{"id":87840,"date":"2023-12-19T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-19T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/?p=87840"},"modified":"2024-06-17T15:32:07","modified_gmt":"2024-06-17T20:32:07","slug":"backup-best-practices-how-to-use-time-machine-optimally-with-other-macos-backups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eshop.macsales.com\/blog\/87840-backup-best-practices-how-to-use-time-machine-optimally-with-other-macos-backups\/","title":{"rendered":"Backup Best Practices: How to use Time Machine Optimally with Other macOS Backups"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Some people do not backup at all (my kids, what about yours?). Some use ‘cloud’ backup (way better than nothing). Some use Time Machine with an external drive<\/a> (subject to the same risks as the computer!). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And some do it right<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post concerns the best way to setup and use Apple Time Machine. Clone backups<\/a> will be covered in another post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Backup best practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Three Rules\/Best Practices for a Competent Backup Strategy:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
  1. At least 2 and preferably 3+ backups not subject to risks to the computer itself. eg. Stored away from the computer<\/strong> so that theft\/fire\/flood risks to the computer do not risk them. Updated every 1-4 weeks and not all at once.<\/li>
  2. Use Time Machine as a supplementary<\/strong> and daily backup in addition to<\/em> #1.<\/li>
  3. Use iCloud or other cloud backup a supplementary<\/strong> backup in addition to<\/em> #1.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Rules #2 and #3 are best seen as supplementary because of significant risks, including the same risks as the computer, accessibility, password compromise (eg locked account), bandwidth impracticality, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A Time Machine backup is an \u201calways-attached backup\u201d. As such, it is subject to the same risks as the computer itself<\/strong> eg. theft\/fire\/flood\/voltage spike\/etc. Such backups might be called \u201chalf backups\u201d because they might be toast when the computer itself is lost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Best<\/strong> features of Time Machine: hourly backups, keeps deleted files, keeps versions of files, backs-up the boot volume without the hassles of other backup methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Worst<\/strong> features of Time Machine: at risk along with the machine, no direct access to files, poor control over what it does and does not backup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One irritant for me: I like to backup to encrypted volumes<\/a>. While TM offers an option to encrypt the TM backup itself, if you attempt to use and existing APFS encrypted volume as a TM backup, TM insists on erasing it to a non<\/strong>-encrypted case-sensitive APFS volume. This is no good if I want to also make a clone backup to the same volume, a perfectly reasonable thing for a large drive. Moreover I do not want some extra password involved for TM specifically. The only workaround seems to be to make more than one volume on the same drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Is the backup good?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The data integrity<\/a> of all external backups in rule #1 should be proven<\/strong>, because assuming<\/em> correctness is a strategy for failure. Even if a backup is OK when made, it might not stay that way… how would you know? Mistakes of various kinds are made all the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Verifying data integrity (including checking for missing files!) is a complexity that most users never consider, but the threats to data integrity are real, not the least of which are user error or software bugs. As of 2023, the only general purpose (and cross-platform) data integrity solution on the market today is diglloydTools IntegrityChecker<\/a> (manual pages<\/a>, sales page<\/a>). Yes, it\u2019s my (the author\u2019s) creation and yes that\u2019s a pitch for it. No professional should be operating without it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Capacity for Time Machine backup drive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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    Volume with 8TB capacity<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    More than one TM backup drive can be used. But my recommendation is one and only one TM backup drive<\/em>, using other drives for clone backups<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Just about any external drive will do, but because Time Machine stores multiple versions of files as they change, it is a good idea to choose a drive that has at least 50% more storage capacity than what TM will be backing-up. Which means how much stuff you actually have<\/em> on your Mac\u2019s drive<\/strong>, not necessarily the drive capacity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For a large drive with not much stored on it, the backup drive need only be large enough for the backup, not the entire potential used capacity. This might save you some money in the short\/medium term by buying lower-capacity backup drives. Plan ahead appropriately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, for a 4TB internal SSD (“flash drive”) on your Mac that is mostly full, a backup drive for TM would ideally be 6TB or more. But what if there is only 1TB or so of data on that internal SSD, and might only be 1.5TB two years later? In that case, a 2TB drive for backup should serve well for two years; no need to spend on a larger and costlier backup drive. On the flip side, too small a drive means replacing it too soon\u2014even more expensive. Plan accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A note: <\/strong>OWC has a lot of great external drives<\/a> for use as a backup drive, but the new Express 1M2 enclosure<\/a> is a particularly appealing solution for just this purpose. Not only is the Express 1M2 a blazing fast external drive\u2014which means the act of backing up your data will take much less<\/em> time\u2014it’s also a DIY enclosure<\/a>, allowing you to install your own 2230, 2242, or 2280-sized NMVe M.2 SSD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The OWC Express 1M2 external drive and enclosure is a perfect solution for making fast and redundant backups.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    This means that you can swap out multiple M.2 SSDs as redundant backups with the Express 1M2. Once you have your backup done, you can follow Rule #1 by popping out a particular M.2 and storing it in a protective anti-shock case such as this one<\/a>, away from your computer<\/strong>, <\/strong>while still being able to use another M.2 SSD as a more frequent Time Machine backup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Configuring Time Machine to use the drive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In System Preferences => General => Time Machine<\/strong>, click Add Backup Disk…<\/strong>. Choose the volume that Time Machine should use (I like to name my Time Machine volume \u201cTM\u201d, as a working practice).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    More than one TM volume can be specified, but additional backups are best done as clone backups, and stored elsewhere. TimeMachine is really best for short-term changes\/updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Time Machine: Add Backup Disk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    Time Machine: Set Up Disk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Below, a walk-through video on adding an encrypted drive for Time Machine Backup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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