Frequency of backups

I really only need Time Machine to backup my Mac a couple of times a day, not every hour. Is there a way to change the backup schedule and/or intervals?

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Dec 12, 2020 8:14 AM

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2 replies

leroydouglas

Level 10

204,304 points

Dec 12, 2020 11:04 AM in response to hughejd

hughejd wrote:

I really only need Time Machine to backup my Mac a couple of times a day, not every hour. Is there a way to change the backup schedule and/or intervals?

Search the app store for "time machine scheduler"

default backups for TM are ~hourly if plugged in.

TM is great when it works, no so much when it does not...

3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.

— How to create a boot clone https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-10081

—Back up your Mac with Time Machine: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250

—Use DiskUtility Restore feature https://support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/restore-a-disk-dskutl14062/mac

note: >System Preferences>Security & Privacy >Privacy>Full Disk Access

unlock the padlock, press the + button and add Disk Utility

hughejd Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 12, 2020 4:55 PM in response to leroydouglas

Thanks, leroydouglas. I've read about both Time Machine Scheduler and Time Machine Editor. I'm wondering if it's worth downloading a 3rd party application, as I suppose it hurts nothing to have Time Machine backing everything up hourly.

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Frequency of backups

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