Files to Backup

[JoelBC]

As a start I know that there are different backup strategies and that everyone does what is best for them.

I have decided that I want to backup more that just my user data. I want to backup those files that are necessary to do fully restore.

I noticed the following:

1. Carbon Copy Cloner: Backs up the entire Application folder, the entire Library File folder, a subset of the System folder and the entire User folder (other than the Guest user). The System folder subset are those folders in the red box in the below image:

2. Time Machine: Backs up the identical / same subset of folders as Carbon Copy Cloner, including the System folder subset!

The question that I would like assistance with is why are only a subset of the System files backed up (i.e., why are the other System folders and files not needed to do a full restore)?

Thank you.

 

[gilby101]

The question that I would like assistance with is why are only a subset of the System files backed up (i.e., why are the other System folders and files not needed to do a full restore)?

Your macOS boot disk is in two volumes. 1) With macOS itself which is the exactly same for everybody. 2) Everything else. Finder shows these a combined view.

So TM and CCC do not backup the macOS volume. If you do a disaster recovery with a new or erased disk, the first step is to install macOS from Apple and then to use Migration Assistant to recover everything else from TM or CCC.

The two volumes are visible in Disk Utility so long as you have View - Show All Devices enabled.

 

[JoelBC]

@gilby101 Appreciated.

I did know that there were two volumes (i.e., macOS and "mine" [for lack of a better / easier description]) as I hadpreviously explored this through Disk Utility.

I did not know that i) Finder shows them as combined, ii) the System folders and files that CCC and Time Machine backup are ONLY those that are "mine" and iii) the System folders and files that CCC and Time Machine do not backup are part of the macOS install and therefore do not need to be backed up.

Thank you, very helpful.

 

[Boyd01]

It used to be possible to create a "bootable" backup with Carbon Copy - I did it for years. But Apple made some changes with Big Sur. See this article on their site

"Copying Apple's system is now an Apple-proprietary endeavor; we can only offer "best effort" support for making an external bootable device on macOS Big Sur (and later OSes). We present this functionality in support of making ad hoc bootable copies of the system that you will use immediately (e.g. when migrating to a different disk, or for testing purposes), but we do not support nor recommend making bootable copies of the system as part of a backup strategy."

Creating legacy bootable copies of macOS (Big Sur and later) - Bombich Software

bombich.com

 

[JoelBC]

It used to be possible to create a "bootable" backup with Carbon Copy - I did it for years.

Agreed, as did I!

I recently learnt that was no longer happening / possible thanks to Rob at Bombich / CCC.

The bad news, I hand my head in teh hand and lost sight of this. The good news, I am now aware

But Apple made some changes with Big Sur. See this article on their site

"Copying Apple's system is now an Apple-proprietary endeavor; we can only offer "best effort" support for making an external bootable device on macOS Big Sur (and later OSes). We present this functionality in support of making ad hoc bootable copies of the system that you will use immediately (e.g. when migrating to a different disk, or for testing purposes), but we do not support nor recommend making bootable copies of the system as part of a backup strategy."

Creating legacy bootable copies of macOS (Big Sur and later) - Bombich Software

bombich.com

Appreciated and read!

Thank you!

 

[Fishrrman]

Joel wrote in #5 above:
"Agreed, as did I!
I recently learnt that was no longer happening / possible that to Rob at Bombich / CCC."

You can still create a BOOTABLE cloned backup on an m-series Mac.

There ARE limitations, but it CAN be done.
I have done it.

I used SuperDuper, which makes the process easier.

You have to do a "full clone" -- "incremental" clones can't work.
SD will
- erase the drive (to APFS)
- do the clone
- try to make it bootable.

It works for me using a 2021 MBP 14" running Monterey.

I CANNOT vouch for whether it works with Ventura (don't use Ventura).

But...
- If you use SuperDuper
- and use Monterey
... it should work.

PROVISOS:
Once you create the clone, the OS on the clone CANNOT BE UPGRADED. It is kind of "frozen in place". If you do an OS update on the Mac, the only way to update the OS on the clone is to "go back to the beginning" and clone the ENTIRE drive again (as we did above).

You CAN still do incremental backups to your "HD Data" drive (which means your installed apps, accounts, personal data, etc.).

Having the bootable clone has other limitations. For example, if your internal SSD were to fail, the bootable clone CANNOT boot the Mac, because an m-series Mac requires a working INTERNAL drive in order to boot (even if you're booting from the cloned backup).

But again -- you can still boot from the clone, and do some things while using it that you otherwise probably couldn't do when booted from the internal drive.