User profile for user: denise CLARK
denise CLARK Author
User level: Level 1
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Is it possible to include an external hard drive as well as my iMac content in my time machine back up ?

Hi,

Is it possible to include an external hard drive in my time machine back up ?

My time machine is backing up to WD 4TB external Hard drive which is more than double the size of my iMacs backup which is 185.38 GB. I have another drive I use for iMovie libraries - this is a seagate drive of 2TB size. The iMovie libraries take up 843.51 GB. I would like to include this Seagate drive in my time machine back up if possible. Thanks for your help! Best wishes, Denise.




iMac 27″, macOS 11.7

Posted on Aug 14, 2024 3:40 AM

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User profile for user: den.thed
den.thed
User level: Level 10
93,604 points

Posted on Aug 14, 2024 7:01 AM

Yes you can, if the drive or volume is shown in the Time Machine "Exclude these items from backups" list.


To add the external drive to the Time Machine backups, you actually have to remove it from that list.


Open the Time Machine Preference

Select Options... in the bottom corner

Highlight the volume that you want to backup

Click the - button at the bottom of the panel and click Save



Please note: that the "My Music" drive in my screenshot example, is not currently being backed up.

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User profile for user: den.thed
den.thed
User level: Level 10
93,604 points

Aug 14, 2024 7:01 AM in response to denise CLARK

Yes you can, if the drive or volume is shown in the Time Machine "Exclude these items from backups" list.


To add the external drive to the Time Machine backups, you actually have to remove it from that list.


Open the Time Machine Preference

Select Options... in the bottom corner

Highlight the volume that you want to backup

Click the - button at the bottom of the panel and click Save



Please note: that the "My Music" drive in my screenshot example, is not currently being backed up.

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Is it possible to include an external hard drive as well as my iMac content in my time machine back up ?

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