Sync your Mac
to your NAS

A macOS menu bar app that keeps your folders backed up to your NAS — and optionally symlinks them so your files live on the NAS while still feeling local.

Free download

macOS 12+ · Apple Silicon & Intel · Open source (GPL-3.0)

Want to support the project? The $5 checkout is optional.

Features

Everything you need to manage NAS sync

Rsync-powered sync with symlink support, multi-NAS management, live monitoring, and smart scheduling — all from your menu bar.

Rsync-Powered Sync

Queue-based sync engine with progress tracking, bandwidth throttling, and up to 2 concurrent transfers.

Symlink Mode

Replace local folders with symlinks to your NAS. Apps read and write directly — your files live on the NAS but feel local.

Multi-NAS Support

Configure unlimited NAS devices. Assign sync folders to specific devices. Bonjour auto-discovery finds them on your network.

Live Monitoring

Connection quality, latency, disk space, and online status — all visible at a glance from the menu bar.

Auto-Mount Shares

SMB shares mount automatically when a NAS comes online. Credentials stored securely in your Keychain.

Offline Resilience

When your NAS goes offline, symlinks are replaced with local copies. When it returns, changes sync back automatically.

WiFi & Power Aware

Restrict syncs to specific WiFi networks. Pause when on battery. Sync only when conditions are right.

Open Source

GPL-3.0 licensed. Download free releases, build from source, or chip in to support development.

Use Cases

Built for real workflows

Offload a project folder

Your MacBook is running low on space, but your NAS has terabytes free. Sync ~/Projects to the NAS, enable symlink mode, and apps read/write directly. Take your laptop to a coffee shop — The Annex restores a local copy. Get home — it syncs back and re-symlinks.

Back up multiple Macs

Your Mac Studio syncs Documents, Music, and Pictures every 5 minutes. Your MacBook syncs Documents and Desktop only on home WiFi. Each Mac gets its own NAS path. Activity Log and Statistics show exactly what moved and when.

Manage multiple NAS devices

Primary Synology for everyday storage, secondary QNAP for cold backups. Set the Synology as default, assign specific folders to the QNAP. The Annex monitors both independently — online status, disk space, connection quality.

Getting Started

Up and running in minutes

Launch The Annex

It appears in your menu bar. The welcome screen walks you through first-time setup.

Add your NAS

Click "Scan Network" to auto-discover your NAS via Bonjour, or enter the hostname manually. Add your credentials.

Add sync folders

Pick from presets (Documents, Desktop, Pictures, etc.) or define custom folder pairs.

Sync

Click Sync All, or let the automatic interval handle it. Enable symlink mode to free up local space.

Support The Annex

The Annex is open source. Download it for free, build it yourself, or chip in $5 to support development.