best way to back up files

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Level 1

8 points

best way to back up files

Hi! Until recently, I have been using my Mac OS X for personal use. Internet and pictures pretty much. Now, I have a business and am trying to learn to fully use my laptop to support my business. I downloaded the El Capitan and have been a little lost since, learning as I go. I just bought an IPAD PRO and am learning how to use this as well. I just downloaded via ITunes a couple manuals that I am going to read and even am requesting "El Capitan for Dummies" from the library to read.

What is the best way to back up files? Do I need to get an external hard drive? If so, which one should I get? I recently signed up for the $0.99 a month ICLOUD and was thinking this is a back up for my files (folders containing work etc) but am thinking this is not the case after much research?

Please advise! Thanks!

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Jun 20, 2016 5:08 AM

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Answer 1

mende1

Level 10

93,624 points

Jun 20, 2016 6:18 PM in response to vsp5924

For your iPad Pro, you can use iCloud to make backups -> How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

For your Mac, iCloud Drive lets you store all the files you want on iCloud apart from your device storage, so that you can access your files from every device. However, you cannot make a backup of your Mac on iCloud (it would take a lot of time and storage), so in this case you need to get an external drive. The easiest way to make backups of your files is with Time Machine, included in OS X -> Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac - Apple Support

Time Machine makes automatic backups of everything on your OS X partition, so you will not have to worry about making manual backups. There are also other third-party apps and services to make backups too.

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Answer 2

vsp5924 Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 20, 2016 6:19 PM in response to mende1

Can you recommend a good external hard drive, etc?

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Answer 3

leroydouglas

Level 10

200,920 points

Jun 20, 2016 6:21 PM in response to vsp5924

vsp5924 wrote:

Can you recommend a good external hard drive, etc?

How to create a boot clone

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Answer 4

FoxFifth

Level 10

475,467 points

Jun 21, 2016 6:10 AM in response to vsp5924

You may also want to consider the possibility of fire or theft causing loss of both the Mac and the external hard drive. Options include a second external hard drive, one of which is rotated offsite, or a 3rd party backup service such as https://mozy.com/#slide-9

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