To backup, or not?

[ivanwi11iams]

New to Mac OS, with a Mac Mini M1 I purchased yesterday.
All my data is in the cloud, various locations. And, I even have 2 local copies on SSDs.

My question is simple, do I still need to run Time Machine backups? Typically, if I ever need to restore a unit, I do it from scratch anyway, and again, all my data is available in the cloud. Hence, my question.

 

[ecatomb]

Time Machine = save your data at many time
So if you are working on a text file and want to go back to a previous version, you can.
And iCloud is far from 100% of your files, TM is closest to that. So you can restore config files of an app too 😉

 

[Apple_Robert]

From what you said, you don't need to run Time Machine.

 

[0128672]

New to Mac OS, with a Mac Mini M1 I purchased yesterday.
All my data is in the cloud, various locations. And, I even have 2 local copies on SSDs.

My question is simple, do I still need to run Time Machine backups? Typically, if I ever need to restore a unit, I do it from scratch anyway, and again, all my data is available in the cloud. Hence, my question.

Congrats on your new Mac! You may think you have all the scenarios covered, but TM backups (or third party app backup utilities) can save a lot of time and frustration if the unexpected happens.

 

[fwmireault]

I mean, it’s a free and very complete service that Apple offers on macOS. You loose nothing to have a backup, even if you never use it. If you have a external drive, it may be worth it. Just be sure to configure a separate volume if you have external files on this drive, because TM will eventually take all the space of the volume

 

[Apple_Robert]

The way I see it, the OP has multiple copies in different places in the cloud as well as 2 different SSD's as local backups. TM will be overly redundant, in my opinion.

"Typically, if I ever need to restore a unit, I do it from scratch anyway, and again, all my data is available in the cloud."

 

[ecatomb]

If your data is corrupted then synchronised on iCloud, TM will be nice to have

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Thanks for the responses. My data in the cloud (not just iCloud), has the option for multiple editions of each file. A nice service that Box Cloud Services offer. I do believe Google Drive offers something similar, too.

My question was more based on the repeated tips from videos I have seen online.

Like someone did state, since it is free, etcetera, I could just use it. I do have a spare 256GB SSD, might just chuck it on this M1. Thinking about it, I might connect it via the Thunderbolt connection, thus saving a USB A connector.

 

[twdawson]

I have an Apple time capsule drive that backs everything up. Also use the cloud and various external drives for media. I have never had to use the time machine backup from the time capsule but I know if anything bad happens it is there.

I have copies of all my data backed up to various cloud services, an external portable hard drive which travels with me to work.

You can't have too many backups.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Brilliant feedback. To be clear, on my Mac Mini I do have Time Machine setup and running

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Question:
When Time Machine has been setup and configured, and set to "Back Up Automatically" can you eject the drive icon from your Desktop, or does it need to remain there?

 

[0128672]

Question:
When Time Machine has been setup and configured, and set to "Back Up Automatically" can you eject the drive icon from your Desktop, or does it need to remain there?

Yes, you can eject it. All that will happen is that you’ll miss the hourly backups. Those will start again once it’s connected. I tend to leave mine with Automatic disabled unless I’m working on a project for which I know hourly backups are important, and then I’ll temporarily switch to Automatic for that day. If it’s kept on Automatic, the system may nag you to back up, although I can’t swear that’s true.

 

[0128672]

I have an Apple time capsule drive that backs everything up. Also use the cloud and various external drives for media. I have never had to use the time machine backup from the time capsule but I know if anything bad happens it is there.

I have copies of all my data backed up to various cloud services, an external portable hard drive which travels with me to work.

You can't have too many backups.

I heartily agree you can’t have too many backups. In addition to cloud services, time machine, and two external drives, I backup my iPhone and iPad to my Mac, and still back up documents and new photos to DVDs. I don’t go as far as storing backups in a safe deposit box, but some people do.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Brilliant feedback. To be clear, on my Mac Mini I do have Time Machine setup and running

Back when I was using Time Machine ( pre-M1 etc.), I used to use a third party app made for letting you configure when you wanted Time Machine to backup. It gave you a lot more granular control.

‎Backup Scheduler: Time Editor

‎Backup Scheduler for Time Machine lets you control when Time Machine backs up your data Supports: macOS 10.11 - Ventura + App features: • Time based schedule: Backup starts in specified intervals (10 minutes - 1 week) or at the earliest possible time • Idle based schedule: If computer is...

apps.apple.com

Arq backup does an even better job with that, as well as offering cloud backup long with local backup. It offers things TimeMachine doesn't.

Cloud backup software for Mac and Windows : Arq

www.arqbackup.com

 

[gilby101]

Arq backup does an even better job with that, as well as offering cloud backup long with local backup. It offers things TimeMachine doesn't.

As I am sure you are aware, Arq does not really compete with TM for local backup. For one thing, Arq does not provide full system recovery like TM does.

 

[Apple_Robert]

As I am sure you are aware, Arq does not really compete with TM for local backup. For one thing, Arq does not provide full system recovery like TM does.

Yes, I am aware. In regards to granular control, which is what I was speaking about with TM and the third party app I mentioned, it offers more options than TM. In context of what I was speaking of, I don't believe I said anything wrong.