If you used Time Machine to create a backup of your Mac, you can restore your files from that backup. You might want to do so after the original files are deleted from your Mac, or the hard disk (or SSD) in your Mac is erased or replaced, such as during a repair.
- Manual Mac Backup Without Time Machine Computer
- Mac Time Machine Backup Now
- Format For Time Machine Backup
- Macbook Time Machine Backup
Restore from a Time Machine backup
When you restore from a Time Machine backup, you can choose to restore all your files, or restore both the Mac operating system (macOS) and all your files.
Restore all your files
- Make sure that your Time Machine backup disk is connected and turned on, then turn on your Mac.
- If your Mac starts up to a setup assistant that asks for details like your country, keyboard, and network, continue to step 2.
- If your Mac starts up to the Finder, open Migration Assistant, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder. Click Continue in the first Migration Assistant window, then continue to step 2.
- If your Mac doesn't start up all the way, or you also want to restore the macOS you were using when you created the backup, follow the steps to restore both macOS and your files.
- When you're asked how you want to transfer your information, select the option to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk. Then click Continue.
- Select your Time Machine backup, then click Continue.
- If you're asked to choose from a list of backups organized by date and time, choose a backup and click Continue.
- Select the information to transfer, then click Continue to start the transfer. This screen might look different on your Mac:
- If you have a lot of content, the transfer might take several hours to finish. When the transfer is complete, restart your Mac and log in to the migrated account to see its files.
Restore both macOS and your files
Dec 02, 2012 Question: Q: How to Backup your Hard Drive without Time Machine. I want to know how to backup my hard drive completely without Time Machine as soon as possible. Also, there are many other backup utilities available for the Mac, because people have been backing up long before Time Machine existed. Feb 15, 2019 If you used Time Machine to create a backup of your Mac, you can restore your files from that backup.You might want to do so after the original files are deleted from your Mac, or the hard disk (or SSD) in your Mac is erased or replaced, such as during a repair.
These steps erase your hard disk, then use your backup to restore both your files and the specific version of macOS you were using when you created the backup.
- Make sure that your Time Machine backup disk is connected and turned on.
- Turn on your Mac, then immediately press and hold Command (⌘)-R to start up from macOS Recovery.
- When you see the macOS Utilities window, choose the option to restore from a Time Machine Backup.
- Click Continue, then click Continue again on the next screen.
- Select your Time Machine backup disk as the restore source, then click Continue.
If your backup disk is encrypted, you're asked to unlock the disk. Enter the administrator password you used when setting up Time Machine, then click Continue. - Select a backup, then click Continue.
- Select the hard disk in your Mac (or other destination disk) that will receive the contents of your backup, then click Restore or Continue.
If your Mac has FileVault turned on, you're asked to unlock the disk. Enter the administrator password for your Mac, then click Restore. - When done, restart your Mac.
Restore specific files
Learn how to use Time Machine to restore specific files, including older versions of your files.
Learn more
- What to do if you can't restore with Time Machine (if you need help, contact Apple Support)
Time Machine is the built-in backup solution in macOS, automatically making backups of your Mac onto an external drive. It's easy to set up, and after that, you don't even need to worry about it. But if you want to customize your experience to fit more particular needs or use cases, you absolutely can.
What is Time Machine?
Time Machine is Apple's built-in solution for backing up macOS. You can connect an external hard drive over USB or Thunderbolt (or FireWire, for older Macs) for a wired connection, or over a network for a wireless connection. Time Machine backs up every hour, deleting older backups as the backup drive starts running out of space.
It's a great first layer to any backup solution, and it's included right in the operating system.
Getting started with Time Machine
First, the basics. Get Time Machine set up, then learn about how you can choose what's backed up, how to restore from Time Machine, how to encrypt backups, and more.
Digging in to Time Machine
So you've got everything set up and you know the basics of Time Machine. But there are some advanced steps that you should know about.
Manual Mac Backup Without Time Machine Computer
Best drives for Time Machine
If you want to use Time Machine, you'll need an external drive to get started. Here's our favorite, along with a few alternative options.
Ideal for most users
G-Technology G-Drive 1TB
Durable, colorful accessory
USB-C ready plus USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 3 compatible, this stylish drive from G-Technology is lightweight and Mac ready.
Also available in 2TB and 4TB models, G-Technology's G-Drive is one of the easiest drives to use for backup. Just plug it in and you're halfway there! It's available in silver, space gray, and rose gold.
Other options
The following hard drives are also among our favorites for 2019.
If you need something more portable, or something with a little more style, check out these options.
SanDisk Extreme Portable External 250B, 500GB, 1TB, 2GB(From $73 at Amazon)
This product proves that even hard drives can be beautiful.
LaCie Porsche Design 1TB, 2TB, 4TB(From $90 at Amazon)
LaCie is well known for its backup devices and this is one of the most popular models on the market.
Any other questions?
If you have any additional questions about getting started with or using Time Machine, let us know in the comments.
macOS
Mac Time Machine Backup Now
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Format For Time Machine Backup
Macbook Time Machine Backup
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