How to backup a Time Machine backup drive?

My Mac is backed up on a local Time Machine external drive. I want to backup that drive in the cloud. How can I do this?

iMac 24″, macOS 15.3

Posted on Mar 10, 2025 10:51 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 10, 2025 11:26 AM

Time Machine doesn't backup to the cloud and the transfer of hundreds of Gigabytes - potentially Terabytes - of data is not practical for the average consumer.


If you want to backup the TM backup, I believe your best option will be to simply use another drive and create a second TM backup on that. Time Machine is capable of using multiple external drives and will backup to any that you setup for its use whenever they are connected to the Mac.

Use Time Machine on your Mac to back up to multiple disks - Apple Support


Savvy users will have at least two backup drives, and keep one off site in case of catastrophe, rotating the drives as schedule allows. For example, my mom lives nearby, so when I see her I bring along her 2nd b/u drive and update it when I get there. I also swap my own 2nd b/u, alternately leaving one then bringing the other home to use between visits.



3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 10, 2025 11:26 AM in response to OnHD

Time Machine doesn't backup to the cloud and the transfer of hundreds of Gigabytes - potentially Terabytes - of data is not practical for the average consumer.


If you want to backup the TM backup, I believe your best option will be to simply use another drive and create a second TM backup on that. Time Machine is capable of using multiple external drives and will backup to any that you setup for its use whenever they are connected to the Mac.

Use Time Machine on your Mac to back up to multiple disks - Apple Support


Savvy users will have at least two backup drives, and keep one off site in case of catastrophe, rotating the drives as schedule allows. For example, my mom lives nearby, so when I see her I bring along her 2nd b/u drive and update it when I get there. I also swap my own 2nd b/u, alternately leaving one then bringing the other home to use between visits.



This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How to backup a Time Machine backup drive?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.