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Utilizing macOS Time Machine for Local Backups Instead of Cloud Storage
Key points
- Time Machine is a macOS utility for local backups.
- It backs up to external drives or partitioned internal drives.
- Apple recommends external drives with twice the Mac's capacity.
- Drives must be formatted with APFS for Time Machine.
Cloud Storage Landscape
Commercial cloud storage, initiated by Amazon S3 in 2006, has evolved from a convenience for accessing a few files to a necessity, often requiring subscriptions for significant storage. Services like Dropbox and Google Drive popularized personal cloud storage. Apple's iCloud offers 5GB free, which is often insufficient for device backups and large file transfers, leading users to consider paid plans.
Time Machine as an Alternative
For users who do not require cloud accessibility for their computer's files, macOS provides Time Machine, a utility for creating local backups. This tool allows users to save applications, photos, videos, and other documents to an external hard drive or SSD. While the initial backup can take time, subsequent hourly, daily, or weekly snapshots are faster.
Setting Up Time Machine
Time Machine can back up to an external drive or a partitioned internal drive, with external drives being the more secure option. Both portable SSDs and older hard drives are suitable, though SSDs can lose data if unpowered for extended periods. Apple advises using an external drive with at least double the capacity of the Mac's internal drive. The drive must be formatted with the APFS file system, which limits native compatibility with Windows. Partitioning the drive is necessary if other files are to be stored alongside backups.
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Reporting from
This article explains how to use Apple's built-in Time Machine utility on macOS for local backups to an external drive, offering an alternative to paid cloud storage subscriptions. It details the setup process and requirements for using Time Machine to back up applications, photos, videos, and documents.