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Backup Strategy
Minimum (Everyone Should Do)
- Time Machine to an external drive (plug in weekly at minimum)
- iCloud for photos, passwords, and important documents
Better (Recommended)
- Time Machine always connected or weekly
- iCloud 200 GB+ with Desktop & Documents sync
- Important files also in Google Drive or OneDrive (second cloud)
Best (Peace of Mind)
- Time Machine at home (daily)
- iCloud with Advanced Data Protection enabled
- Second backup to a different location (family member's house, office, or NAS)
- Homebrew package list exported:
brew bundle dump --file=~/Brewfile
Mac vs Windows Backup Comparison
If you back up both platforms, here's how the tools map:
| Feature | Mac | Windows |
|---|---|---|
| System backup | Time Machine | File History / Windows Backup |
| Full system restore | Recovery Mode + Time Machine | Reset this PC / Recovery Drive |
| Cloud sync (files) | iCloud Drive | OneDrive |
| Cloud sync (photos) | iCloud Photos | OneDrive Photos |
| Cloud sync (settings) | iCloud (automatic) | Windows Backup (automatic) |
| Disk encryption | FileVault | BitLocker |
| Package list export | brew bundle dump | winget export |
Cross-Platform Backup Strategy
If you use both machines, make sure critical files exist in at least one cloud service accessible from both:
- Work documents: OneDrive (accessible from Mac and Windows natively)
- Photos: iCloud Photos on Mac + iCloud for Windows on PC (or use OneDrive Photos folder on both)
- Passwords: Cross-platform manager (Bitwarden, 1Password): don't rely on a single platform's keychain
- Code: Git repositories pushed to GitHub/GitLab (platform-independent)
Backup Checklist
- [ ] Time Machine set up with external drive
- [ ] iCloud storage plan activated
- [ ] Desktop & Documents syncing to iCloud
- [ ] Photos syncing to iCloud
- [ ] Passwords & Keychain syncing
- [ ] Find My Mac enabled
- [ ] Recovery key stored securely (if using Advanced Data Protection)
- [ ] Tested a Time Machine restore at least once
- [ ] Critical work files also in OneDrive (accessible from Windows)
- [ ] Same password manager installed on both platforms