How to Use Time Machine Backup on Mac

Time Machine is Apple's built-in backup tool that automatically saves copies of everything on your Mac — your files, photos, music, apps, and system settings. If you accidentally delete a file, your hard drive fails, or you need to set up a new Mac, Time Machine lets you restore everything exactly as it was.

To use Time Machine, you need an external hard drive or a network-attached storage (NAS) device. An external USB hard drive with at least twice the storage capacity of your Mac's internal drive is recommended. For example, if your Mac has 256 GB of storage, get an external drive with at least 512 GB. External drives designed for Mac backup are widely available and affordable.

To set up Time Machine, plug in your external hard drive. Your Mac may ask if you want to use the drive for Time Machine — click "Use as Backup Disk." If it does not ask, go to System Settings (click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then System Settings), click "General" in the sidebar, then click "Time Machine." Click the "+" button to add your external drive as a backup disk.

Once set up, Time Machine runs automatically in the background. It creates hourly backups for the past 24 hours, daily backups for the past month, and weekly backups for everything older. When the external drive gets full, Time Machine automatically deletes the oldest backups to make room for new ones.

To restore a deleted or changed file, open the folder where the file was located, then click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar and select "Browse Time Machine Backups." You will see a visual timeline on the right side of the screen. Use the arrows or timeline to go back in time. When you find the file you want, select it and click "Restore."

If you need to restore your entire Mac (for example, after replacing a hard drive or setting up a new Mac), restart your computer and hold down Command + R to enter Recovery Mode. From there, select "Restore from Time Machine Backup" and follow the on-screen instructions.

Keep your Time Machine drive connected whenever possible. If you use a desktop Mac, leave it plugged in all the time. If you use a MacBook, plug it in regularly — at least once a week — so Time Machine can run its backups.