How to Backup a Mac Without Using Time Machine

2025 Author: Samantha Chapman | chapman@sundulerparents.com. Last modified: 2025-01-24 13:28

If you want to backup your Mac without using Time Machine, keep reading this article.

Steps

Step 1. Buy an external hard drive, if you don't already have one that you can use

Now you can find them even for less than 100 euros.

Step 2. Connect it to the computer you want to backup

Step 3. Go to Finder

Step 4. Click Go> Applications

Step 5. Launch the Automator

Step 6. Click on "Service", then click on "Choose"

Step 7. Click on the drop-down menus to have the following combination

"Service" receives "no input" from "any application".

Step 8. Click on "Files & Folders"

Step 9. Drag "Get specified Finder items" into your workflow

Step 10. Click on "Add" and then select all folders from the root folder

Step 11. Drag "New Folder" under the previous action

Step 12. Click on "Variables" and choose "Date & Time"

Step 13. Click on the pill-shaped icons located at the bottom of the window

Step 14. Drag the variable that says "Current Date" to the blank area

Step 15. Double click on the variable you just added

Step 16. Choose "Customize format…" from the format menu

Step 17. Change the format to read "(January) - (5) - (1999)"

Step 18. Click on "January" and then on a number

Step 19. Click on "1999" and choose the two digits

Step 20. Click on "Finish"

Step 21. Drag the modified variable into the name field

Step 22. Click "More…" in the "Location" field

Step 23. Locate the hard drive and create or open the backup folder

Step 24. Click on "Run" to take a test

Step 25. Click on "File"> "Convert to…"

Step 26. Click on "Calendar Alert" and then "Choose"

Step 27. Open the "Calendar"

Step 28. Save both files as "Backup"

Step 29. Double-click the event that appears

Step 30. Click on "Edit"