How do I set the time for starting time machine when it is set to daily option?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: setting time for timemachine
Mac mini (M4 Pro, 2024)
There is a free app that you can configure a Time Machine backup any way you want:
You can also do this yourself with either an AppleScript or a terminal shell script that manually starts a backup. Then wrap that in an Automator calendar task.
You can choose the backup frequency, but not the actual time.
see "Learn about backup frequency and duration" at > Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support
The only way to some what control the time, is to run with the backup drive disconnected and then connect the backup drive at the desired time.
If you need to set the time of the backup you can use Carbon Copy Cloner. It will let you set the time and even do individual backups when it detects a change in the files. Just use the Macintosh HD as the drive to backup. It does incremental backups - only backing up files than have been changed, added or deleted like Time Machine.
Hi Jim_B.
Back in the days of Mojave I did arrange certain times to do a TM backup but eventually just let TM do its thing. After a day there will only be one backup a day anyway.
Note also if Mac is asleep TM won't run.
That said there are a couple of suggestions. As a slight variation to den-thed's, if you have a designated TM backup drive you can arrange to have it normally unmounted then at appropriate time mount it and TM will start.
I could also use the command "tmutil" either to enable or disable TM but so far have not found a way for Sequoia eg set as Manual
Now the tricky bit, firstly you have to write Automator Apps for either or both these ways. Then have to arrange a recurring calendar event to run one/both of these apps.
Bit 'tedious' to set up. Also if the Mac is asleep when this calendar event is due to go off, it won't run.
Again this is what I did in Mojave but checking in Calendar for Sequoia looks exactly the same setup will work.
While Time Machine is certainly simple and effective for a set it and forget it solution, it's not perfect for all situations.
In your case you may want to explore what Carbon Copy Cloner has to offer (https://support.bombich.com/hc/en-us/articles/20686449773847-How-to-schedule-a-backup). You could use it as an alternative to TM or as a second backup method.
Yea, that would be nice if the notebook would be close enough to connect to the server and this is my problem. The server is stationary, but the MacBook is not. It is not here during the day and hence the backup fails. Worst yet, the user does not notice and inform me of the problem. I do not understand why apple would not allow the user to set the time. Surly it can't be that complicated to do!
What Server...?
If the server supports Time Machine, then you may just need to adjust something in the setup.
If the server does not support Time Machine, then you need to use a different strategy.
see > Types of disks you can use with Time Machine on Mac - Apple Support
Jim_B. wrote:
Yea, that would be nice if the notebook would be close enough to connect to the server and this is my problem. The server is stationary, but the MacBook is not. It is not here during the day and hence the backup fails.
The backup fails? Is there a failure message associated with it?
Something isn't right. If the TM backup server is not available when TM wants to back up, it simply defers the backup until it becomes available. No failure message appears. It normal and expected for portable Macs to be portable. Meanwhile, it continues to create "local snapshots" that are reconciled and eventually written to the TM backup disk when it returns.
Only after ten days elapses will TM begin to complain.
Maybe you should just let TM work without constraining the frequency of backups. That's how TM worked for decades until Apple decided to let users specify when they want TM to work. Why anyone would want to do that is beyond my understanding, but everyone's backup needs are different.
The following may be a clue, from About Time Machine local snapshots on Mac - Apple Support:
Important: Local snapshots are only stored on disks using Apple File System (APFS) when Back Up Automatically is selected in Time Machine settings.
That's what I recommend.
Beautiful! This is exctly what I was looking for. I have not taken it out for a spin yet, but it looks like exactly what I need. I really do not have the time to hand hold all of my customers ( and relatives, friends, neighbours...). 3rd degree questioning just takes too much time and worst yet, I still have to check anyways. I just have to remind myself that whatever goes wrong, it is my fault. You know, I refer to it as the DAD SYNDROME. It doesn't matter, it's your (dad's) fault.
A happy family is a frustrated dad at the keyboard.
Why do you want to do that? Just set TM to automatic backups. Let it use its built in process.
Hi Jim_B
Does “Beautiful” refer to the app TimeMachineEditor or going down the path of Automator app combined with Calendar?
I’d be interested to know how you get on.
I thought you were using a Mac Mini?
How do I set the start time for daily Time Machine backups?
