How to Back Up a Mac

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Connect your Mac to a formatted external hard drive.

   Connect the drive to your computer using the cable provided (usually USB, Lightning or eSATA). , It's the  icon in the upper-left corner of your screen., It's in the second section of the drop-down menu., It's near the bottom-center of the window.
   
   For older versions of macOS and Time Machine, make sure the Time Machine switch is set to the "On" position. , It's in the the right pane of the dialog box., Select the external hard drive you connected to your Mac., It's in the lower-right corner of the dialog box.
   
   Check "Back Up Automatically" in the left pane of the dialog box if you want your Mac to back up at regular intervals.
   
   Check "Show Time Machine in menu bar" to create a shortcut in the menu bar to Time Machine preferences and backup status. , It's in the lower-right corner of the window.
   
   Check "Back up while on battery power" to allow Time Machine backups when your Mac is not plugged in.
   
   Check "Notify after old backups are deleted" if you'd like Time Machine to let you know when it's deleted older backups to make space for newer ones.
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   Step 2: Click on the Apple menu.

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   Step 3: Click on System Preferences.

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   Step 4: Click on Time Machine.

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   Step 5: Click on Select Backup Disk….

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   Step 6: Click on a disk.

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   Step 7: Click on Use Disk.

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   Step 8: Click on Options….

Detailed Guide

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