{"id":20217,"date":"2017-12-28T17:19:20","date_gmt":"2017-12-28T13:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.msp360.com\/blog\/?p=20217"},"modified":"2025-09-19T12:44:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T08:44:32","slug":"how-to-backup-a-mac-top-5-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.msp360.com\/resources\/blog\/how-to-backup-a-mac-top-5-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Backup for Mac: Top 5 Tips for a safe Backup"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mac users typically have a basic backup structure using a good, native tool called \u201cTime Machine.\u201d But there are a few thoughts on how to backup for Mac that we want you to consider:\u00a0 make your backups more efficient and available anytime, anywhere for both personal or business needs.<\/p>\n

#1 Backup for Mac: Individual Folders<\/h2>\n

While trying to find out how to backup for Mac, avoid using the \u201centire system\u201d option too often. Using the built-in Mac backup feature (Time Machine backup<\/a>), you only select drives to backup and have the ability to exclude certain paths. It is an easy to use approach, but it lacks flexibility.<\/p>\n

Time Machine is able to determine whether a particular file should be backed up or not, but some applications can change their configuration in their .app package, meaning the entire program file will be marked as \u2018changed\u2019. You will just spend an additional volume on a backup repository that is not actually necessary.<\/p>\n

Thus, choosing particular folders with real user files is a better option, but you may need third-party software permission to do so.<\/p>\n

#2 Choose Incremental Backup for Mac<\/h2>\n

When dealing with regular data backups, it is important to implement Mac incremental backup to shorten copying time and minimize consumed storage space. Since every small change in a file renders it as \u201cbackup required,\u201d it is possible to copy only modified files. This approach can save a lot of time when you suffer from a poor network\/Mac performance, due to a backup running. Moreover, it can save storage space in a backup repository, so you could store more backup points.<\/p>\n

While deciding on how to backup files on Mac please check that the backup software of your choice allows you to create incremental and full backups separately. For example, MSP360 Backup allows you to create incremental data copies as often as you want, whilst preserving full backup jobs weekly\/monthly, etc. You can read more about incremental backup<\/a> in our separate article.<\/p>\n

Please also note that certain backup tools, including Time Machine, do not allow you to choose between using a Mac incremental backup or Mac full backup. If you back up frequently, you will experience long restoration times due to a lot of backup copies.<\/p>\n

#3 Choose Cloud as a Backup Option for Mac<\/h2>\n

Whilst there are many physical backup options for Mac, consider using cloud storage as a backup target. Storage clouds are inexpensive nowadays and prevent you from dealing with costly hardware which often lacks reliability. Plus, you will get a geo-redundant and highly available storage service that can last in case of any disaster.<\/p>\n

It is also convenient to have a backup repository while travelling around the world \u2013 you can restore any corrupted or missing file with a couple of clicks. In addition, it is impossible to lose such a storage type at an airport or for it to get it corrupted, in any case. Local storage may have the same level of convenience, yet this only possible when using an expensive two-drive NAS system with an Internet access option, which is far more difficult to maintain.<\/p>\n

#4 Select a Proper Cloud Service for Commercial or Personal Use<\/h2>\n

When searching for a proper backup cloud product, remember that there are two types of cloud storage:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Business-ready storage with multi-tenancy, advanced encryption, better availability, and other enterprise-level features. The most popular players are Amazon Web Services<\/a>, Microsoft Azure<\/a>, and Google Cloud<\/a>. Avoid using their smaller alternatives (Amazon Drive, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive) for corporate scenarios. These are consumer platforms, set up primarily for small file transfers and sharing.<\/li>\n
  2. Storage services for home users. Basically, they look the same, but have a lower guaranteed availability level and do not support as many access protocols and features. BackBlaze and Wasabi<\/a> cloud storage are typically the best and most affordable choice for end-users.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Fortunately, almost every cloud service provides a free trial period so you can check their strengths and weaknesses for yourself.<\/p>\n

    #5 Check If You Have a Separate Mac Local Backup<\/h2>\n

    Remember that the \u201c3-2-1\u201d backup strategy<\/a> is a gold standard on a market, so it is better to implement Mac local backup, even for personal needs.<\/p>\n

    Rule \u201c3-2-1\u201d stands for:<\/p>\n