This article explains How to take Time Machine Backup and Restore from macOS to a WD External Drive.*END
macOS Time Machine works with External drives formatted as APFS.
- The drive will be formatted as APFS.
- Backups can be more secure with encryption.
- Time Machine will use the whole drive.
Multiple partitions are not supported.
Need more help?
- Apple article HT202784: Formatting a backup disk for use with Time Machine
- Answer ID 8200: Steps to Format a Drive for Use with Windows or macOS
How to Backup
Connect the drive to macOS and ensure it's formatted for Time Machine backups.
Critical: The process is Data Destructive and cannot be undone. |
- Enter Time Machine in the Spotlight search bar.
- Click Add Backup Disk...
- Click Set Up Disk...
- Encrypted Backup: Enter a New Password, Re-enter Password and Hint.
Non-Encrypted: Toggle the button.
Click Done.
IMPORTANT:Time Machine will automatically erase the drive and reformat it to APFS if the drive is formatted with something else.
- Right-click the backup job.
Click Back up to "My External Drive" now.
How to Restore
- Click Time Machine.
Click Browse Time Machine Backups.
- Select the date or time to restore from.
- Select the files and destination folders to restore.
Click Restore.
- Click Keep Original to restore and not replace existing files.
Click Keep Both to keep both files.
Click Replace to restore and replace existing files.
- Open the restore location to view the restored folders and files.
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