SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aplus-mac-time-machine

Which built-in macOS feature automatically backs up your Mac to an external drive?

Time Machine makes hourly, daily and weekly backups.

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Why: When Time Machine is on, it backs up your files automatically and keeps hourly, daily and weekly backups. It needs a storage device set up as the backup disk.

Huh, didn't know that: Time Machine also saves local snapshots, created hourly and kept for up to 24 hours.

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References

Answer: Time Machine. When Time Machine is on, it backs up your files automatically and keeps hourly, daily and weekly backups. It needs a storage device set up as the backup disk.

  1. Back up your files with Time Machine, Apple Support support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/back-up-your-mac-with-time-machine-mh35860/mac
    When Time Machine is turned on, it automatically backs up your Mac
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. Back up your Mac with Time Machine, Apple Support support.apple.com/en-us/104984
    Use a storage device with at least twice the storage capacity of your Mac.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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