAS, ask question to yourself what data you want to be protected:
- Shared folders
- Photos and videos
- Business documents
- Virtual machines
- Databases
- User profiles
- System configurations
- MailPlus mailbox data
- Surveillance recordings
This step is important because the methods depend on this. When you’re sure about which data has to be backed up, move to the techniques which will help you to achieve this.
Best Methods to Backup a Synology NAS
There are multiple ways to perform a Synology NAS backup depending on your requirements. Let me explain one by one:
#Method 1. Backup Synology NAS Using Hyper Backup
Hyper Backup is the official Synology backup utility that allows users to back up NAS data to:
- External hard drives
- Another NAS
- rsync servers
- Cloud platforms
- USB drives
Here are the steps to backup Synology NAS via Hyper Backup:
#Step 1. Install Hyper Backup
- Open Package Center in DSM.
- Search for Hyper Backup.
- Click Install.
- Launch the Hyper Backup.
- Click the + icon.
- Select “Data Backup Task.”
#Step 2. Choose backup destination
You can select:
- Local shared folder
- External USB drive
- Remote NAS
- Cloud storage
Select data to backup:
- Shared folders
- Applications
- System settings
- User configurations
#Step 3. Configure backup schedule:
- Daily backup
- Weekly backup
- Incremental backup
- Rotation policies
Click Apply to begin the Synology NAS backup process.
#Method 2: Backup Synology NAS to External Hard Drive
This is one of the easiest methods for local backup. For the same:
- Attach the drive directly to the NAS USB port.
- Now, open Hyper Backup, and create a new backup task.
- Choose the external drive as the destination.
- Start Backup. The NAS will now copy selected data to the external drive.
#Method 3. Backup Synology NAS to Another NAS
Businesses use remote NAS backup for disaster recovery. Those who don’t know, here’s how it works:
Primary NAS > Remote NAS replication
This creates an off-site backup copy.
For the same, you can use these official tools:
- Hyper Backup
- Snapshot Replication
- Shared Folder Sync
#Method 4. Backup Synology NAS to Cloud Storage
Cloud backup adds a security layer. Supported cloud providers include:
- Google Drive
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Dropbox
- Amazon S3
- Backblaze B2
Follow the steps for the same:
- Open Hyper Backup, and click the Data Backup Task.
- Now select your preferred cloud platform, such as:
-
- Google Drive
- OneDrive
- Dropbox
- Amazon S3
- Backblaze B2
- Click Next.
- Afterwards, Sign in to Your Cloud Account:
- Enter your cloud storage login credentials.
- Grant the required permissions to the Synology NAS.
- Choose the data you want to backup, such as:
- Shared folders
- Photos
- Videos
- Documents
- Applications
- System settings
- Configure backup settings:
-
- Backup schedule
- File compression
- Encryption
- Backup rotation
- Incremental backup
- Review all settings carefully.
- Click Apply to begin the backup process.
Your Synology NAS data will now start uploading securely to the selected cloud storage provider.
How to Backup Synology Email Data?
Many businesses also use Synology NAS for email hosting through Synology MailPlus.
This makes Synology email backup extremely important.
If email data becomes corrupted or deleted, organizations permanently lose:
- Client communications
- Attachments
- Legal records
- Financial conversations
Best Ways for Synology Email Backup
Previously, I wondered about “Synology email backup”, and luckily, I found two options, which are:
#Option 1. Export Emails Manually
Users can manually export mailbox data from MailPlus.
- Open the Synology DSM web portal.
- Launch Synology MailPlus.
- Sign in with your email account credentials.
- Open the mailbox folder, such as Inbox, Sent, or Archive.
- Select the emails to export.
- Click the three-dot menu or More option.
- Choose Export Email.
- Depending on your MailPlus version, choose a supported format such as:
- EML
- MBOX
- Choose the destination location on your computer.
- Click Export or Download.
However, this method has limitations:
- Time-consuming
- No automation
- Not suitable for enterprises
#Option 2. Use Professional Synology Backup Software
For users who want a faster and more advanced solution for Synology email backup, professional software like FreeViewer Email Backup Wizard can be a reliable option.
The tool helps users backup emails from multiple email services connected with Synology environments and save mailbox data securely to local storage.
Using this utility, users can:
- Backup emails in bulk
- Export emails into PST, MBOX, PDF, EML, and MSG formats
- Maintain folder hierarchy and email metadata
- Perform incremental backups
- Backup emails with attachments
- Apply date filters for selective backup
- Save emails to external drives or network locations
- Backup multiple accounts simultaneously
This makes the overall Synology backup email process easier and hassle-free compared to manual methods.
Try this now for free, and follow these steps to backup Synology emails simultaneously:
Step 1. Open the tool on your Windows or macOS.
Step 2. Choose the desired resultant file format, such as PST, MBOX, MSG, EML, or PDF.
Step 3. Now, select your IMAP Server as Synology.
Step 4. Afterwards, choose the destination location to save the output files.
Step 5. Lastly, hit the Start Backup button.
Within five steps, you backed up the entire Synology server emails along with attachments in one go.
How to Download Synology NAS Data?
Many users search for download Synology NAS methods when trying to export files locally. To do so, here is the complete set of instructions:
- Open your NAS web portal.
- Browse the required folders.
- Choose the files or folders you want to export.
- Click Download. The selected data will download to your computer.
Common Synology NAS Backup Errors
Users may encounter issues such as:
- Insufficient storage space
- Failed backup tasks
- Network interruption
- Permission errors
- Corrupted backup archives
Most issues can be resolved by:
- Checking storage capacity
- Updating DSM
- Reconfiguring permissions
- Verifying network connectivity
Author’s Verdict
Learning how to backup Synology NAS is essential for protecting business and personal data. Doesn’t matter whether you’re using a manual or a professional solution; the key is to secure the critical data from accidental loss or ransomware attacks by taking a local backup.