Not at all. No command line, no technical knowledge required. Just insert your SSDs, connect to power and Ethernet, then visit umbrel.local in your browser. You'll be up and running in under 5 minutes.
Every Umbrel Pro with pre-installed storage ships with high-endurance M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs — Kioxia EXCERIA Basic (2TB) or Lexar ARES/NM790 (4TB, 8TB, 16TB) — rated for years of continuous, always-on operation. When you're ready to expand, you can add any brand or size of M.2 2280 NVMe SSD in the remaining empty slots. If you plan to use FailSafe mode (data-loss protection against SSD failure), we recommend using same-size SSDs to avoid wasting storage capacity.
Any M.2 2280 NVMe SSD up to 8TB in size - PCIe Gen 3, Gen 4, or Gen 5 - works. Only NVMe SSDs are compatible (not SATA). Just make sure to use SSDs without a heatsink, as ones with a heatsink won't fit. Umbrel Pro's magnetic aluminum cover is designed to act as the heatsink - it features an air chamber and a thermal pad that makes direct contact with all four SSDs for optimal cooling.
We recommend using SSDs from reputable brands like Samsung, Lexar, Kioxia, Western Digital, or Crucial. The Lexar ARES/NM790, Kioxia EXCERIA, Samsung 990 (or 980) Evo Plus (or Evo Pro), WD SN770 / SN7100, are all popular, but any M.2 2280 NVMe SSD will work since the standard is universal. Just make sure to get one without a heatsink.
Yes. You can start with one, two, three, or all four - it's entirely up to you. Add more SSDs whenever you're ready, and your storage expands seamlessly.
Yes. If you'd rather maximize your total storage instead of using FailSafe (RAID), umbrelOS allows you to combine all your SSDs for maximum storage.
Yes, you can use different sized SSDs if you don't want to use FailSafe mode (RAID) and just want to combine all the storage for maximum capacity. However, if you want to enable FailSafe (protection against data loss if a single SSD fails), it's recommended to use SSDs that are the same size. That's because with FailSafe enabled, the extra capacity on larger SSDs will remain unavailable for use. You can still use different sized SSDs in FailSafe mode - they'll work, but you'll only be able to utilize the capacity of the smallest SSD across all SSDs (per SSD).
Yes, you can mix and match SSDs from any brand - Samsung, Lexar, Kioxia, Western Digital, Crucial, or any other manufacturer. They all work together seamlessly in Umbrel Pro, including in FailSafe mode. The only thing that matters is that they're M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs without a heatsink.
With FailSafe mode enabled, your data remains safe even if one SSD fails. You'll see a notification in umbrelOS, and all you need to do is swap in a new SSD. No data loss, no downtime.
Yes. You can access your files from any device on your home network instantly. For remote access, you can set up secure connections through Tailscale or other VPN apps available in the Umbrel App Store.
Umbrel Pro unit, 65W power adapter with regional plugs, and a Cat6 Ethernet cable. If you ordered a configuration with pre-installed storage (2TB through 16TB), your included SSDs arrive pre-installed and ready to go.