Question about Time Machine

[Mr. Giver '94]

So I got a new external drive and set it up with Time Machine. I don't really need hourly backups 24/7, so is it ok to turn off the drive and just turn it back on when I want to back it up again?

I guess what I'm wondering is whether turning the drive off after a backup will mess up the time machine sync, schedule, etc.

Thanks in advance for your answers!

 

[spinnerlys]

It's totally fine to plug the drive in whenever needed, it will not disrupt the backups, unless you do that in the middle of one backup.

 

[Mr. Giver '94]

Thanks!

 

[gr8tfly]

If the time for backup has passed, it'll backup as soon as you plug the drive in.

Unless it's physically a nuisance to have it plugged in, having the drive plugged in all the time is the easier route, IMO. It'll only backup changes, so if the machine is just sitting, there won't be much for it to do anyway. If you're the one deciding when to backup, you're losing the big "set and forget" advantage.

 

[Nugget]

Unless it's physically a nuisance to have it plugged in, having the drive plugged in all the time is the easier route, IMO. It'll only backup changes, so if the machine is just sitting, there won't be much for it to do anyway. If you're the one deciding when to backup, you're losing the big "set and forget" advantage.

This is excellent advice.