It has been three years since the first public preview version of DSM 7 was available to the public and during that time DSM 6 has been supported by Synology in terms of security patches, functionalities, and package updates.

The life cycle is normal in both hardware and software, so on October 1st, 2024, Synology will terminate support for DSM 6.2. This version is currently in an extended life phase, meaning that after that date no more security updates or features will be developed for it.

End-of-Availability notice for legacy DSM, Surveillance Station, SRM, and more
#Synology will from 1 May 2023 remove certain #DSM installation files, firmware versions, and software packages. Files required to (re-)install old software and firmware will remain available from Synology Download Center until 30 April 2023
BlackvoidLuka Manestar

Begging on year there was also an announcement that as of May 1st, the older version of DSM will be removed from the official Synology download site. This included all the versions older than 6.2.4. On top of that older versions of their router OS, the SRM was also deprecated for versions older than 1.2.

The company is clearly cleaning house, and putting all their efforts into the future of new versions of DSM 7 as well as upcoming version 8 at some point. Along with sunsetting the 6.2 DSM, some apps will also be reaching end-of-life.

Synology Moments (DSM package and iOS/Android mobile apps)
Synology Photo Station (DSM package, iOS/Android/Apple TV/Android TV/ Fire TV apps, and Windows/macOS Photo Station Uploader)
Java8
DokuWiki
SVN
Tomcat 7
Moodle
Docker-Redmine
Docker-Gitlab
Docker-LXQt
GLPI
OrangeHRM
osTicket
MariaDB 5
Node.js v8
PHP Pear

Apps reaching the end of life in October 2024

What models will be left out of the new DSM 7 and new features?

Users with devices that are 10y or older are already aware that they can't update to DSM 7 but just for reference here is the complete list of models that will be limited to DSM 6.2, and only that version.

x11-x12 Series

  • XS Series : RS3412xs, RS3412RPxs, RS3411xs, RS3411RPxs, DS3612xs, DS3611xs
  • Plus Series : RS2212+, RS2212RP+, RS2211+, RS2211RP+, RS812+, RS812RP+,　DS2411+, DS1812+, DS1512+, DS1511+, DS712+, DS412+, DS411+II, DS411+, DS213+, DS212+, DS211+, DS112+
  • Value Series : RS812, RS212, RS411, DS413, DS411, DS213, DS212, DS211, DS112, DS111
  • J Series : DS413j, DS411j, DS411slim, DS213air, DS212j, DS211j, DS112j
  • Others : NVR216, NVR1218, DDSM

Models supporting new DSM 7 (7.1 and 7.2)

Considering that Synology NAS devices can last for a long time and perform just as well regardless of their age, it is no wonder that some users are not migrating to the latest model as soon as it arrives. Again, just for reference, the x13-x15 models will support only DSM 7.1 as its major version and no future versions will be accessible.

x13-x15 Series (supporting only DSM 7.1)

  • XS Series: RS3413xs+, RS10613xs+, RS3614xs+, RS3614xs, RS3614RPxs, RC18015xs+, DS3615xs, DS2015xs
  • Plus Series: DS2413+, DS1813+, DS1513+, DS713+, RS2414RP+, RS2414+, RS814RP+, RS814+, DS214+, RS815RP+, RS815+, DS2415+, DS1815+, DS1515+, DS415+, DS215+
  • Value Series: RS814, RS214, DS414, DS214, DS214play, DS114, RS815, DS1515,DS715, DS415play, DS115
  • J Series: DS213j, DS414slim, DS414j, DS214se, DS215j, DS115j, DS216se

Alongside those, any model from x16 all the way to the x21 series will support DSM 7.2. This also means that any newer version of DSM could be limited only to x22-x24 models, but that remains to be seen.

x16-x21 Series

  • XS Series: RS18016xs+, RS4017xs+,RS3617xs+, RS3617xs, RS3617RPx, RS18017xs+, DS3617xs, DS3617xsII, RS3618xs, DS3018xs, RS1619xs+, DS1621xs+, RS4021xs+, RS3621xs+, RS3621RPxs
  • Plus Series: RS2416RP+, RS2416+, DS916+, DS716+II, DS716+, DS216+II, DS216+, DS1517+, RS2818RP+, RS2418RP+, RS2418+, RS818RP+, RS818+, DS1618+, DS918+, DS718+, DS218+, DS2419+II, DS2419+, DS1819+, DS1019+, RS820RP+, RS820+, DS1520+, DS920+, DS720+, DS420+, DS220+, RS2821RP+, RS2421RP+, RS2421+, RS1221RP+, RS1221+, DS1821+, DS1621+
  • Value Series: RS816, DS416, DS416play, DS216, DS216play, DS116, RS217, DS1817, DS1517, DS418, DS418play, DS218, DS218play, DS118, RS819
  • J Series: DS416slim, DS416j, DS216j, DS218j, DS218j, DS419slim, DS119j, DS620slim, DS420j, DS220j, DS120j
  • Others : DVA3219, DVA3221

So, if you have a relatively new model that does support DSM 7, consider upgrading to it in the next year. This would be highly recommended if the unit is accessible over the Internet to mitigate any known security issues and exploits.

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Keep in mind that DSM 7 brings breaking changes for some specific apps and scenarios so consult the entire DSM 7 release note history before attempting this as downgrade is not officially supported!

Can I go back to DSM 6?

In case there are issues and an upgrade is successful but certain apps are no longer working, consider following this unsupported downgrade method. Use it only as a last resort.

DSM 7 to DSM 6 downgrade (unofficial and unsupported)
Jumped the gun on updating to DSM7? Want to go back to DSM6? This unofficial and unsupported method might help out.
BlackvoidLuka Manestar

Unofficial and unsupported DSM 7 to DSM 6 downgrade (last resort!)

Enough time has passed that downgrade should be used only if absolutely needed, otherwise consider using the latest version of DSM. If apps are the problem, Docker might be a solution for a large number of officially unsupported apps and services, some of which might be alternatives to Synology's apps as well.

🆘
In case there is a need for a specific DSM 6.2.4 version of DSM for any supported NAS model, feel free to ask in the comment section, and I will make sure to send you the link for it (including minor versions).