If i use Timemachine on all my Mac's do I need iCloud?

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Level 1

4 points

If i use Timemachine on all my Mac's do I need iCloud?

I have several Mac computers, and an iPhone. I use TimeMachine to backup all my devices. Each mac has a 4TB hard drive for TimeMachine. All except for the iPhone which backs up to icloud. I notice that the largest contingent of files are documents that take up the most storage. I like the way Mac OS sync's files to each Mac from any working Mac. Does iCloud storage have an impact on this process if I cancel backing up documents to iCloud?

iMac 27″, macOS 11.2

Posted on Feb 23, 2021 12:10 PM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

210,437 points

Feb 25, 2021 1:30 PM in response to d4nelli

iCloud is not an off computer storage facility. It's a syncing feature so all Macs that are signed intro iCloud with the same Apple ID can have the same Documents and Desktop folders.

If you want off computer backup then get an external HD that's about 2-3 times the size of the drive(s) you're backing up and use Time Machine. These are excellent choices for TM drives: OWC Mercury Elite Pro. Very reliable with great customer support and warranties.

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Answer 2

Feb 23, 2021 12:24 PM in response to d4nelli

Yes. If you cancel backing up documents to iCloud then the files will no longer sync between Macs. Keep iCloud sync on and that is what syncs files seamlessly to all your devices including mobile devices. Time Machine backs up everything else that is not on iCloud or in an iCloud designated folder.

If you have files in other folders that you do not backup to iCloud or specific system preferences on a Mac, keep using time machine to back up those items. If anything happens to a device and you need to restore, you can use Time Machine to restore everything back the way it was at a certain point and then iCloud will continue syncing the iCloud folders with the most recent files.

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Answer 3

d4nelli Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 23, 2021 1:10 PM in response to TrinityStudent2011

I don't think I was very clear, my fault & my apologies. I keep getting alerts that my 20GB of icloud storage is almost full. When I look at icloud storage, I see that documents are taking up the majority of space. When I look at the documents folder on iCloud Drive, it is the same Document folder that is identical to the Document folder on my 3 Mac's. If I'm backing up my Mac's to external hard drives on each Mac, do I have to back it up to iCloud Drive too? Which brings the 2nd question, if I delete this Document folder on iCloud Drive, will I still be able to syn files and folders across my 3 Mac's, with the exception of the iPhone.

I'm trying to avoid having to purchase more iCloud storage if I don't have too is where this is all going.

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Answer 4

Feb 23, 2021 5:48 PM in response to d4nelli

Sorry for the delay. You are 100% correct. If you don’t want to buy more storage for iCloud you can setup a folder on the time capsule and copy them over there so you can still access them on all devices. You will just have to be on your home network and connect to the time capsule each time to get to archived documents, this can be slow on wifi.

If you want auto sync on all your devices though and quick access deff buy more storage. Years ago I committed to buying google drive storage to sync between devices but this was right after mobile me changed and didn’t have file storage for a while. Now that iCloud has a really great file storage system that syncs seamlessly between devices I’m really considering switching from drive over to iCloud, it’s really nice now.

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Answer 5

léonie

Level 10

197,147 points

Feb 25, 2021 12:10 PM in response to d4nelli

How are you using iCloud Drive on your Mac? Is "Optimise Mac Storage" enabled?

If you are using "Optimise Mac Storage" for iCloud Drive (and your Desktop & Documents, then Time Machine cannot backup all of the documents and data you are having on iCloud Drive, because the optimised items are not visible to Time Machine. The items on iCloud Drive will be your only copies and you need urgently to make regular backups of your content in iCloud. Storing items on iCloud Drive is not a backup, you are just moving them to a different location. You still need a backup, because Time Machine can only include them in the backup, if you refrain from using "Optimise Mac Storage" for iCloud. Storing documents and data on iCloud Drive is not an additional backup, it is breaking your Time Machine backup, if you are using iCloud to save storage o your Mac.

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