Yes, you can use a single NTFS disk for both Windows and Mac backups. Time Machine can work on 'foreign' drives fine by using a sparsebundle disk image. This is how TM works with a networked drive; it creates a sparsebundle on the network drive, and then mounts it. There are a 3 main steps to using an NTFS or other non-HFS+ drive for Time Machine. Once Time Machine's first backup to the first drive is complete, disconnect it from your Mac completely. Attach the second drive and repeat the steps above. Switching between Time Machine disks requires virtually no effort on your part, but you don't want to connect both Time Machine disks simultaneously.
/Mac Tips /How to Back Up Mac to External Hard Drive without Time Machine
Time Machine allows Mac users to create a backup automatically for the first time set up but proves complex down the road. Going for external storage supports the back up of Mac data without it. Besides, you can bring the backup out of mothballs in case of a disaster that damages your Mac.
An external hard drive will ensure you're not caught napping if your computer or local backups get erased. You can easily retrieve data using another device, recover an earlier version of a file, or import backup clone to a new Mac.
Here, we'll look at how to back up Mac to external hard drive without time machine.
Article GuidePart 1: Shortcomings of Time Machine and the Impetus for External Hard DrivesPart 2: How to Back Up Mac without Time MachinePart 3: Other Solutions on Mac BackupPart 4: Conclusion
Part 1: Shortcomings of Time Machine and the Impetus for External Hard Drives
Disadvantages of Time Machine Backup
Time Machine will only work with the hard drive plugged in before running back up. Setting up Time Machine on your NAS drive for a wireless process runs at a snail's gallop. It also mops up more storage space due to incremental backups; you need a drive with a minimum of 1TB.
Restore Mac From Time Machine
With Time Machine, you might lose your Mac with data, your drive could stall, or your computer fails to start. It's also more difficult to retrieve data from SSDs. Malware infection may render data irrecoverable. Having an external hard drive as your backup adds an extra layer of security to protect.
Backing up your Mac without invoking Time Machine takes long for extremely large files or data transferred to a new storage destination. An external databank keeps data secure regardless of the status of your Mac.
Using backup software to clone the hard drive allows you to boot up from another device temporarily. Time Machine backup does not support this function. Moreover, cloud services' backup is accessible from any device.
Part 2: How to Back Up Mac without Time Machine
Method 1: Manual Backup
You can manually back up Mac data to an external hard drive without Time Machine. Just plug in the external hard drive to your Mac to get started and back up your data.
Best External Hard Drives For Mac
- Click Finder> Preferences and examine the Hard Disks in Show these items on the desktop.
- Now launch backup disk, generate a file folder and enter a name.
- Now, open Mac disk, hit Users' file folder and then highlight all files, including items that you want to backup.
- Now drag all the highlighted files or folders to the Backup destination that you've just created.
- Sit back and wait for the process to finish. The more files you've, the longer it takes to copy and paste to the external storage device.
Method 2: Automatic Back-Up with Specialized Software
Manual back up takes the patience of a saint. If you're racing against time, try a free third-party tool to back up Mac to an external hard drive or other storage locations. Just download and install EaseUS Todo Backup for Mac to get the job done without scrambling.
Step 1. Open and Run the Software.
Click on the initial Backup tab or just hit the + button in the lower-left corner to generate a backup project-name it and select OK.
Step 2. Set up the Data Location
Set up the data location where you wish to archive Mac data as backups or automatic and hit OK.
Step 3. Add Files or Folders to Your Project
Click on File+ to discriminatively handpick items to add to the project and hit the blue start key to back up your data to the external device.
You can also use cloning software if you want to back up bootable data. You may need to reformat the drive to prepare it for back up, invoke Disk Utility.
Part 3: Other Solutions on Mac Backup
iCloud
For Apple subscribers with iCloud storage, this offers a secure backup of data. It comes in handy for owners of multiple devices such as iPhone, iPad, and Macs. With the backup set up, you can access the same files across your devices. Backing up to iCloud also eliminates the need for an external drive.
Unlike other backup methods, you cannot retrieve a clone of your retired Mac onto a new one, including apps or settings. It allows you to access all the data stored in iCloud or apps downloaded from the App store.
Dropbox or Google Drive
Dropbox and Google Drive provide efficient alternatives to iCloud if you want to sync or share files. Cloud storage services make it a breeze to share files with your network instead of backing up all your content.
Data plans that mop up large amounts of data remain behind a pay-wall. However, you can't access a clone of your device in case of loss or damage. You should theoretically save a disc image of your computer in the cloud and recover that.
Offsite Backup
Specialized online backup services like Carbonite will store your Mac's data over the web at a prescribed fee. CrashPlan is a free alternative that allows you to sync your data to a drive-in another computer. Onto the downside, this method requires high-speed broadband services.
Tip: Duplicate Finder-Steer Clear of Imitations
Backing up video and large files mean more space if you end up with useless duplications. Use Duplicate Finder of iMyMac Mac Cleaner to save storage space. Mass duplicates gobble up more slots and bog down the performance of your Mac.
Hunting down duplicates with the naked eye is a needle-in-a-haystack search. Duplicate Finder ranges over every registry in your system to unveil and remove duplicates. If you have multiple backups for different files, this tool can be a game-changer to locate and erase duplicate files.
Part 4: Conclusion
Mac Time Machine External Hard Drive
In all, knowing how to back up Mac to an external hard drive without Time Machine will keep you safe in the knowledge that you can never lose or scramble for data in the aftermath of unfortunate scenarios. You can create a backup manually or use a third-party tool to make it a breeze.
An external storage device keeps your backup data secure than Time Machine. You can also clone your Mac and make data bootable from another device.
Do you've another way to back up your Mac without Time Machine? Share it with our curious readers in the comments below.
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Eschbach2020-09-14 20:26:25
Bonsoir,J'ai un gros soucis avec mon MacBook Pro. un point d'interrogation s'affiche à l'allumage. J'éteins 10s en maintenant enfoncé le bt power, j'appuie sur cmd+R longtemps, j'arrive sur la gestion des disques. Apparemment aucune erreur, mais je ne vois pas comment redémarrer.. le seul choix semble être d'utiliser Time machine (que je n'ai pas activé) ou de réinstaller os, ce que je ne veux surtout pas faire. Quelle solution?? Merci d'avance pour votre aide...
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