TimeMachine backups to an external drive or network storage can be encrypted.
This adds more data protection.
IMPORTANT:
Encrypted TimeMachine backups cannot be recovered if the password is forgotten or unknown.
Need more help?
Apple Article: About the TimeMachine backup password on Mac
Important Information
Supported Operating Systems
TimeMachine Encryption is supported on macOS versions:
- macOS 14 Sonoma
- macOS 13 Ventura
- macOS 12 Monterey
- macOS 10.14 Mojave
- macOS 10.13 High Sierra
- macOS 10.12 Sierra
- OS X 10.11 El Capitan
- OS X 10.10 Yosemite
- OS X 10.9 Mavericks
- OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
- Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
External Drive
- Existing backups on an external drive are not deleted.
The are saved when switching from Unencrypted to Encrypted backups. - An encrypted backup will take up to 24 hours or longer to complete.
Network Attached Storage
- Apple File Protocol (AFP) is not supported on My Cloud OS 5 firmware 5.19.197 and higher.
- Existing ackups stored on Network Shares WILL BE DELETED when switching from Unencrypted to Encrypted backups.
- Connect macOS to the network with an Ethernet cable for the first backup.
- An encrypted backup will take up to 24 hours or longer to complete.
Need more help?
Backup to an External Drive
- Click the Apple icon.
- Click System Preferences.
- Click TimeMachine.
- Click Add or Remove Backup Disk...
- Scroll Down to Available Disk.
Click the WD External drive.
Check Encrypt backups.
Click Use Disk.
- Enter a backup password.
Enter the password again in the Verify password box.
Enter a Password hint.
IMPORTANT:Encrypted backups cannot be recovered if the password is forgotten or unknown.
Need more help?
Apple Article: About the TimeMachine backup password on Mac
- Click Encrypt Disk
The TimeMachine Window will display an progress bar that will take up to 24 hours or more to complete.
Backup to a Network Attached Storage Share
IMPORTANT:Existing TimeMachine Backups stored on Network Shares WILL BE DELETED when switching between Unencrypted to Encrypted backups.
- Click the Apple icon.
- Click System Preferences.
- Click TimeMachine.
- Click Add or Remove Backup Disk.
- Scroll Down to Available Disk.
Click the WD Network Attached Storage Device.
Check Encrypt Disk.
Click Use Disk.
- Select Guest.
Click Connect.
- The following message may appear if an unecrypted backup already exists on the device.
Click Erase Existing Backup.
Critical:
The process is Data Destructive and cannot be undone.
ALL THE DATA ON THE DRIVE WILL BE LOST!
- Enter a Backup Password.
Enter the password again in the Verify password box.
IMPORTANT:Encrypted TimeMachine backups cannot be recovered if the password is forgotten or unknown.
Need more help?
Apple Article: About the TimeMachine backup password on Mac
- Click Encrypt Disk.
The TimeMachine Window will display an progress bar that will take up to 24 hours or more to complete.
