Follow-Up: Does the Linux Time Machine SMB Setup Change on Linux Mint 22?

In the previous article, I covered why Apple is moving away from Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) and how to configure a Linux Mint server as a Time Machine backup target using Samba and SMB. A natural follow-up question is whether the process works differently on Linux Mint 22 compared with Linux Mint 21.3.

The short answer is: not very much. The same general Samba, SMB, Avahi, and vfs_fruit configuration works on both Linux Mint 21.3 and Linux Mint 22.x. However, there are a few version-related details worth understanding before you build or upgrade a Linux-based Time Machine server.

Linux Mint 21.3 vs Linux Mint 22.x

Linux Mint 21.3, codenamed Virginia, is part of the Linux Mint 21 series. It is based on the Ubuntu Jammy package base and is supported until April 2027 (Linux Mint, n.d.-a).

Linux Mint 22.x, including Linux Mint 22.3, codenamed Zena, is part of the Linux Mint 22 series. It is based on the Ubuntu Noble package base and is supported until April 2029 (Linux Mint, n.d.-a; Linux Mint, n.d.-b).

For a Time Machine server, this means Linux Mint 22.x gives you a newer long-term support base, a longer support window, and newer packages from the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS family. Linux Mint 21.3 is still usable and supported, but it is closer to the end of its support lifecycle.

Does the Samba Configuration Change?

The basic Samba configuration does not need to change just because you are using Linux Mint 22 instead of Linux Mint 21.3.

The package installation command is the same:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install samba avahi-daemon

The service commands are also the same:

sudo systemctl enable --now smbd
sudo systemctl enable --now avahi-daemon

The same Samba share structure can be used:

[global]
   workgroup = WORKGROUP
   server role = standalone server
   security = user
   map to guest = Bad User
   min protocol = SMB2

   fruit:aapl = yes
   fruit:model = TimeCapsule

[TimeMachine]
   comment = Time Machine Backups
   path = /data/timemachine
   browseable = yes
   read only = no
   valid users = tmbackup

   vfs objects = catia fruit streams_xattr
   fruit:time machine = yes
   fruit:time machine max size = 1T

The important part is not whether the system is Mint 21.3 or Mint 22.x. The important part is that Samba is configured to advertise the share properly for Apple clients. Samba’s vfs_fruit module is the feature that improves compatibility with Apple SMB clients, and the fruit:time machine = yes option tells Samba to advertise the share as Time Machine-capable (Samba Team, n.d.).

What Actually Changes on Linux Mint 22?

The biggest change is the underlying package base. Linux Mint 22.x uses the newer Ubuntu Noble package base, while Linux Mint 21.3 uses the older Ubuntu Jammy package base (Linux Mint, n.d.-a).

In plain English, that means Mint 22.x generally has newer versions of system components, libraries, drivers, and server packages. For a Samba Time Machine server, that is generally a positive thing. Newer Samba packages often include bug fixes, security fixes, and compatibility improvements.

However, the administrative workflow stays the same:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install samba avahi-daemon
sudo vi /etc/samba/smb.conf
testparm
sudo systemctl restart smbd

After installation, it is a good idea to confirm the installed Samba version:

samba --version

Then validate the configuration:

testparm

If testparm reports no major issues, restart Samba:

sudo systemctl restart smbd

Does Avahi Still Matter?

Yes. Avahi is still useful on Linux Mint 22.

Samba handles SMB file sharing. Avahi helps with local network discovery, allowing Macs to find services using Bonjour-style discovery. You can still connect manually from Finder using an address such as:

smb://server1.local/TimeMachine

Or, if local name resolution is not working:

smb://192.168.1.50/TimeMachine

Using the IP address is often the simplest troubleshooting step when the Mac cannot find the server by name.

Should You Upgrade a Working Mint 21.3 Time Machine Server?

If your Linux Mint 21.3 Time Machine server is working correctly, there is no immediate technical requirement to rebuild it on Linux Mint 22. Linux Mint 21.3 remains supported until April 2027 (Linux Mint, n.d.-a).

However, for a new build, I would choose Linux Mint 22.x. It has the longer support window, newer package base, and better long-term position. A backup server is something you want to set up once, document well, and avoid touching unless necessary. Starting from the newer LTS base makes more sense for a fresh installation.

For an existing Mint 21.3 server, the decision depends on your priorities.

If the server is stable, patched, and used only on your trusted home network, keeping Mint 21.3 until you are ready for a planned upgrade is reasonable.

If you are building a new backup target, replacing older hardware, or cleaning up your home lab, Linux Mint 22.x is the better choice.

Practical Recommendation

For a new Time Machine server, use Linux Mint 22.x.

For an existing Linux Mint 21.3 server, keep it if it is stable, documented, and receiving updates. Plan a controlled upgrade before the Linux Mint 21.x support window ends.

In either case, the core Samba configuration remains the same:

vfs objects = catia fruit streams_xattr
fruit:time machine = yes
fruit:time machine max size = 1T

Those settings matter more than the difference between Mint 21.3 and Mint 22.x.

Upgrade Checklist

Before upgrading an existing Linux Mint 21.3 Time Machine server to Linux Mint 22.x, make sure you have the following:

  1. A backup of /etc/samba/smb.conf
  2. A record of your Samba users
  3. A record of the Time Machine share path
  4. A record of ownership and permissions on the backup directory
  5. A current backup of any important data on the server
  6. A tested way to reconnect the Mac to the SMB share after the upgrade

At minimum, save the Samba configuration:

sudo cp /etc/samba/smb.conf /etc/samba/smb.conf.backup.$(date +%F)

Check the backup directory permissions:

ls -ld /data/timemachine

List the Samba users:

sudo pdbedit -L

After the upgrade, verify Samba and Avahi:

systemctl status smbd --no-pager
systemctl status avahi-daemon --no-pager

Then validate Samba:

testparm

Conclusion

Linux Mint 22 does not fundamentally change the process of serving a Time Machine backup share from a Linux server. The same SMB-based Samba configuration still applies, and the same Apple-focused vfs_fruit settings are still the key to making the share work properly with macOS.

The main difference is lifecycle and package freshness. Linux Mint 21.3 is based on the Ubuntu Jammy package base and is supported until April 2027. Linux Mint 22.x is based on the Ubuntu Noble package base and is supported until April 2029 (Linux Mint, n.d.-a). For a new Time Machine server, Linux Mint 22.x is the better long-term choice. For an existing Linux Mint 21.3 server, the configuration can continue to work, but it would be wise to plan the move to Mint 22.x before the support window closes.

The bottom line is simple: Apple is moving Time Machine network backups away from AFP and toward SMB. Whether you use Linux Mint 21.3 or Linux Mint 22.x, Samba with vfs_fruit is the correct path forward.

References

Linux Mint. (n.d.-a). All versions. https://linuxmint.com/download_all.php

Linux Mint. (n.d.-b). Linux Mint 22.3 Release Notes. https://www.linuxmint.com/rel_zena.php

Linux Mint. (n.d.-c). Linux Mint 21.3 Release Notes. https://linuxmint.com/rel_virginia.php

Samba Team. (n.d.). vfs_fruit. Samba Documentation. https://www.samba.org/samba/docs/current/man-html/vfs_fruit.8.html

Ubuntu. (n.d.). The Ubuntu lifecycle and release cadence. Canonical. https://ubuntu.com/about/release-cycle

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