Also: Optimize Mac Storage can make your files go poof. Ask me how I know And yet it’s super easy to do a data backup of your files in case disaster strikes – all you need is a USB drive and the software built into macOS. Yes, I know, you could back up to the cloud. If you want to do this, I recommend Backblaze – nothing beats having a backup you can hold in your hand (and maybe keep safe in a fireproof safe or offsite). The software we are going to use here is Time Machine. Ideally, you want a USB drive that has double the capacity of your Mac’s drive, as this will allow for rolling backups, but in a pinch you can use a drive that’s the same size as your Mac’s storage drive, or even smaller, depending on how much data you have. Also: The best external hard drives you can buy Don’t worry, if your backup drive is too small, the Time Machine software will tell you. Tip: Here’s how to find out how big your Mac’s storage drive is, and how much data it has on it.
On macOS Ventura or later: Click on the Apple menu > System Settings, then click General in the sidebar, then click Storage on the right hand sideOn earlier versions of macOS: Click on the Apple menu > About This Mac, then click Storage
How to back up your Mac onto a USB drive
Here’s the process. And don’t worry, it’s quick and easy to set up. Here I’m going to use my awesome Apricorn Aegis Padlock 256-Bit USB 3.0 hardware encrypted ruggedized portable drive. Not only is it small and robust, but the encryption keeps my data safe, and it looks very, very James Bond. Since the drive uses a USB-A connector, and my Mac has USB-C, I do need to use a hub with the right ports, but this is a fact of life of using Macs these days. Connect the drive you want to use to your Mac. The first backup is always the longest, so leave your Mac connected to power if it’s a MacBook, as this will give you the fastest possible backup.
On macOS Ventura or later: Click on the Apple menu > System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then click Time Machine on the right hand sideOn earlier versions of macOS: Click on the Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Time Machine
On macOS Ventura or later: Click Add Backup Disk…, then follow the onscreen instructions for linking the drive to Time MachineOn earlier versions of macOS: Click Select Backup Disk, then follow the instructions for linking the drive to Time Machine
Yay! You can use your Mac while the backup is ongoing.
How often you back up is up to you. Weekly is good, daily is even better. Monthly is pushing it, but it depends on the data you’ve been saving onto your Mac in the interim. And if you want total piece of mind, you can have Time Machine backing up to multiple drives (protects you against hardware failure), and throw a cloud backup into the equation for total protection.
