I use Dropbox but have 2 TB on my iCloud account that is unused. Can MacBook Air back up automatically in real time like DropBox. I would like to only pay for one instead of both. I use SSD drive for my Time Machine back up which I do once a month since I only have 2 USB 3 ports and one is used for power and the other for my external second display.
MacBook Air Apple Silicon
Mac can sync data with iCloud automatically when that data changes. 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 the Apple article: How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support
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
Mac can sync data with iCloud automatically when that data changes. 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 the Apple article: How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support
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
Dropbox vs iCloud back up
