This wikiHow teaches you how to back up the data and files on your Mac to an external hard drive and/or Apple's cloud-based storage service, iCloud. Connect your Mac to a formatted external hard drive. Connect the drive to your computer. Dec 04, 2018 Every computer user should keep a regular backup. From accidentally deleted files to failing hard drives to natural disaster, there are too many things that can go wrong to simply rely on luck. Here are the best ways to back up your Mac.
By Gina Barrow, Last updated: February 11, 2020
Many Mac users often find themselves in dilemma after they have lost certain files without creating any backups. Often, they think that their Macs don't need to be backed up since no one else is using it, and they haven't done anything that can cause data loss.
However, there are uncommon situations such as virus attacks or corrupted system files that can trigger and cause data loss. There are many options on how to backup your Mac and the easiest is to use the iCloud service.
Jan 17, 2020 A file backup backs up each of your files individually. That makes it easy to restore a single file if you - by accident - permanently delete a single file or need to restore a previous version. The advantage of cloning is that it makes an exact copy of your Mac's hard drive at the bit level. See full list on wikihow.com. Back up and restore your iPhone or iPad on Mac or iCloud. One of the best ways of safeguarding the information on an iPhone or iPad against damage or loss is backing up, or copying, your files and settings to either your Mac.
In this article, we will learn how to backup Mac to iCloud plus other methods on how to secure your personal files and information.
Part 1. How to Backup Mac to iCloud
Apple provides free 5 GB of iCloud storage to every Apple ID registered where you can use it as your backup option. This storage space is upgradeable at anytime you wish to add more space.
One of the best features of iCloud is the ability to sync across all your iOS devices including your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and Mac. It only requires one Apple ID on all these devices and you are free to utilize all the iCloud features.
Apart from that, you can access your data anytime as long as you are connected to the internet.
Follow this guide on how to backup Mac to iCloud and never lose any of your files again:
- On your Mac, launch System Preferences and select iCloud.
- Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
- After you have successfully logged in, choose the types of data you wish to add in your backup. (You can choose from your Photos, Emails, Contacts, Calendars, and many more.)
- From here you can manage other files like your iCloud Photo Library and customize the way iCloud will backup your photos.
- Choose iCloud Drive.
- Drag and drop the files you wish to backup or you can simply add a copy as well.
- Once you have set up the iCloud Drive, all the files and documents saved in iCloud will be moved to iCloud Drive.
That's it! You have just setup and learned how to backup your Macto iCloud. You are now confident that you can easily retrieve your information from iCloud in case something happens on your Mac.
Manage Your iCloud Storage
Most of the time, iOS users are actually more concerned of their iCloud space storage than their files due to the limited amount of free space. However, you have options to manage your iCloud storage so you can maximize the 5 GB allotted space or you can buy more.
Turn off backup from multiple devices
Because iCloud syncs across your devices, it is normal that it will consume the free space quickly. However, you always have the option to decide which devices need backup to save more iCloud space.
Follow this step to turn off iCloud backup on multiple devices:
- Decide what iOS device will have iCloud backup.
- On the device that doesn't need a backup, go to Settings.
- Find and tap iCloud.
- Toggle the iCloud Backup bar off.
By doing turning off the iCloud backup on the given device, it will no longer sync with your iCloud account.
Part 2. Use Time Machine as Your Backup on Mac
Apart from the iCloud service, Apple also offers a default backup option called the Time Machine. It works by providing backup to all your files like apps, photos, documents, system files, and more on your Mac.
Unlike the iCloud service that saves your files online, Time Machine backups are stored externally and can be restored externally as well. Time Machine on the other hand, uses external storage devices such as a FireWire drive, Airport Time Capsule, USB or external hard drives.
Here is the complete guide on how to use Time Machine as your Backup on Mac:
- First, plug in your external storage device to your Mac and select Use as Backup Disk on the pop-up message.
- If you don't see a pop-up message, you can add it manually by going to Time Machine, and then Time Machine preferences. Choose Select Backup Disk.
- Choose your external storage from the list of available disks.
- Check the box beside Encrypt backups and then click Use Disk.
Your first backup with Time Machine will take a while depending on the files you have set for backup. However, you can also enjoy the convenience of auto-backup with Time Machine. Time Machine will only add the files recently changed from the previous backup.
Part 3. How to Retrieve Lost or Deleted Files from Mac
Data loss is a common problem especially with Mac users who have not taken proper backups. Most of the time, users tend to endure data loss and shrug this annoying incident without knowing that they can still recover them.
FoneDog Data Recovery is a third-party wizard that every Mac user can rely on. It provides data recovery of all file types and from any devices.
You can recover any of the following files such as:
- Archives
- Emails
- Documents
- Videos
- Photos
- And many more
Data RecoveryRecover deleted image, document, audio and more files.Get deleted data back from computer (including Recycle Bin) and hard drives.Recover loss data caused by disk accident, operation system crushes and other reasons.
It doesn't matter what device or storage you are using, FoneDog Data Recovery can retrieve it from various options like:
- Hard Drive
- Memory Card/SD Card
- USB Flash Drive
- Deleted Files
- Mac or Windows computers
- Partitions
- And even the Recycle/Trash bin
Many users have already experienced the excellent features of FoneDog Data Recovery; you too can experience its wonders by downloading it for free.
Part 4. Summary
The steps on how to backup Mac to iCloud are pretty simple and upfront; you don't have to do a lot of complicated steps just to save and store your important files.
Apart from iCloud, you can also use the Time Machine backup feature on Mac to store your personal files externally. Safeguard your data at any time using these two free methods.
If you are too late and already lost or deleted important files, don't worry; FoneDog Data Recovery will save you from all the heartaches. It's a genius recovery tool that can retrieve all types of files from any storage devices.
17 January 2020
Is your Mac backed up?
If so, how often?
Is it a file backup or a clone?
Is it backed up to the cloud or to an external drive?
What Mac backup software are you using?
How do you restore it if you need to?
Do you know these answers?
These might sound like silly questions, but you'll be amazed to find out that only 6% of adult computer owners in the US backup their data every day! 34% do it at least once a month, 42% do it once a year or less, and 24% never back up their computers!
Where do you fit in?
What are the best practices for backing up your Mac?
What backup software for Mac should you use?
In this article, we'll answer those questions.
Do I Really Need to Back Up My Mac?
Yes, you do - if you value what's on it.
Although hard drives and solid-state drives (SSDs) are more reliable than ever, things still go wrong. Even if your hard drive doesn't break down, you might lose your Mac, it could be stolen, or it could be damaged or destroyed in some unforeseeable event.
It might not happen tomorrow, next week, or even next year. In fact, it may never happen to you.
But the reality is that it could happen at any time - and it does to many people.
If that were the case, what would the loss of all your data mean to you?
If your data isn't backed up, there would be nothing to do except kick yourself for failing to do what you knew all along - to back up your data.
So don't let that happen to you!
Back it up.
Go! Do it now!
How Many Backups Do I Need?
At least two.
Ideally, you should have both a local backup and an off-site or online backup to the cloud.
A local backup is where you copy the data from your Mac to an external hard drive. Both copies are in the same place so you can easily access the data, keep it up-to-date, or restore it if you have to.
The only problem with a local backup is that it's probably in the same physical location as your Mac. If something happens to your Mac during a robbery, fire, flood, other natural disasters, or ransomware attack, the additional copy may also be affected. Moreover, the backup hard drive can also fail.
That's why it's best to keep both a local backup and an online backup in the cloud.
Should I Use File Backup or Cloning?
Both backup methods have advantages.
A file backup backs up each of your files individually. That makes it easy to restore a single file if you - by accident - permanently delete a single file or need to restore a previous version.
The advantage of cloning is that it makes an exact copy of your Mac's hard drive at the bit level. If anything happens to your Mac, you can boot directly from the backup clone and carry on working without having first to replace your hard drive and restore your data.
As a best practice, you should keep both a file backup and a clone of your Mac.
Does My Mac Come with Backup Software?
Yes, it does.
Time Machine is macOS' built-in software. All you need is an external hard drive to get started.
Easy to use, Time Machine is a 'set-it-and-forget-it' experience. By default, it copies everything on your Mac - your accounts, applications, documents, email messages, movies, music, photos, preferences, and system files.
Time Machine also keeps multiple versions of each file. Any time a file is changed, Time Machine backs it up, allowing you to choose which specific version of the data to restore. Moreover, if you delete a file, Time Machine will keep a copy for a while.
Once you've set it up, you can literally forget all about it. All you need to do is make sure the external backup hard drive is at least twice the size of your internal hard drive and always attached to store the backups. The larger the drive, the more backups it can save.
How Do I Set Up Time Machine?
To set up Time Machine, all you have to do is buy an external hard drive and plug it into your Mac. As soon as you do, macOS will show a dialog box requesting confirmation that you want to use that drive with Time Machine, and ask whether to encrypt the backup disk or not.
Backup Files On Mac When It Won't Boot
When you choose Use as Backup Disk, Time Machine starts backing up all of your data. The process could take several hours, depending on the number of files and type of drive. Subsequent backups will be much faster since only changed files are backed up.
Time Machine backs up all files by default. Should you only wish to back up specific files or directories, you can choose which ones to exclude in System Preferences.
For more information on backing up your Mac, see the article Back up your Mac with Time Machine.
How Often Does Time Machine Back Up My Data?
Time Machine runs every hour. If for some reason, your Mac is asleep or the external hard drive cannot be reached, Time Machine will reinitiate the backup as soon as it can. As long as the backup hard drive can be found, Time Machine will take care of your data.
Why Do I Need Another Backup Software for My Mac?
While Time Machine is fast and easy to use, it's not perfect.
Moreover, Time Machine does not include the ability to clone your entire drive. If you need to get up and running fast and don't have time to replace and restore a failed drive, you'll want to have another bootable backup in addition to Time Machine.
Cached
What is the Best Backup Software for Mac?
Here are the top five backup applications that MacUpdate readers rave about:
SuperDuper! is easy to use with a well-designed, intuitive interface. You select the target and destination drives, and SuperDuper! will start backing up your data. It clones your Mac's hard drive, so you always have a complete backup of all your data.
After the initial full backup, you can choose incremental backups that only copies new files or those that have been changed since the last backup. You can also select which files you want to back up and which ones you don't.
SuperDuper! includes a Smart Wake feature - without turning on the screen to ensure your Mac is always backed up regardless of whether it's awake or not when the backup starts.
- MacUpdate User Rating: 4.9
- Version Reviewed: 3.3
- System Requirements: macOS 10.10 (Yosemite) or higher and supports both APFS and HFS+ volumes.
- Licensing: $27.95 for one Mac.
- Read MacUpdate user reviews of SuperDuper! for Mac.
Carbon Copy Cloner is a simple cloning tool that backs up your internal hard drive at the bit level. You can boot off the backup disc or clone and install a new drive. The application allows you to choose which files and folders to clone, and supports incremental backups with its Smart Updates feature.
- MacUpdate User Rating: 4.8
- Version Reviewed: 5.1.14
- System Requirements: macOS 10.10 (Yosemite) or higher.
- Licensing: $39.99 for all computers within a household. A free 30-day trial is available.
- Read MacUpdate user reviews of Carbon Copy Cloner for Mac.
Rather than only being a backup tool, ChronoSync includes both backup and synchronization capabilities. It allows you to backup - including bootable backups - to almost any external device or service, including iPads, iPhones, Windows PCs, and some cloud services.
ChronoSync Express provides entry-level synchronization and backup for only $24.99, but lacks the enhanced features that ChronoSync offers.
- MacUpdate User Rating: 4.7
- Version Reviewed: 4.9.7
- System Requirements: OS X 10.12 (Sierra) or higher.
- Licensing: $39.99 on sale. Usual price $59.98.
- Read MacUpdate user reviews of ChronoSync for Mac.
An easy to use utility, SmartBackup uses a custom synchronization engine with enhancedfeatures to improve performance. It allows you to choose which folders or volumes to sync, along with the ability to create a bootable clone of your internal hard drive.
Supporting a range of different configurations, SmartBackup allows you to archive changed or deleted files, choose multiple destinations, or exclude specific files or folders. Built-in automation enables you to schedule backups quickly.
- MacUpdate User Rating: 4.0
- Version Reviewed: 4.2
- System Requirements: OS X 10.10 (Yosemite) or higher.
- Licensing: Free.
- Read MacUpdate user reviews of SmartBackup for Mac.
Disk Drill is a powerful data recovery tool that allows you to scan your Mac - or other devices connected to your Mac - for deleted or corrupt files or partitions. Once the scan is complete, the Preview feature allows you to see which items were recoverable.
While the free version shows you what can be recovered, you need to purchase the Pro version to actually recover them.
- MacUpdate User Rating: 3.7
- Version Reviewed: 3.8.953
- System Requirements: OS X 10.8.5 (Mountain Lion) or higher.
- Licensing: Free for the basic version or $89.00 for the Pro version.
- Read MacUpdate user reviews of Disk Drill for Mac.
The Bottom Line
Backing up your Mac is not an option. It's a necessity.
All it takes is three simple steps:
- Purchase an external drive and set up Time Machine - today!
- Choose the right backup app to clone and/or synchronize your Mac.
- Check your backups regularly to verify you can read and restore from them.
Save yourself the headache and stress. Back it up - now.