Can "Time Machine" be used in iCloud?

Can "Time Machine" be used in iCloud?

iMac 24″, macOS 12.0

Posted on Dec 31, 2021 12:07 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 31, 2021 12:47 PM

No. It isn't clear exactly what you mean by "used in iCloud" but Time Machine cannot backup data that is only in iCloud (e.g., photos or files that have been Optimized on your Mac and do not have a local copy on the Mac.

Also, you cannot use Time Machine to backup a Mac to iCloud. It will only backup to external devices -- see: Backup disks you can use with Time Machine - Apple Support


Apple offers iCloud Backup for iPhones and iPads but not for Mac computers.


It is possible to sync data from a Mac to iCloud if you turn on those options (e.g., iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive including the Desktop & Documents option). Syncing has some of the benefits of a backup (and the benefit of being offsite) but is not the same as a backup. Major differences include the fact that not everything on your Mac can be synced and the fact that if you delete something, accidentally or otherwise, there is only a limited time period (30 days in most cases) during which it can be recovered.


Also see: https://support.apple.com/mac-backup


And more information on syncing in:

Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

and

Access and manage your files in iCloud Drive - Apple Support

and

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 31, 2021 12:47 PM in response to TAP79

No. It isn't clear exactly what you mean by "used in iCloud" but Time Machine cannot backup data that is only in iCloud (e.g., photos or files that have been Optimized on your Mac and do not have a local copy on the Mac.

Also, you cannot use Time Machine to backup a Mac to iCloud. It will only backup to external devices -- see: Backup disks you can use with Time Machine - Apple Support


Apple offers iCloud Backup for iPhones and iPads but not for Mac computers.


It is possible to sync data from a Mac to iCloud if you turn on those options (e.g., iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive including the Desktop & Documents option). Syncing has some of the benefits of a backup (and the benefit of being offsite) but is not the same as a backup. Major differences include the fact that not everything on your Mac can be synced and the fact that if you delete something, accidentally or otherwise, there is only a limited time period (30 days in most cases) during which it can be recovered.


Also see: https://support.apple.com/mac-backup


And more information on syncing in:

Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

and

Access and manage your files in iCloud Drive - Apple Support

and

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support

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Can "Time Machine" be used in iCloud?

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