Can I back up my MBP using Time machine on my Imac

[richard371]

I have an Imac with a huge USB drive thats running time machine. I also want to back up my MBP. Is it possible to back it up via wifi to that drive?

Thanks

 

[The General]

No. Plug the Time Machine drive into the MacBook Pro and back it up that way.

 

[richard371]

will that create a separate folder for the MBP?

so it will be easy to distinguish the 2?

No. Plug the Time Machine drive into the MacBook Pro and back it up that way.

 

[The General]

so it will be easy to distinguish the 2?

you can divide the drive into two partitions - one for your imac backup and one for your macbook backup. then they would be easy to distinguish the two. but no distinguishing needs to be made as time machine automatically chooses which to backup where and which to access when engaged.

 

[andyboutte]

No. Plug the Time Machine drive into the MacBook Pro and back it up that way.

That is incorrect.

you can divide the drive into two partitions

although you could do that it could waste space depending on how much changed data you have on each machine.


The best solution is to keep the drive attached to your iMac and in system preferences -> sharing -> files sharing add privileges to your drive for your user. on your MBP go to the time machine preferences -> choose a drive and you will see the USB drive attached to your iMac. keep in mind that to back your MBP your iMac and your USB drive will both need to me on.

 

[germanix]

"The best solution is to keep the drive attached to your iMac and in system preferences -> sharing -> files sharing add privileges to your drive for your user. on your MBP go to the time machine preferences -> choose a drive and you will see the USB drive attached to your iMac. keep in mind that to back your MBP your iMac and your USB drive will both need to me on."
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Hi andyboutte, thank you very much for this advice. I can surely use this in my own setup. Have a nice day!