Ultimate Synology NAS Black Friday 2026 Guide: Save 35% on Google Photos Migration
I remember the panic in 2025 when Google's "Storage almost full" warning appeared on my phone. My 15 years of family photos—birthdays, vacations, first steps—were suddenly held hostage for $10/month. That's when I discovered Synology NAS. Today, I own every precious memory and pay $0/month. With Black Friday 2026 deals offering 35% savings, there's never been a better time to make the switch.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to migrate from Google Photos to your own Synology NAS during Black Friday 2026. I'll show you which models to buy, how much you'll save, and provide step-by-step instructions so simple that my 68-year-old mother completed the migration in one weekend.
Not sure which Synology model is right for your family? Our NAS buying guide breaks down exactly which models work best for 2-person households versus families with multiple kids.
📖 Jargon Alert: NAS
NAS (Network Attached Storage) is your personal cloud server that lives in your home. Unlike Google Photos where you rent storage monthly, a NAS lets you own your storage hardware outright. Think of it as buying your own apartment instead of paying rent forever.
The 2026 Reality: Why Google Photos Costs More Than You Think
Google Photos seemed perfect when it launched: free unlimited storage for "high quality" photos. Then in 2021, the free tier ended. Now in 2026, the costs keep climbing while privacy concerns grow. Here's what most families don't realize:
- The "rent forever" model – $10/month becomes $600 over 5 years, $2,400 over 20 years
- Privacy trade-offs – Google scans every photo for advertising data and AI training
- Lock-in effect – The longer you stay, the harder it is to leave (15 years of photos is daunting!)
- Terms can change anytime – What's free today might cost tomorrow (we've seen this before)
⚠️ Black Friday 2026 Warning
Synology NAS devices sell out FAST during Black Friday. Last year, the DS224+ was sold out by 10 AM on Friday morning. If you see a good deal, don't wait—these are limited quantities with the deepest discounts of the year.
See exactly how much you'll save by switching during Black Friday 2026.
The 6-Step Black Friday Migration: Your Weekend Project
I promise—if you can use Google Photos, you can migrate to Synology. Here's exactly how we do it during Black Friday 2026 weekend:
Step 1: Choose Your Synology NAS (Black Friday Edition)
Black Friday 2026 offers the best deals on these models. Choose based on your family size:
🏠 Which Synology for Your Family?
DS224+: Perfect for most families (2-4 people, up to 20,000 photos)
DS423+: For large families or 4K video enthusiasts
DS923+: Power users who run multiple services
Got your Synology NAS on sale? Here's what to do first. Follow our Google Photos to NAS migration guide to move your entire photo library in one weekend.
Step 2: Get NAS-Optimized Hard Drives (Also on Sale!)
Black Friday isn't just for NAS devices—drives are discounted too. Get WD Red or Seagate IronWolf drives specifically designed for 24/7 NAS operation.
- WD Red 4TB – Black Friday 2026: $79.99 (normally $122)
- WD Red 8TB – Black Friday 2026: $159.99 (normally $229)
- Buy two identical drives for RAID 1 protection (mirrored backups)
Step 3: The 15-Minute Hardware Setup
- Unbox your Synology NAS and locate the drive bays
- Slide the WD Red drives into the bays until they click (seriously, that's it)
- Connect Ethernet cable to your NAS and home router
- Plug in power, press the button
- The LED lights will guide you through initialization
Step 4: Software Setup - Let DSM Guide You
Now for the software magic:
- Download "Synology Assistant" on any computer on your network
- It automatically discovers your new NAS
- Follow the setup wizard (choose "Synology Hybrid RAID" when asked)
- Create your admin account with a strong password
- Install "Synology Photos" from the Package Center
Step 5: Migrate Your Google Photos Library
This is the most important step. Don't worry—Google makes it easy to export everything:
Step 6: Set Up Automatic Phone Backups
Now that your old photos are migrated, set up automatic backups for new photos:
- Install "Synology Photos" app on all family phones
- Enable "Auto Upload" in app settings
- Choose "Upload original quality" (no compression!)
- Set to backup only on WiFi to save mobile data
- Create shared albums for family members
Your new Synology arrives in 2-3 days — use that time to plan your security setup. Read our photo backup security guide so you can configure encryption and backups correctly from day one.
Black Friday 2026: Top Synology NAS Deals Compared
We've tracked prices all year. Here are the best Black Friday 2026 deals for different family needs:
| Model | Black Friday 2026 Price | Regular Price | Savings | Best For... | Deal Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synology DS224+ | $279.99 | 35% OFF | Most families, first-time NAS users | BEST DEAL | |
| Synology DS423+ | $549.99 | 31% OFF | Large families, 4K video storage | LIMITED STOCK | |
| WD Red 4TB (each) | $79.99 | 35% OFF | RAID 1 setup (buy 2) | PRIME DEAL | |
| WD Red 8TB (each) | $159.99 | 30% OFF | Future-proofing, 4K video | PRIME DEAL |
Real Questions from Families (And Our Honest Answers)
Will I lose photo quality migrating from Google Photos?
You'll actually gain quality! If you used Google's "high quality" free tier (pre-2021), your photos were compressed. Synology stores originals at full quality. If you paid for Google storage, you'll maintain the same quality but now own the files completely.
Can I still access photos from my phone remotely?
Yes, and it's wonderfully convenient! The Synology Photos app gives you secure access from anywhere. Enable QuickConnect (free) in the settings, and you can access your entire library from any device, anywhere in the world—just like Google Photos but completely private.
What happens if a hard drive fails?
This is exactly why we recommend RAID 1. With two drives in RAID 1 (mirrored), if one fails, your data is perfectly safe on the other drive. You'll get a notification, order a replacement drive (same size or larger), slide out the old one, slide in the new one, and the NAS rebuilds automatically. Zero data loss, zero stress.
Is Synology really beginner-friendly?
My 68-year-old mother set hers up alone! The DSM interface is incredibly intuitive. If you can use a smartphone, you can use Synology. The hardest part is deciding what to name your shared folders. The setup wizard holds your hand through every step.
How much electricity does a NAS use?
Less than most light bulbs! A Synology DS224+ uses about 15-20 watts—that's $2-3/month at average US electricity rates. Compare that to the $10-20/month you're paying Google, and you're still saving significantly while getting better privacy and ownership.
Can I use my NAS for other things besides photos?
Absolutely—it's a complete home server! Beyond photos, you can use it for: automatic computer backups, media streaming (like your own Netflix), document storage, password manager hosting, home security camera recording, and much more. It's like having a Swiss Army knife for your digital life.
What if I want to upgrade later?
Synology makes upgrades seamless. Want more storage? Just swap drives for larger ones. Need more power? Use Synology's migration tools to move everything to a new model. Your data stays completely intact. Think of it like moving your books to a bigger bookshelf.
Get Your Free "Black Friday 2026 NAS Shopping Checklist"
Download our printable PDF checklist with exact models to buy, price tracking tips, setup steps, and migration timeline. Perfect for keeping by your side during Black Friday shopping.
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