how to use time machine to backup my mac

For the sake of simplicity here, I formatted an external SSD on the server in APFS Case-sensitive format, then ensured that volume was already added to the Time Machine exclusion list on the server, so that the server wouldn’t try to back it up. The fundamental requirements for the shared folder or volume on the server are that it’s shared using SMB and designated as being available for Time Machine backups. This article looks at configuring and using TMA’s backup storage on a shared disk over a network – in this case, a shared APFS volume on another Mac running Big Sur. This will help you have peace of mind that your data is being backed up just in case.So far in my exploration of Big Sur’s new Time Machine feature to back up to APFS (TMA), I have covered exclusively backing up to local storage. This way, you will have a nightly backup of your Mac without the need to remember to plug it during the day. You obviously need to ensure it’s plugged into power but otherwise, plug the external hard drive you use with Time Machine for backups and you can fold down your laptop and let it backup overnight.

On your laptop, choose Apple menu (the black apple on the top left corner) > System Preferences, then click Energy Saver.Ĭheck the box beside “Enable Power Nap while on battery power” and you’re done. Power Nap allows your Mac to perform useful activities while it’s asleep (there are plenty of activities that it will do but the important one we’d like to focus on today is the Time Machine backup). This is a great solution if you want to ensure you perform regular backups while avoiding being tethered to an external hard drive during the day when you may want to move your Macbook around wherever you go. If you own a Mac laptop, you may be wondering how to best back it up so you don’t lose precious files like your photos for example Did you know that your Mac can backup through Time Machine while asleep?

How to use time machine to backup my mac