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User profile for user: sharon175
sharon175 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Back Up Woes Help

I am currently using a 3rd Party Cloud backup for my iMac (I also have Time Machine set up). I have had some minor blips with it over the years, but now I have a major issue - it is eating my Memory alive! 8GB on my iMac - yesterday it was taking 14GB for the backup scan to run. It has been using over 7GB for about a month now. Needless to say, I could not open/run anything else. I have uninstalled it. But need to fix or replace soon.


I thought I would switch to iCloud, but when I contacted Apple Support and they told me that iCloud is a "storage" area, not a "backup" for my Mac.


Any suggestions for a good, efficient Cloud option.


Sign me, Technically Challenged User

2017 iMac

OS 10.13.6 (and do not want to update)

Posted on Apr 19, 2022 6:18 AM

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User profile for user: Jack-19
Jack-19
User level: Level 8
46,020 points

Posted on Apr 19, 2022 6:51 AM

Hi Sharon,


Welcome to Apple Support Community.


Personally, I store all my files in iCloud, and use Time Machine. This means all my files are safety stored “off-site”, while having a local backup on an external disk should I need it. I recommend this solution for you.


Here are some resources on setting up iCloud for Mac:


After enabling iCloud, move your files to either the new iCloud folder, or make sure your files reside in the Desktop or Documents folder, as they are now synced to iCloud if you followed these steps: Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support.


After you setup iCloud, turn off "Optimize Mac Storage" in System Preferences > Apple ID/iCloud. That way, all changes made to files in iCloud are also backed up to Time Machine.


Jack

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User profile for user: Jack-19
Jack-19
User level: Level 8
46,020 points

Apr 19, 2022 6:51 AM in response to sharon175

Hi Sharon,


Welcome to Apple Support Community.


Personally, I store all my files in iCloud, and use Time Machine. This means all my files are safety stored “off-site”, while having a local backup on an external disk should I need it. I recommend this solution for you.


Here are some resources on setting up iCloud for Mac:


After enabling iCloud, move your files to either the new iCloud folder, or make sure your files reside in the Desktop or Documents folder, as they are now synced to iCloud if you followed these steps: Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support.


After you setup iCloud, turn off "Optimize Mac Storage" in System Preferences > Apple ID/iCloud. That way, all changes made to files in iCloud are also backed up to Time Machine.


Jack

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Back Up Woes Help

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