Why do you need cloud backup on Mac?
Nowadays, the internet gives us a great number of opportunities. The one of the most convenient ones is cloud backup due to several reasons. At first, it’s a widely known problem, that the hard drives of Mac devices are characterized by low memory space. So it often becomes difficult to keep all important data and media files. Moreover, sometimes your device or hard drive may become damaged, or even stolen. All these threats can be mitigated with the help of cloud backup. That’s why we’ve written this article about the best cloud backup for Mac OS. Check it right now!
Article’s Guide
Best Cloud Backup for Mac: Backblaze With an easy to use interface, competitive pricing and unlimited storage, Backblaze isn’t just the best Mac backup; it’s earned first place among all our. How to back up your Mac with Time Machine. We have a step-by-step guide to backing up with Time Machine here, but essentially you just need to do the following. Plug in hard drive or SSD.
Backblaze cloud backup for Mac OS
Backblaze is the one of the best cloud backups for Mac OS represented on the market. This service gives you a truly unlimited storage space, just imagine! Moreover, Backblaze is the one of the most Mac OS integrated programs, so it’s easy to go. Just download the program and it will do the rest. Try Backblaze now for free!
- Mar 06, 2020 Mac Backup Guru helps you create an exact, bootable clone of your Mac's disk onto an external hard drive. The great thing about Mac Backup Guru is that it can even take older, partial backups and sync them up with what you have now to create a clone faster than starting from scratch.
- Apple's Time Machine is the go-to backup method for many Mac users. Apple's termination of the AirPort/Time Capsule series, however, puts some users in a lurch over how they will be continuing to back up their Macs using Time Machine.
- Note: When you backup files to your local drive, IDrive creates a unique folder with your Mac name to backup data. You can change the default backup location by clicking. You can even schedule your backups for a later time.
Backblaze is also integrated into Mac OS more than most other backup providers. Rather than providing a separate app to adjust settings, Backblaze can be configured directly from within “system preferences,” the control center where you fine-tune all other settings, as well.
However, if you demand the highest security for your backups, Backblaze also offers zero-knowledge security. You can set a private encryption key so that only you can ever decrypt your data. This will make it impossible for Backblaze to recover your password should you ever forget it though, so do this with caution. You can try all these features of Backblaze cloud backup for Mac OS right now for free!
IDrive cloud backup for Mac OS
IDrive isn’t quite as user-friendly as Backblaze, but still offers a very solid service. Because IDrive has limited storage, it does require that you manually choose which folders to backup on setup. IDrive is a powerful service that fills in for rare cases when Backblaze isn’t quite the right fit. With competitive pricing, high data caps and unlimited devices, IDrive might be the best choice if you have too many computers to use with Backblaze.
IDrive comes with an incredibly rich set of functionality when it comes to its core purpose of backing up your devices to the cloud. Data can be backed up either as individual files or folders, or as a complete image of your hard drive. You can backup an unlimited number of desktop machines, mobile devices and servers locally, on the cloud or as a hybrid of both.
After your initial IDrive login, the client automatically includes a few folders for backup, including your “documents,” “music,” “videos,” “pictures,” and “desktop” folders. You can then choose to remove these and add other folders manually by clicking the “change…” button in the “backup” tab. If you want to perform a non-scheduled backup, you can simply click the “backup now” button in the same tab. However, you can try IDrive cloud backup for Mac OS by yourself right now!
CloudBerry cloud backup for Mac OS
CloudBerry is certainly an unusual backup service as it doesn’t actually offer any storage. It’s an alternative solution that comes in the form of a one-time payment for backup software and flexible subscriptions to a variety of separate storage providers.
You’ll have to manually set up a storage provider and the folders you want backed up as well as a long list of other configurable options. This will seem daunting to many users, but the ability to completely customize your backups (including streamlined hybrid backups) is exactly what others may want out of a cloud service.
Security with CloudBerry Backup is dependent on the storage provider you choose. CloudBerry offers encryption with private keys. If you take advantage of this, CloudBerry is extremely secure. This isn’t supported on all of the 65 plans that CloudBerry is compatible with though, so you’ll have to do further research when picking a plan. Try CloudBerry cloud backup for Mac OS right now!
How to backup files with iCloud?
Nowadays, Apple promotes iCloud service, as a backup tool. This backup software is rather simple to backup your data, however, if you face the fact, that you are out of memory, you’d better choose our recommended solution. Moreover, the process will be canceled, if you run out of memory. So, we cannot characterize this method as a reliable one.
- Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network.
- Go to Settings, tap on the name of your device, and then choose iCloud.
- Choose iCloud Backup.
- Choose the Back Up Now option. Stay connected to your Wi-Fi network until the process completes.
Remember, there is a chance, that there is no enough available space in iCloud for the backup. You’d better check it beforehand.
How to backup files without iTunes
This method is rather inconvenient and slow one, as it requires manipulations with your hard drives. Moreover, the process may become interrupted due to unforeseen reasons that’s why we don’t recommend you to use iTunes as a backup software. However, it can be suitable for you.
Manual solution for Mac OS
- Connect your iPhone/iPad Device To Your Mac/MacBook via lighting cable
- Launch Image Capture app
- Find your iPhone/iPad in the left bar and open it
- Choose all the photos on your iPhone/iPad and select destination for transfer
- Press Import
How to backup files using iTunes
This method is rather difficult to execute, however, it’s a reliable one.
- Connect your iPhone/iPad and Hard Drive to the computer
- Open Itunes app
- Click on the Device button
- In the opened window, choose your Photos
- Press Sync Photos, select folders you’d like to import and the destination folder
- Then press Apply and Done buttons
Note: if you’ve enabled iCloud photo synchronization, you will have to disable this function in the Settings
Final words: in this article we’ve mentioned all the best cloud backup for Mac OS represented on the market. However, this list can be updated or even changed, so you’d better check it once again. WE hope, that we’ve help you to make a decesion.
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By Vernon Roderick, Last updated: August 3, 2020
A lot of people constantly experience data loss. Considering how common this issue is, it’s only natural for you to stumble upon this problem as well.
However, you don’t have to be like everybody else. Instead of lying around waiting for disaster to strike, you can prepare yourself for it. What better way to prepare for data loss to create backups.
Below is a list of six free backup software for Mac that will help you come up with a plan on how you can counter data loss. Before that, there are some things you need to know first.
Part 1: Three Types of Free Backup Software for Mac
Although there are a lot of people that want to find the best free backup software for Mac, they are not knowledgeable of what backup software really is. There are generally three types of backup software. Here’s a look at their basic information:
- Cloud Storage. The one that can be considered the farthest from being a backup is cloud storage. As the name implies, it allows you to store your files on the cloud, and then get them out from another device. Simply put, you are storing files to secure them from data loss.
- Local Backup. A local backup, on the other hand, allows you to create a backup within the device that will be using that backup. That backup cannot be taken anywhere else.
- Bootable Backup. This is very similar to local backups. The only difference is that you can take this backup anywhere. It doesn’t necessarily have to be on the device where it came from.
Cloud Backup For Mac
Each of these types has its own strengths and weaknesses. In terms of security, cloud storage will be your best choice, since there is little to no chance of this from getting lost. A local backup has a higher risk of getting lost since it can only be stored on the device it came from. However, it is much easier to use when restoring files.
On the other hand, bootable backup has a lower risk but is more susceptible to encountering issues. Without further ado, let’s head to our first free backup software for Mac.
Part 2: Free Backup Software for Mac
#1 FoneDog Android Data Backup & Restore
The first entry is FoneDog Android Data Backup & Restore. As one might expect, it belongs to the bootable backup type. This is because it doesn’t create a local backup, though it can be used by all devices.
Android Data Backup & Restore is a product by the FoneDog group which specializes in creating backups from Android device.
Pros
Perhaps the greatest strength of the tool is its simplicity. The tool brings many benefits to its users. Here’s a look at the things that I liked the most:
- You will be guided throughout the backup and restore process.
- It is compatible with most devices including Mac, Windows PC, and more.
- You have full control over the contents of the backup and when and where you create it.
Cons
Perhaps it may already be too obvious, but the most inconvenient characteristic of this tool is the fact that it is exclusive to Android. As such, you can only create backups from Android devices.
iOS Data Backup and RestoreOne click to backup the whole iOS device to your computer.Allow to preview and restore any item from the backup to a device.Export what you want from the backup to your computer.No data loss on devices during the restore.iPhone Restore Won't Overwrite Your Data
#2 Time Machine
Time Machine is a built-in backup function of macOS Leopard or later. It’s very easy to use since there are guides about it across the internet. The steps are also very simple.
However, the main reason why it is one of the best free backup software for Mac is the fact that it was developed by Apple itself.
Pros
There are several things to like about Time Machine. Here’s a list of the features that you might find to be very helpful:
- You can preview the changes that will be made after a backup is used
- You can sync the software to one of Apple’s product, Apple Time Capsule
- It is specially built for macOS, making it the best backup tool for Mac
Cons
Since it is only a function of Apple, it’s only natural to spot some disadvantages when using the Time Machine feature:
- The creation of backups is automatic and you may not be notified in some cases
- You have no control over when the backups will be created
- Data from old backups will be overwritten by data from new backups
- You need an external drive
Backup For Mac
Overall, considering how it is a built-in function, there’s no wonder why there are some disadvantages. However, it can still prove to be one of the best free backup software for Macwhen used properly.
#3 iCloud
How do I backup my Mac software? Our very first entry that belongs to the cloud storage category is iCloud. As the name implies, it is a cloud storage service offered by Apple Inc.
While it may be considered cloud storage, it is often used as a backup tool by many experts, which is the reason why it got here in the first place.
Pros
Personally, iCloud is the best free backup software for Macthat belongs to the cloud storage category, and there are many reasons as to why:
- You can instantly migrate from one device to another, as long as you have internet
- There are some features such as Find My iPhone and Find My Friend that can help you with other tasks
- It is a built-in function on most Apple devices including Mac
Cons
The only thing that might bother you when using iCloud is that you are required to have the internet. Without it, you won’t even be able to use this feature.
Nevertheless, as long as you have the requirements, you’ll see why it is one of the best free backup software for Mac.
#4 iDrive
What is the best backup software for Mac?iDrive is similar to iCloud. It is also cloud storage that is available to Mac users. This time, however, it is also available on PC, though that might not be very helpful if you only have Mac.
Either way, it offers free storage space as well as a bigger storage space with a premium subscription. It’s pretty much the same as iCloud, so you can think of it as alternative free backup software for Mac.
Pros
Although it is highly similar to iCloud, there are some features that set it apart from others. The following are some examples of those features:
- The pricing for every gigabyte is cheaper than iCloud
- While the storage space for backups is limited, there is no limit to how many files you can restore
Cons
Of course, since iCloud has some cons, there will also be something that might bother you with iDrive:
- There are tons of ads with the free version
- The only paid plans are yearly
Overall, you can think of iDrive as a cheaper, though not necessarily inferior, version of iCloud which can still be considered a good free backup software for Mac.
#5 SuperDuper
SuperDuper is an application that was specially designed to created backups. It is a product by Shirt Pocket and is an alternative to Time Machine. There are some features that are not in Time Machine, but there are also features that are lacking.
Pros
It may not be as popular as our previous entries, but you’ll find why it is one of the best free backup software for Mac:
- You can choose to create partial or full backups
- You can create bootable clones of your hard drive as well as local backups for individual files
- The paid version is very superior to the free version, making it a bargain
Cons
Of course, it didn’t become very popular for a reason. Below are some of the following drawbacks of using SuperDuper:
- You cannot select files or folders to include on the backup
- The creation of backup as well as the restoration is comparatively slower than its competitors
- Most features are not available unless you pay for it
These are the disadvantages of SuperDuper, but these will be no more as long as you are able to pay for the premium version. Either way, you can use it as free backup software for Mac regardless of your situation.
#6 Get Backup
Our last entry is Get Backup from the BeLight Software group. As you might expect, the app has both a free version as well as a paid version.
It is available from the Mac App Store, so you don’t have to worry about its credibility. After all, an app needs to be legitimate to enter this store. Remember that the app from the official website and the one from the store might have some slight differences.
Pros
This app is your typical free backup software for Mac except for some features that distinguish it from other software:
- You can encrypt the backup data to increase the security
- You can customize the functions of the software, giving you full control over everything you need to do
- The paid version is much less expensive than most of its competitors
Cons
In contrast with the things that make the software great, you’ll find that it’s very bothersome to use Get Backup, especially if you are a beginner, and this is because of the following cons:
- There is no supporting website where you can get info about the software
- There’s no place where you can check the past activities of the tool
- You might miss out on some functions if you get the app from the App Store
Anyway, you can rest assured if you are knowledgeable of this type of tool. You won’t need help from the cloud support. Plus, you’ll know better than to get the app from the Store. In short, it’s a free backup software for Macworth trying out.
Part 3: Conclusion
There are a lot of unpredictable events on a computer, and one of them is data loss. Unfortunately, there’s no way of avoiding this phenomenon 100% of the time. There will always be a possibility, what you can do is have a contingency.
With these six free backup software for Mac, you should be able to live knowing that you won’t suffer as much as you will when you don’t have these tools.