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Time Machine
Time Machine is the easiest backup system on any computer. It makes hourly backups to an external drive and lets you restore individual files or your entire Mac.
Setting Up Time Machine
- Get an external drive: USB-C SSD or HDD, at least 2x your Mac's storage (512GB minimum for 256GB Mac)
- Plug it in
- macOS will ask if you want to use it for Time Machine: click Yes
- Or go to System Settings > General > Time Machine > Add Backup Disk
How It Works
| Backups | Kept For |
|---|---|
| Hourly backups | Past 24 hours |
| Daily backups | Past month |
| Weekly backups | Until the drive is full |
When the drive fills up, Time Machine automatically deletes the oldest backups.
Restoring Files from Time Machine
- Open the folder where the file was
- Click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar > Browse Time Machine Backups
- Navigate back in time using the timeline on the right
- Select the file > click Restore
Restoring Your Entire Mac
- Boot into Recovery Mode (hold power button > Options)
- Select Restore from Time Machine
- Choose your backup drive and date
- Wait for the restore to complete
Time Machine restores everything: apps, settings, files, and accounts. It's like rewinding your Mac to that moment in time.
Recommended External Drives
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| USB-C SSD (Samsung T7, SanDisk Extreme) | Fast, portable, silent | More expensive |
| USB-C HDD (WD Elements, Seagate) | Affordable, large capacity | Slower, moving parts |
| NAS (Synology, QNAP) | Network backup, always available | More complex setup |