How to Backup Time Machine to Non-Native Drives and Network Attached Storage

If you’re an advanced Mac user, you might want to back up your Mac to a non-original drive, including networked storage devices, network volumes, or even a Windows computer. This guide will show you how to enable a hidden feature in Time Machine using the OS X command line.

However, please note that this feature is not supported by Mac OS X and Time Machine, and backing up your data using this method can be risky. Proceed with caution and at your own risk.

How to Install Network Drive Support on Time Machine for OS X

To get support for a non-original drive, start the terminal and type the following command:

sudo defaults write com.apple.systempreferences TMShowUnsupportedNetworkVolumes 1

You can now use non-native NAS disks with Time Machine installation. Keep in mind that this feature isn’t supported on Time Machine, so it’s not enabled by default, so relying on backup may not be the best idea. Apple probably decided to keep it without support for several reasons, but keep in mind that with network traffic, especially wireless networks, there is always the potential for packet loss. Losing packets during a backup can result in corrupted or missing data, so if you plan to use this feature, you may want to stay on a wired Ethernet network to reduce the chance of transmission loss.

time-machine backupI tried this briefly and got a “Time Machine backup delayed” message that forced a manual backup to resolve the error. My strong recommendation is that you only back up your Time Machine to a dedicated backup drive that is physically connected to your Mac, this is without a doubt the most reliable way. Nevertheless, if you’re in a pinch, it’s nice to know that you can bend the rules if the situation calls for it.

To disable the Time Machine online storage feature, you can do so with the following default command:

sudo defaults write com.apple.systempreferences TMShowUnsupportedNetworkVolumes 0

Benefits of Using This Guide

  • This guide is free to read and helps many internet users follow up with interest conveniently.
  • If you’re an advanced Mac user, you can easily back up your Time Machine to non-original drives or network attached storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this guide about?

This guide is about backing up Time Machine to non-native drives and network attached storage.

How can this guide help me?

This guide can help advanced Mac users to back up to non-original drives or network attached storage.

What devices are supported in this guide?

This guide is only supported by Apple devices.

What operating systems are supported in this guide?

This guide is supported by macOS or iOS operating systems.

Final Thoughts

If you have any queries regarding backing up Time Machine to non-native drives or network attached storage, you can always contact us. However, please remember that this guide is for educational purposes only, and backing up your data using this method is done at your own risk. If you need further assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to us.

James Hogan
James Hogan
James Hogan is a notable content writer recognized for his contributions to Bollyinside, where he excels in crafting informative comparison-based articles on topics like laptops, phones, and software. When he's not writing, James enjoys immersing himself in football matches and exploring the digital realm. His curiosity about the ever-evolving tech landscape drives his continuous quest for knowledge, ensuring his content remains fresh and relevant.

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