While the BeeFiles for Desktop app can act as a backup. Unlike BeeFiles, a Time Machine backup will allow us to restore a computer back to a previous state. Something that can be very useful if you need to transfer to a new computer. So because we have now configured our Synology BeeStation to act as a file server, we can use it to backup any Apple Macintosh computers we have.
Note: In order to use your Synology BeeStation as a backup point for your computer. You will need to have enabled both a Local Account and SMB service on your BeeStation. Which in turn will create a Time Machine network share. For more information please see our BeeStation video on SMB network shares.
- From the macOS desktop locate and open System Settings.
- Now Search for and open the Time Machine panel.
- Select Add Backup Disk.
- As you will be changing systems settings you may be asked to provide administrative credentials to for your computer.
- After entering your computers admin credentials, you will see a list of Time Machine backup points.
- Highlight your BeeStation and click on Set up Disk…
- You will be asked to confirm that you wish to connect to your BeeStation. Choose Connect.
- You now need to enter the Local Account credentials that you previously setup on your BeeStation.
- After clicking Connect, you will be presented with the settings panel for your backup.
Note: We recommend that you encrypt your backup and limit its Disk Usage. Disk Usage typically is double the size of your computers hard drive. However, we often use a smaller size. For example if our computer has a 512GB HD drive (and the drive is only half full), we would make Time Machines Disk Usage 720GB.
- When you have configured your Time Machine settings, click Done.
- Time Machine will now make its first backup.
Note: The first Time Machine backup will always take the longest. However subsequent backups will be a lot quicker to complete.
- Using the Time Machine icon in the menu bar. Select Browse Time Machine Backups.
- A series of Finder panels will appear, representing the previous backup point that Time Machine has made.
- You can now navigate to a previous backup, and using Finder locate the file or folder you wish to restore.
- Highlight that file or folder.
- Click on the Restore button.
Note: While Time Machine will backup your computer. The backup should not be considered as a way to archive files like Photographs and videos. This is because Time Machine uses a system which deletes very old files from its backup to save storage space. So we recommend that you exclude the Music and Movies for your Time Machine backup. Then instead setup a backup with the BeeFiles for Desktop app to backup the pictures and video folders on your computer.
- Using the Time Machine icon in the menu bar. Select Open Time Machine Settings.
- Click on Options.
- In the panel that opens is a section called Exclude from Backup.
- Click the Plus (+) icon in the grey bar.
- When prompted, enter the administrators credentials for your computer.
- Using the Finder panel that opens, locate and highlight the folder or file you wish to exclude.
- Click on the Exclude button.
- mydoodads article – Synology BeeStation | SMB network shares.
- mydoodads article – Use Time Machine to restore an Apple Silicon Mac back to a previous state.
- mydoodads article – Using Time Machine to restore an Intel Mac back to a previous state.
- Apple article – Backup your Mac with Time Machine.
- Apple article – Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac.
- Apple article – User macOS Recover on a Mac with Apple Silicon.
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