Using Time Machine to back up?

[vmflapem]

Can someone briefly explain how this Time Machine system works?
I've tried it but I'm still kinda wondering if it is reliable.. Does it back up absolutely "everything"?

Also why does it not automatically delete previous backups in the storage device?

 

[simonsi]

Time Machine is excellent, keeps versions of your documents etc as they change (unlike a single snapshot-type backup).

It manages its space and as the backup disk fills it does delete old backups.

You can use it to:

• Recover individual files and folders.
• Migrate to a new machine
• Restore to a fresh install of OSX

Just turn it on and it just works...

 

[vmflapem]

Time Machine is excellent, keeps versions of your documents etc as they change (unlike a single snapshot-type backup).

It manages its space and as the backup disk fills it does delete old backups.

You can use it to:

• Recover individual files and folders.
• Migrate to a new machine
• Restore to a fresh install of OSX

Just turn it on and it just works...

Ever since I turned it on, the storage on "Backups" (the one shown in "about this Mac" window) started going up.
Is it going to go up continuously and fill up the ssd?

 

[simon48]

Ever since I turned it on, the storage on "Backups" (the one shown in "about this Mac" window) started going up.
Is it going to go up continuously and fill up the ssd?

It will make delta backups until the backup drive is full and then it'll start removing the oldest delta backups to make room for new delta backups.

If you don't want it to use the whole drive you could partition the backup drive. If you do partition your backup drive you should make the partition 2-3 times the size of a full backup to have room for deltas and growth.

 

[simonsi]

On your local disk it will keep snapshots if your backup external drive isn't connected, when you connect your external drive it will take a backup to that drive. You can disable the local snapshots via terminal.

How is yours setup, backup goes to where??

 

[priitv8]

Ever since I turned it on, the storage on "Backups" (the one shown in "about this Mac" window) started going up.
Is it going to go up continuously and fill up the ssd?

No, these local snapshots will be managed space-wise automatically. You don't need to worry about them.
Here's the definitive explanation: http://pondini.org/TM/30.html
In general - when you have a question about TimeMachine - check the Pondini's excellent site first. You most probably will get your answer(s).