How to backup imac to external hard drive

Please follow this procedure to set up a backup using Time Machine:

  1. If you have not done so already, set up your Seagate Central.

  2. Open System Preferences and then select Time Machine.

    How to backup imac to external hard drive


     

  3. Select the option Select Backup Disk.

  4. Select your Seagate Central, which will be TM BACKUP from the list of backup options. (Optional: You may check the Encrypt Backups box.)

  5. Once the drive is selected, click on Use Disk.

    How to backup imac to external hard drive


     

  6. If prompted, enter the name and password that correspond to the user’s account on the Seagate Central.

    Note: Your Mac will auto-populate the user name field with your computer's user name. This will need to be changed to the Central's user name, along with the corresponding password.

  1. For more information on Time Machine backups, such as restoring files or your entire system, refer to Apple Time Machine Support.

  2. If you have existing backups, choose the option that best suits you.

  3. If you chose to encrypt your backup in Step 5, choose a secure password and select Encrypt Disk.

    How to backup imac to external hard drive


     

  4. Your backup launches. Please allow at least a few hours for your first backup. Subsequent backups will be much quicker.

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How do you backup a Mac to an external hard drive without Time Machine?

How do I backup my Mac without a Time Machine?.
Launch Disk Drill on your Mac..
Select “Byte-to-byte Backup” from the left panel..
Choose the drive or partition you want to back up..
Click the “Create backup” button and select a target location where the data will be stored..
Allow the process to complete..

How do I backup my entire computer Mac?

Open System Settings, click General > Time Machine, then click Add Backup Disk. Select the drive you want to use for backup, and you're all set. Back up with iCloud. Files in iCloud Drive and photos in iCloud Photos are automatically stored in iCloud and don't need to be part of your Time Machine backup.

What is the easiest way to back up my Mac?

Option 1: Use Time Machine Apple includes its own backup software, Time Machine as part of the macOS. It's an exceptionally easy to use solution. All you need to do is plug in an external storage device, hard drive or SSD, and start backing up with Time Machine.

Does Time Machine backup everything on your Mac?

With Time Machine, you can back up files on your Mac that weren't part of the macOS installation, such as apps, music, photos, and documents. When Time Machine is turned on, it automatically backs up your Mac and performs hourly, daily, and weekly backups of your files.