I need a external hard drive as a TimeMachine controlled back up my iMac OS 13.4 desktop.

What should use as external hard drive for back up of my iMac OS 13.4 desktop?

iMac, macOS 10.13

Posted on Jun 3, 2023 12:51 PM

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D.I. Johnson

Level 8

36,675 points

Posted on Jun 3, 2023 1:18 PM

Most any external hdd will work as a Time Machine backup drive.

The only real caveat is that you may have to reformat it for use with the Mac. This is easily accomplished with the Disk Utility app included in the macOS.

Also, the capacity of the drive should be 2-3 times the total capacity of the drive(s) you will be backing up.

Please see: Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

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D.I. Johnson

Level 8

36,675 points

Jun 3, 2023 1:18 PM in response to dsbfromca

Most any external hdd will work as a Time Machine backup drive.

The only real caveat is that you may have to reformat it for use with the Mac. This is easily accomplished with the Disk Utility app included in the macOS.

Also, the capacity of the drive should be 2-3 times the total capacity of the drive(s) you will be backing up.

Please see: Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

Old Toad

Level 10

216,948 points

Jun 3, 2023 1:38 PM in response to dsbfromca

I recommend the I recommend drives from OWC (MacSales.com) as they have proven reliability, excellent customer support and warranties. Consider one of these for Time Machine:

OWC Mercury Elite Pro -HDD

OWC is considered the premier 3rd party supplier of Mac hardware.

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I need a external hard drive as a TimeMachine controlled back up my iMac OS 13.4 desktop.