Even the most reliable computers and hard drives fail at one point. Macs are considered to be among the most reliable computers ever built, but even these amazing products fail, too. The only way to ensure that your data is protected is to create backups. Fortunately, for Mac users, this won’t be a problem. With Time Machine on Mac, creating backup copies of your data can be completed with a few clicks of a button.
One small problem though is if you have multiple Macs and you wanted to create backups of all their hard drives on the same external drive. While you may be able to move the external drive around and manually create backups of each device, it would certainly be a tedious operation if you had to do this on a daily basis.
- 1 day ago Step 2: As you will view the Time Machine, you need to click on it. This will instantly open up the Time Machine application for you, and you will be able to see the old backups on Mac. Step 3: Once you have opened the backup on Time Machine, you can proceed to the next step. This is how to delete the Time Machine backups, using the Finder.
- Download Time Machine Launcher for Mac free. The Time Machine Launcher widget.
- Time Machine on Mac is a unique backup app in a sense that the software captures an hourly snapshot of the data on your device and saves it on an external drive. It will continue taking snapshots of your data until the drive is filled up.
A good solution though would be to purchase an Apple AirPort Time Capsule so that you can network your devices and create backups of your data seamlessly. That’s if you had a few hundred dollars to spare, though. Another downside is that Time Capsules usually have a rather limited hard drive. Those that have larger capacity drives are expectedly more expensive.
Free download LogViewer for Time Machine LogViewer for Time Machine for Mac OS X. LogViewer for Time Machine - View any errors that Time Machine will log, but does not tell you about! What's new in The Time Machine Mechanic (T2M2) 1.15: n case you missed the news, beta-testers of Big Sur have revealed that macOS 11.0 can save its backups to APFS volumes, indeed those are now the preferred format for backup stores for both local and network Time Machine backups.
Fortunately, there is a cheaper solution, which will still require the use of Time Machine. But this time, you will create a Time Machine Server using one of your Macs. With this option, you’ll be able to save a couple hundred dollars. Word of caution, though: setting it up can be a bit complicated.
However, if you follow this step-by-step guide, you’ll have your Time Machine server up and running in no time.
Before we go through all the intricacies of setting up a Time Machine server, let’s make sure your familiar with what the software is and how it’s used. If you’ve already used Time Machine on Mac before and you’re well aware of how it works, feel free to skip this section and move directly to the step-by-step guide. Otherwise, read on.
What is Time Machine?
Time Machine on Mac is a unique backup app in a sense that the software captures an hourly snapshot of the data on your device and saves it on an external drive. It will continue taking snapshots of your data until the drive is filled up. At this time, the app deletes the oldest files on the drive and replaces them with the latest snapshots.
In the event of an internal drive failure, you can recover data of the entire device from the external drive, making it easy to replace any lost files.
What You’ll Need to Make Time Machine Work
Time Machine is already installed on your Mac, so all you’ll need is an external drive, which you can purchase at reasonable prices.
When purchasing an external drive, it’s best to ensure that it’s formatted using the GPT (GUID Partition Table) or the APM (Apple Partition Map) formats. Drives formatted using the Master Boot Record (MBR) format will also work, but there’s a good chance that some of the partitions may not be available for use. To maximize the use of your external drive, have it formatted using the recommended partition formats.
Time Machine works on any Mac device, so even if you have an old Mac lying around, you can still use the app on it as long as it’s working fine. In fact, if you’re hardly using your old device, it would be an excellent idea to use this as your Time Machine server.
As mentioned earlier, Time Machine app on Mac also works on a Time Capsule network backup device. This device is what Mac recommends you use if you’re planning to backup multiple devices on a network.
Another important requirement is a reliable internet connection. Wi-Fi can be used to backup data on your Time Machine server, but if you’re looking for faster data transfer, it’s best to use Ethernet option instead of relying on Wi-Fi.
![Time machine editor app Time machine editor app](/uploads/1/1/7/7/117766424/581671919.jpg)
How to Set Up Your Time Machine Server: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1. If you’re going to use an old Mac, which would be recommended because the device should be dedicated as a Time Machine Server and nothing else, then the first step is to update the device to make sure that it is running the latest macOS version.
Step 2. Since you’ll be using your Mac as a server, you’ll need the Mac Server app. This app costs less than $20 and can easily be downloaded from the Apple App Store.
Step 3. Purchase an external drive if you don’t already have one. Yes, your old Mac should already have an internal drive, but we don’t recommend you use that. It’s best to use an external drive with a GPT or APM partition. The external drive can be connected through USB, Firewire, or the Thunderbolt port.
Step 4. Make sure that the Mac is connected to the internet, preferably via Ethernet. Your modem or router should have more than enough Ethernet ports to connect all your devices. If not, then you should consider purchasing a Hub or a Switch so you can connect more devices to the network.
Step 5. Download the server app onto the Mac you’re using for your Time Machine server.
Step 6. Configure the server app. Once you open the server app, let it run through the initial setup. On the list of services on the left-hand side of the screen, select Time Machine.
Step 7. Connect your external drive to the Mac if you haven’t done so already.
Step 8. On the Time Machine screen, use the [+] button to select the external drive as the backup destination. The server app will ask you to click on Create. After doing so, it will display a message to Disable Ignore Ownership of this Volume. Simply click on Disable.
Step 9. On the top right-hand side of the screen, you’ll find a switch that will activate Time Machine. Toggle this switch to the ON position and it will automatically configure the device for file sharing.
Step 10. Configure your users. On the left-hand side of the screen, click on the Users option and then the [+] button. You’re probably thinking that since only you will be using the device, you’ll create almost identical usernames for your devices and use a similar password. While you can certainly do this, think about what would happen if for some reason one of your devices were compromised. It would certainly mean that all your devices are at risk as well since they all have the same passwords.
If you’re not good at remembering passwords, list them down somewhere and keep the passwords in a secure but easily accessible location.
Once you’ve configured the users, click on one user, and then the gear icon. You’ll need to select the Edit Access to Services button, then File Sharing, and then Time Machine.
Congratulations! You have now configured your Time Machine server. All you need to do now is to connect your other devices to the network and make sure that the Time Machine backup on Mac is working. Fortunately, this procedure is a whole lot easier than setting up the Time Machine server.
Connecting Users to the Time Machine Server
This procedure is rather simple, but you’ll need to repeat it for every device you intend to connect to the Time Machine server.
Step 1. Open the Mac you wish to connect and proceed to the System Preferences. On this screen, select Time Machine.
Step 2. On the Time Machine Screen, select the Backup Disks button.
Step 3. You will then be presented with a list containing the Time Machine server you just set up. Select the server and choose whether you want the data to be encrypted or not. If you choose encryption, you’ll need to enter a password.
Step 4. Before you can click on Connect, you’ll need to enter the username and password of the device. Enter the username and password you created when setting up the users on the Time Machine server.
Step 5. Well done! Your backups should begin automatically in a short while. In the meantime, you can select the data that you want to be backed up. If you want to backup everything, that’s fine. However, if you want to conserve space by deselecting anything you don’t need copies of, that would be a good idea as well.
Step 6. Repeat the above procedures for all the devices you want to connect to the Time Machine Server.
Monitoring Your Backups and Your Time Machine Server
From time to time, it would be an excellent idea to make sure that your Time Machine server is working fine. Simply log in to your Time Machine server and check the backups if they’re being updated as scheduled. You’ll also need to make sure that the server is in working order at all times. To do this, it would be a good idea to use Tweakbit MacRepair. This app will ensure that your Mac is in good working order at all times, so it can keep running Time Machine as long as you need it to.
If you’re running into errors and your system is suspiciously slow, your computer needs some maintenance work. Download Outbyte PC Repair for Windows, Outbyte Antivirus for Windows, or Outbyte MacRepair for macOS to resolve common computer performance issues. Fix computer troubles by downloading the compatible tool for your device.
See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy Policy.
See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy Policy.
If you used Time Machine to create a backup of your Mac, you can restore your files from that backup or a local snapshot on your startup disk. You might want to restore your files after the originals were deleted from your Mac, or the hard disk (or SSD) in your Mac was erased or replaced, such as during a repair.
Restore from a Time Machine backup
When you restore from a Time Machine backup, you can choose to restore all your files, or restore both the Mac operating system (macOS) and all your files.
Restore all your files
![Machine Machine](/uploads/1/1/7/7/117766424/339819982.jpg)
Download Time Machine Backup Mac
- Make sure that your Time Machine backup disk is connected to your Mac and turned on. Then turn on your Mac.
- Open Migration Assistant, which in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
- If your Mac starts up to a setup assistant, which asks for details like your country, keyboard, and network, just continue to the next step. The setup assistant includes a migration assistant.
- If your Mac doesn't start up all the way, or you also want to restore the macOS you were using when you created the backup, follow the steps to restore both macOS and your files.
- When you're asked how you want to transfer your information, select the option to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk. Then click Continue.
- Select your Time Machine backup, then click Continue.
- If you're asked to choose from a list of backups organized by date and time, choose a backup and click Continue.
- Select the information to transfer, then click Continue to start the transfer. This screen might look different on your Mac:
- If you have a lot of content, the transfer might take several hours to finish. When the transfer is complete, restart your Mac and log in to the migrated account to see its files.
Time Machine Editor Mac
Restore both macOS and your files
These steps erase your hard disk, then use your backup to restore both your files and the specific version of macOS you were using when you created the backup.
- Make sure that your Time Machine backup disk is connected and turned on.
If your backup disk isn't available, keep going: You might be able to restore from a local snapshot on your startup disk. - Turn on your Mac, then immediately press and hold Command (⌘)-R to start up from macOS Recovery. Release the keys when you see the Apple logo or spinning globe.
- When you see the macOS Utilities window, choose the option to restore from a Time Machine Backup.
- Click Continue until you're asked to select a restore source, then select your Time Machine backup disk. Or select your startup disk (Macintosh HD), which might have a local snapshot you can restore from.
- Click Continue. If your disk is encrypted, you're asked to unlock the disk: Enter the administrator password you used when setting up Time Machine, then click Continue again.
- Select a backup, if available, then click Continue.
- Select a destination disk, which will receive the contents of your backup. If restoring from a local snapshot, you aren't asked to select a destination.
- Click Restore or Continue. If your Mac has FileVault turned on, you're asked to enter your administrator password to unlock the disk.
- When done, restart your Mac.
Restore specific files
Learn how to use Time Machine to restore specific files, including older versions of your files.
Time Machine Software
Learn more
Download Time Machine For Macbook Pro
- What to do if you can't restore with Time Machine. If you need help, contact Apple Support.