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Best way to backup a MacBook Pro

I have an iCloud account and I see that some things are backed up there, but not my "user" folder which is where I store all my project folders. Is there an optimal way to organize my files so that they'll automatically get backed up to iCloud? Should I move them all out of my user folder and onto my desktop?

MacBook Pro 15″, OS X 10.10

Posted on Oct 13, 2023 9:39 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 13, 2023 10:31 AM

Apple offers iCloud Backup for iPhones and iPads but not for Mac computers.


If you are syncing files with iCloud, if you move the folders to the iCloud Drive folder they will sync. Also, if you have the Desktop and Documents option of iCloud Drive turned on, then files in those folders will also sync.

You can access the iCloud Drive folder via the Finder sidebar or the Finder "Go" menu.


It is possible to sync data from a Mac to iCloud if you turn on those options (e.g., iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive including the Desktop & Documents option). Syncing has some of the benefits of a backup (and the benefit of being offsite) but is not the same as a backup. Major differences include the fact that not everything on your Mac can be synced and the fact that if you delete something, accidentally or otherwise, there is only a limited time period (30 days in most cases) during which it can be recovered.


Also see the Apple article: How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support


And more information on syncing in:

Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

and

Access and manage your files in iCloud Drive - Apple Support

and

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support



1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 13, 2023 10:31 AM in response to Vivian_G

Apple offers iCloud Backup for iPhones and iPads but not for Mac computers.


If you are syncing files with iCloud, if you move the folders to the iCloud Drive folder they will sync. Also, if you have the Desktop and Documents option of iCloud Drive turned on, then files in those folders will also sync.

You can access the iCloud Drive folder via the Finder sidebar or the Finder "Go" menu.


It is possible to sync data from a Mac to iCloud if you turn on those options (e.g., iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive including the Desktop & Documents option). Syncing has some of the benefits of a backup (and the benefit of being offsite) but is not the same as a backup. Major differences include the fact that not everything on your Mac can be synced and the fact that if you delete something, accidentally or otherwise, there is only a limited time period (30 days in most cases) during which it can be recovered.


Also see the Apple article: How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support


And more information on syncing in:

Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

and

Access and manage your files in iCloud Drive - Apple Support

and

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support



Best way to backup a MacBook Pro

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