What if, you wake up tomorrow and your Mac won’t start and you have a lot of things you need to work on? What will you do? Well, if it’s a hardware problem, technically, it’s easy to fix. Simply take your Mac to an accredited Apple specialist, spend several dollars, and the next thing you know, it’s already fixed.

With most backup solutions you can choose to back up all of your data (a full backup) or just parts of your data (an incremental or differential backup). A full backup is the most complete type of backup. It is more time-consuming and requires more storage space than other backup options. Apr 01, 2020 A local back up is literally taking a the data on your Mac and copying it to another drive in your home or office. Both copies are in the same place, so you can easily get to the back up when and if you need it, and either keep it up-to-date or restore from it if something bad happens to the original. When it comes to select the best and most reliable backup strategy for Mac OS X, Time Machine is the best option for that. Time Machine will work both with an external drive as well as with a Time Capsule, provided you have full access to your HD.

But what if the problem is preventing you to access your data from the hard disk? Is it still possible to retrieve them? If the odds are in your favor, you can recover your data but you only have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to a certified recovery specialist to get back some of your most precious files. If you’re not so lucky, all that iTunes library you collated, the vacation photos, and business documents are probably gone for good. Bye-bye files! And if you are one of Mac fanboys who think that a Mac is safe and it will NEVER encounter a disastrous storage failure, think again.

It is known that the newer Mac versions use SSDs or Solid State Drives, which are faster but a whole lot cheaper. No wonder they became the popular option in many laptop models. Then again, it is worth noting that an SSD is not an actual disc. If anything goes wrong with it, chances are, all the data stored in it are lost forever. That is why, starting today, always make it a habit to backup your Mac data. Of course, understanding and choosing the perfect backing up strategy can get tricky at times. But at the very least, you have this guide. We will teach you how to back up your Mac to ensure your data is protected in such a way that suits your preference.

SSD Failure: A Nightmare in the Making

One of the most popular advantages of using an SSD is its resilience against being dropped and run over. But as with HDDs, problems and issues are always encountered in one form or another. And unfortunately, what’s easy to fix with an HDD might be the contrary to an SSD type.

For instance, when an important file is deleted in HDD, it is not really deleted. It can still be retrieved since an HDD has a unique directory that keeps track of all file locations. Therefore, if you delete a file, the system will just tell the directory that the file is no longer there. As long as the file is not overwritten, a data recovery software or application can retrieve it.

SSDs, in contrast, work in a different way. SSD blocks cannot be overwritten. To store new data, the blocks have to be emptied. These SSDs use a particular system that manages and erase these particular cells and without the system, your Mac device is expected to run very slow.

Simply put, as long your HDD is working and spinning and the read head can be controlled, there is a good chance to recover lost data. As for an SSD, once the operating system loses access to files because of deletion or malware, all the data are gone for good.

Best Data Backup Methods for Mac

Whether your Mac is using the best and updated hard disk technology or a solid state drive that does not have any moving parts, make it a habit to back up your files. Here are four data backup methods we suggest.

1. Bootable Backup

A bootable backup is one, great backup option if what you are after is quick data recovery time. To recover files using this option, all you have to do is switch on your Mac, boot it, and you are all set. To make a bootable backup, here are the steps to take:

1. Prepare an external hard drive. It should be at least as big as the current hard drive you are using on your Mac. That way, you can be confident that your backup data will fit.
2. Format the hard drive. Simply plug it in and run Disk Utility. Select the hard drive.
3. Before formatting, check the bottom right portion of the window if it is marked as Partition Map Scheme: GUID Partition Table.
4. Now, if it does not say so, go to Partition > Options. Select GUID Partition Table. Click
5. In the Erase tab, make sure it is marked Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
6. Next, name it accordingly. Click Your external hard drive should be ready for use.
7. Download a backup software. Although there is so many available software for download, we suggest using the free ones. SuperDuper is one. It offers a basic backup option, but you can pay for other added features.
8. Run SuperDuper to start backing up your hard drive. In the left menu, select your Mac hard drive. In the right menu, click Backup – All Files.
9. Click Copy Now.
10. Wait until all your files are copied.

The most important thing about this method is that you have to do it regularly. Perform a backup after you install a new system or when you feel like doing so. By continuously doing that, you can easily get back to what you’re doing in case anything goes wrong during an installation or a system upgrade.

2. Live Backup

How about having an hourly or daily backup for your data? Doesn’t that sound convenient? After all, you can never tell when a hard drive will fail you, big time. For the past years, major companies including Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, and Google introduced cloud system or what others call a free online storage system. However, choosing the right storage for your needs can be a bit confusing but don’t worry, we’re here to help you make a sound decision.

First off, identify how much data you need to backup. If you already have an existing backup system, then it shouldn’t be much. The only data you need to backup are important documents and files you are currently working on.

Backup Strategy For Mac Windows 10

Then again, if you work on huge amounts of data on a daily basis, you can always upgrade your preferred online storage service. Relax. These services are priced reasonably. You just have to identify what your storage needs are.

Here are the options:

• Dropbox – A file hosting service based in San Francisco, California. Dropbox is widely used for cloud storage, personal cloud, file synchronization, and client software. When used, a special folder is created on the device of the user and then the contents of the folders are synchronized to the servers of Dropbox.
• Microsoft OneDrive – It is another file hosting service that allows users to save files and other personal data in the cloud. Files can be synced real-time and can be accessed from any device, as long as there is an Internet connection.
• Google Drive – One of the most popular file storage services today. Google Drive lets users store and synchronize files online. It is preferred by many because of its special feature, the Google Office Suite that allows collaborative document editing whether it be illustrations, presentations, documents, and spreadsheets.
• Apple iCloud – A widely-used cloud computing and storage service for Apple devices. It allows users to store files such as photos, documents, and music, as well as share and manage data between Apple devices.

3. Remote Backup

Yes, a local and live backup can retrieve your data if you encounter system errors and failures. But during times of disasters like flood, fire, or even theft, you can’t rely so much on them. The good thing is that you have another option: remote backup or off-site backup.

When it comes to remote backups, you have a lot of options and they are budget-friendly. But, take note that this option can be a bit slower than your regular backup options and at times, it may even take weeks. So just a heads up, if you are always in a hurry and need a fast service this is not the option for you, but if you really like the idea of having an off-site backup, you can consider this. It is especially true if you have a slow Internet connection. Usually, it takes weeks or months to get all your data backed up. However, once the backup process is completed, future backups will be easy.

4. Time Machine Backup

Time Machine is your Mac built-in option. This backup service is not much about recovering important data after a disaster, it’s about backing up your data to an external storage device so that it will be easier to restore them when the need arises. Time Machine stores every data you have on your Mac. It is configured to take local snapshots and create backups for the rest of the days. Yes, it may sound like a handful of backup, but actually, it is not. It only backs up whatever changes you have done since your last backup, making for a quick backup process. So, how do you set up Time Machine? Follow the steps below:

1. Connect your Mac to an external storage drive.
2. There should be a notification on your Mac asking if you want to use the external storage drive with Time Machine. Select Use as Backup Disk.
3. If no alert message shows up, change your Time Machine preferences. Go to System Preferences > Time Machine.
4. Select Backup Disk and then, the storage drive you wish to put your backed up files. Click Use Disk.
5. To make your backups secure, you can encrypt your backups. If you do that, you will be asked for a password whenever you attempt to access your backups.

Protect Your Drive

You will need to backup your files for two major reasons, you accidentally deleted them or you lost them due to system failure. Of course, you don’t want any of these to happen and the only way to prevent them is to protect your drive by making sure you have your backups.

We’ve already discussed four backup methods you can choose from. Your choice depends on your needs. However, aside from backing up, you can take the extra mile by protecting your Mac’s system by regularly running scans to identify which files may potentially cause your system to fail.

Now, if you are looking for a tool or software that allows you to do that, we recommend Outbyte MacRepair. This cleaning tool is designed and made to restore efficiency as this tool can identify and pinpoint files and applications that may put your system at risk for threats.

Okay, we’ve shared a lot. The decision whether or not to backup your data is now in your hands. If you choose not to back up, that is fine. But don’t tell us we didn’t warn you. Backing up your data might just save you in the long run.

Did we miss anything important? Do you have a unique backup method for Mac to share? We’d love to hear. Share your thoughts with us by commenting below.

Dr. Mac's Guide to Backing Up Your Mac
By Bob 'Dr. Mac' LeVitus

You know the expression, 'different strokes for different folks?' Well the question of how much backing up is enough for you is a case in point. A person who uses their iMac only occasionally and has never added any third-party software has far different backup needs than someone who uses their quad-processor Power Macintosh G5 with 4GB of RAM and a pair of 400 gigabyte hard disks to run their business. Then there are those whose backup needs fall somewhere in-between those two extremes.

Don't worry. There may be different strokes for different folks, but I'm about to propose a plan for each and every one of you. Read through the plans in this chapter and see which one best suits your needs, or cobble together your own plan based on the plans here. In the end your goal is to create a backup strategy and implementation that suits your needs and your budget.

But, before we get to the actual planning, there are three immutable rules you need to know and a decision you have to make about how much of your data needs to be backed up.Immutable Rule #1: One backup is never enough.

As you'll see in the sample plans coming up shortly, one backup is never enough. This point is absolutely and positively immutable beyond the shadow of a doubt and here's why... Say you have a document file. It is a perfectly good document file one day; a few days later you discover it's damaged and won't open. If you only have one backup, it's very possible you have two damaged (e.g. corrupted) copies of the file and no good copies. With multiple backups there's a much better chance of recovering a recent and undamaged version of the file.

Here's another reason one backup isn't enough: Let's say you're diligent and you always backup your important files on a hard disk, tape, DVD or CD. And one day that hard disk, tape, DVD or CD ceases to function. It happens and you know it... Again, multiple backups would more than likely have saved your bacon.

I recommend you make at least three backups of every file or disk you care about.

Which leads us to Immutable Rule #2, which is:Immutable Rule #2: At least one backup set should always be stored offsite.

If your only backups are stored in the same room, or even the same building as your Mac, you run the risk of losing them to fire, flood, earthquake, Klingon attack, or other acts both natural and not, including but not limited to theft. This more or less defeats the purpose of backing up and is the main reason you must store at least one recent backup somewhere other than the room (or building) where your Mac is.

I have some backup DVDs in my car and I have a safe deposit box at the bank, which contains a set of recent DVD backup discs.

No matter what you are backing up, from a single document to your entire hard disk, it's a bad idea to keep all of your backups in the same room (or building) as your Mac.Immutable Rule # 3: If you use rewritable optical discs or tapes, retire them regularly.

Backup media sometimes fails. It's more likely with tape than CD-RW or DVD-RW discs, but in most cases it's better not to reuse the same disc or tape over and over and over again.

After using a rewritable optical disc (e.g. CD-RW or DVD-RW) in a backup set for 6 months, I 'retire' it from service. I stick those backup discs in my 'old backups' drawer or my safe deposit box at the bank and forget about them. Then, I recreate that backup set with fresh, new discs.

Tapes, CD-RW, and DVD-RW discs are cheap; retiring them after a few months of use is cheap insurance and it helps you with Rule #1, too, because you don't have to erase these older backups when you retire the media. Instead, save them in a location other than the building where your Mac is, which will give you one more (albeit older and possibly more out-of-date) backup set to rely upon should something go horribly wrong.

Do I want (or need) to backup my entire hard disk?

Having memorized my three immutable rules, the next thing you need to consider is whether you want or need to backup your entire hard disk or whether you can just back up specific files or folders. Since a lot of what is on your hard disk can easily be reinstalled from its original CD or DVD-your applications, games, System software, software that came bundled with your Mac, and such-it may not be necessary for you to backup your entire hard disk. And, of course, the bigger your main hard disk, the more backup media (hard disks, tapes, recordable CDs or DVDs or whatever) you'll need to back up the whole thing.

Do you want to? Do you need to? Well, that depends....

First, how important is it to you to make things 'just like they used to be' quickly and easily if something horrible happened and you needed to restore your hard disk from a backup set? If you don't mind that it could take you days of reinstalling from CDs and/or DVDs, resetting preferences, and/or adjusting things so your Mac is just like it used to be, or, if you don't use your Mac that much, you probably don't need to back up your entire hard drive. You can probably get by with something along the lines of Plan A (coming up shortly).

If you can't afford to spend a couple of days getting things 'back to normal' after you restore from a backup, you probably want to backup your entire hard disk. If that describes you, you should adopt something along the lines of Plan B or C (coming up shortly)-whichever best suits your needs. Just choose a hardware solution with a low cost per megabyte for media and it'll only cost you a few bucks extra (and a couple of extra hours) to do a complete backup.

Plan A: Light backup needs

Profile: The 'Plan A' user probably uses an iMac or iBook. They rarely or never buy third-party software; they mostly (or only) use what came with the computer. They don't soup up their Mac with third-party utilities. They don't run dozens of different applications; just a handful like AppleWorks, Quicken, Mail, Safari, and maybe one or two others. They don't create a lot of documents; just a few letters, some emails, and their Quicken data file.

Backup Mac Pro

In a nutshell, these are light users who probably don't need to backup their entire hard disk. If something goes wrong, 98% of what's on their hard drive can be reinstalled from the original CDs or DVDs. So these users need only be concerned with the 2% of their files that can't be easily restored from a CD or DVD.

If that sounds like you, backing up will be quicker and even more painless than for most users, since almost everything can be restored from its original CD or DVD.

All you need are some blank CD-R or DVD-R discs and a good backup software program to automate the process. Retrospect Express, which is bundled with many third-party hard disks, is one such program. Apple's Backup (now up to Version 3), which is free to .Mac subscribers, is another. They both let you choose the kind of files you want to backup, then automatically figure out when those files have been changed and if so, backs them up when you perform an incremental backup. Both can also launch themselves and run backups automatically, unattended.

Trust me, a decent backup program is worth every penny you spend on it.

See the Plan A Tutorial for complete instructions on how to do this type of backup. And read Chapters 3, 4, and 5 for more information about your hardware and software options.Plan B: Modest backup needs

Profile: The 'Plan B' person uses their Mac every day. They have a handful of applications and use every one of them. They use one or more iLife programs-iTunes, iMovie, iPhoto, iDVD, and/or GarageBand-frequently. They have installed third-party utilities and System Preference panes that aren't part of Mac OS X. They create new documents and download stuff from the Web every day. And every document and download is important to them (and perhaps their clients as well).

If that describes you, you will want to perform a complete backup of your entire hard drive followed by incremental backups, probably daily. You will need a high-capacity hardware device-a DVD-Recorder (such as Apple's SuperDrive), tape drive, or big external hard drives-plus backup software.

Backup Strategy For Mac Free

See the Plan B Tutorial for complete instructions on how to do this type of backup. And read Chapters 3, 4, and 5 for more information about your hardware and software choices.Plan C: Extreme backup needs

Profile: The 'Plan C' user makes a living billing by the hour. If they're sitting at their Mac, they're generating big bucks. If their Mac dies, it will cost them money each hour it remains down. They create lots and lots of documents every day and their work environment is customized to the max. They may create huge graphics files, giant QuickTime movies, and volumes of email each day. These users can't afford to lose even an hour of their work.

This user needs an automated high-volume backup solution and multiple daily backups. You will want a high-capacity/low media cost hardware device-probably tape, or external hard drives-to make multiple complete and incremental backups. This user should also create a clone of their main hard disk on an external FireWire hard disk.

See the Plan C Tutorial for complete instructions on how to do this type of backup. And read Chapters 3, 4, and 5 for more information about your hardware and software choices.

Backup Strategy For Mac Windows 7

Mac Os Backup Software