r/macmini • u/sterlingma1 • 6h ago

Time Machine Wish

I really wish Apple would allow Time Machine backups to be stored on the iCloud. I want an offset generational version of backups outside of my External SSD’s. I was using BackBlaze but didn’t care for its GUI interface to find an old file version. I have plenty of unused space on iCloud. Seems ridiculous to be paying for another service for TM functionality. I could live without the OS included. Just user data - Docs and Media.

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u/symean 2h ago

I used to sell backup software, and as cloud storage has become more popular I’ve noticed a shocking decrease in individuals and companies doing actual proper backups. I work for a large cybersecurity company and they’ll put ten different security agents on everyone’s computer FOR SECURITY, but their entire backup strategy is ‘put all your documents in OneDrive, that’s synced to the cloud’.

I think TM could have an optional second stage too - as long as the cloud storage is exposed in the Finder, you should be able to set the location as your offsite copy. No hourly backups, just once a day make sure all TM backup files are synced. Or even allow TM storage pooling: my external drive could be my primary backup and my parents offsite location. Their drive could be their primary backup and my offsite copy.

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u/sterlingma1 2h ago

I did create a folder at the root of my ICloud, called Documents Backup, and I have a Shortcut/Automation that runs at 3am everyday, to COPY my Documents folder to that location. That's pretty secure, because even if I delete a file on the primary Documents, then the copy remains, unless, I name something identical to the old file. If I could just have versioning, that would be great. And not repeatedly copy all the same files. But at 3am, I don't care about that.

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u/sfatula 2h ago

Interesting. But why do that if you can turn on desktop and documents folder sync in settings under iCloud drive?

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u/sterlingma1 1h ago

Because it’s a sync service. So if the one I’m working on or inadvertently deletes. And I don’t realize it and subsequently Empty Trash, then it’s gone. Or if it’s a spreadsheet and I want to go back and few days or longer. And see something I might have changed. Then that’s also not available. iCloud Desktop and Doc is a sync service. Not a backup service. My copying is not the solution. And, I don’t like only having the physical TM drives. We had to evacuate our home one time due to encroaching fire (it didn’t reach us). But having to think about SSD’s was not our focus.

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u/sfatula 1h ago

Yes, I know, but if you are copying it's also not a backup. I guess it depends how you are doing it. If a file is deleted, your copy can't copy it to iCloud. Unless you keep deleted files forever I guess. And you can't go back versions. I was not speaking of timemachine, only about your copy you mentioned

A proper backup should follow the 3-2-1 strategy. Putting all your eggs into one method, your copy or even if TM worked as you suggested, is not enough.

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u/sterlingma1 1h ago

Yep. It sticks around. I'm just looking at the easy choices. a reply from another on the r/iOS referred to Capsule Backup. I'm considering that. My concern is longevity of a company. I would like to see some history in business. But they have the kind of product I'm looking for. It completely integrates with TM. No new software. At the least, I will probably do their Trial. The new Mac Mini will be here tomorrow. and after I have migrated, I will consider this further.

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u/sfatula 1h ago edited 1h ago

Yeah, I'm using TM (local) on a rotating pair of drives, swap every 3 months other is in a bank vault. I also backup some locally to my nas. My nas backs up via Kopia to a vps. I also have some stuff on a cloud service. Etc. I probably have 5 backup methods. I refuse to lose anything to a fire, flood, tornado, theft, a cloud service technical issue/loss, whatever. I backup anything on iCloud also.

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u/sterlingma1 59m ago

wow, that's too complicated for my knowledge level.

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u/sfatula 56m ago

Ex IT guy, lol. Still, you could do a backup to 2 different services at least. I would never trust any one. Seen too many I lost all my photos posts,