Backup Disks you can use ⁠ with Time Machine ‌

Backing up your Mac is of utmost importance as it shields your data ⁠ from unforeseen situations like hardware failures, inadvertent deletions, or system crashes. The backup feature called Time Machine in macOS, offers an ⁠ exceptional solution for automatically backing up your Mac. For optimal usage of Time Machine, a ⁠ compatible backup drive is required. The focus of this guide is on examining the multiple options for storage devices that are supported ⁠ by Time Machine, which will ultimately safeguard and enable easy recovery of your important data. ​

External Drive Connected ⁠ to Your Mac ​

Time Machine can easily back up your data ⁠ connected to to your macOS device. The connection options for this drive include ⁠ USB, Thunderbolt, and FireWire ports. After the initial connection of the external drive, Time Machine will ⁠ ask you to properly format it for backup functions. Should the drive be in an incompatible format, There is a possibility that Time ⁠ Machine will propose deleting its contents and configuring it as a backup disk. ‌

Network-Attached Storage (NAS) suitable ⁠ for Time Machine backups

In case you favor a backup solution that offers more flexibility or if you need to back up ⁠ several Macs on a network, employing the use of a Network-Attached Storage (NAS) device is possible. Time Machine over SMB (Server Message Block) ⁠ support is expected from this device. You will discover that many third-party NAS devices support Time Machine, and the specifics ⁠ regarding compatibility can be found in the documentation provided by your NAS device. ​

Utilizing Another Mac as a ⁠ Time Machine Backup Location ​

When using macOS Ventura or any subsequent version, you can select another Mac ⁠ within your network and designate it as the Time Machine backup destination. To set up this configuration, follow these steps on the ⁠ Mac you want to use as the backup destination: ⁠

Access the Apple menu  ⁠ > System Preferences. ⁠
Select General from the sidebar, Next, locate ⁠ Sharing on the right side. ​
Turn on File Sharing and if ⁠ necessary, input your admin password. ​
Choose the information symbol adjacent ⁠ to File Sharing. ​
Choose the add button (+) that is situated under the Shared Folders list, ⁠ Afterwards, designate a folder that will serve as Time Machine backup location. ⁠
Control-click the added folder and ⁠ pick the Advanced Configuration. ‍
Check “Share as a Time Machine backup ⁠ destination,” Finally, conclude by pressing OK. ​
Upon finishing these steps, when configuring Time Machine, your other Mac ⁠ computers can select the shared folder as their backup disk. ⁠

In case you have a previous edition of macOS, the steps are comparable, ⁠ however, to access File Sharing, navigate to System Preferences > Sharing. Follow the same steps to select a folder for Time Machine ⁠ backups and enable it as a Time Machine backup destination.

Time Machine Backup with AirPort Extreme ⁠ Base Station or AirPort Time Capsule ​

In case you own the AirPort Extreme Base Station (802.11ac model) or the AirPort Time Capsule, there is ⁠ the alternative of employing a USB drive that is externally connected for backing up through Time Machine. Follow these steps to ⁠ set it up: ⁠

Link the external drive to your Mac and ⁠ employ Disk Utility for wiping it. ‌
Link up the drive with a USB port situated on ⁠ your AirPort base station then switch it on.
Launch AirPort Utility Then choose ⁠ your base station. Choose Edit to view ⁠ its configuration. for accessing the ⁠ available configurations. ‌

Accessing the settings window, choose ⁠ the Disks tab. ​
Pick your backup disk from the listed ⁠ partitions, then check “Enable file sharing.” ‍
Multiple users within your network can utilize this ⁠ disk for their Time Machine backups. with Time Machine. For exclusive viewing rights to individual backups, ⁠ leverage the Secure Shared Disks functionality.
Choose Update to restart your base ⁠ station and enforce the settings. ​
After connecting your external drive to the AirPort base station, You can ⁠ now utilize Time Machine for wirelessly backing up your Mac. ​

Conclusion

Time Machine provides multiple choices for ⁠ ensuring dependable backups of your Mac. If you lean towards connecting an external drive directly to your Mac or opting for ⁠ a network-based solution like NAS or another Mac, Time Machine provides the necessary coverage. Maintaining a regular backup routine will grant you tranquility, ⁠ as you know your important data is safeguarded. Should the need arise, restoring it ⁠ is a straightforward process. should the situation demand. ​