BAL-iP

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Q: Can I use a USB flash drive with Time Machine?

Now that high capacity USB flash drive (512 GB or 1 TB) are available, can I use that drive with Time Machine, basically replacing an external disk drive with the flash drive? Thanks.

Posted on Aug 27, 2015 8:38 AM

I have this question too

Solved

Level 10 (312,035 points)

A:

As with hard drives, the flash drive will need to be formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

(132434)

Posted on Aug 27, 2015 8:47 AM

Q: Can I use a USB flash drive with Time Machine?

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by Niel,

Niel Aug 27, 2015 8:42 AM in response to BAL-iP
Level 10 (312,035 points)

Aug 27, 2015 8:42 AM in response to BAL-iP

Yes.

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by BAL-iP,

BAL-iP Aug 27, 2015 8:45 AM in response to Niel
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Aug 27, 2015 8:45 AM in response to Niel

Thanks. Do I need a special format or just as it?
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by Niel,Solvedanswer

Niel Aug 27, 2015 8:47 AM in response to BAL-iP
Level 10 (312,035 points)

Aug 27, 2015 8:47 AM in response to BAL-iP

As with hard drives, the flash drive will need to be formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

(132434)
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by Phil0124,

Phil0124 Aug 27, 2015 8:49 AM in response to BAL-iP
Level 7 (27,002 points)

iPhone

Aug 27, 2015 8:49 AM in response to BAL-iP

As with every external drive, if its to be used by Time Machine it needs to be formatted as Mac Os Extended (Journaled).
Mac Basics: Time Machine backs up your Mac - Apple Support
Your Time Machine drive needs to be formatted as Mac OS X Extended (Journaled). If you select an NTFS or FAT-formatted drive, Time Machine prompts you to reformat the drive. Important: Reformatting erases any files on the destination drive. If you're not sure if you want to erase the drive you connected, choose a different drive.
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by smunzani,

smunzani Sep 9, 2016 7:15 AM in response to BAL-iP
Level 1 (4 points)

Sep 9, 2016 7:15 AM in response to BAL-iP

Yes but check the write speed of flash before you purchase. I tried it with a 256GB USB stick and the time machine was extremely slow. Finally after doing some more digging, found that the write speed on the stick was less than 10MBps. Read was pretty good.
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