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Table of Contents
What Does Time Machine Back Up?
How Time Machine Works Behind the Scenes
Setting It Up and Keeping It Running Smoothly
Home Operation and Maintenance Mac OS How does Time Machine work and what does it back up?

How does Time Machine work and what does it back up?

Jul 15, 2025 am 02:16 AM

Time Machine is a built-in backup tool for macOS, which automatically saves almost all files, applications, system settings and the entire operating system. Its backup content includes: 1. Personal files (document, desktop, download, etc.); 2. Installed applications; 3. System settings (network configuration, user accounts, preferences); 4. Photos and media libraries; 5. Email and information records; 6. Developer files and server data. It enables efficient storage with incremental backups, saving only changes after the first backup, and retaining hourly, daily and weekly versions. When using it, it is recommended to connect an external hard drive or network storage device, formatted as APFS or Mac OS Extended, and connect regularly to keep it updated while excluding large volumes of non-essential files. However, it should be noted that Time Machine is not anti-virus or theft, and should be equipped with cloud backup or off-site storage of multiple devices to ensure comprehensive security.

Time Machine is macOS's built-in backup solution, and it works pretty seamlessly once you set it up. It automatically saves copies of your files, apps, system settings, and even your entire operating system — so if something goes wrong or you need to go back to an earlier version of a file, you can restore it easily.

What Does Time Machine Back Up?

Time Machine captures almost everything on your Mac. That includes your documents, photos, music, apps, emails, system files, user accounts, preferences, and even settings you didn't know were saved. The main exceptions are things like temporary files, items in the Trash, and some cache files that don't need backing up.

Here's what gets included:

  • Personal files (Documents, Desktop, Downloads, etc.)
  • Installed applications
  • System settings (network configs, user accounts, preferences)
  • Photos and media libraries
  • Mail messages and messages history
  • Developer files and server data (like local web servers)

It also keeps hourly backups for the past 24 hours, daily backups for the past month, and weekly backups before that — all while managing space automatically.

How Time Machine Works Behind the Scenes

Time Machine uses a method called “incremental backups,” which means after the initial full backup, it only saves what has changed since the last backup. This makes each subsequent backup fast and efficient.

Here's how it works step by step:

  • When you first connect a formatted Time Machine drive, it copies everything.
  • After that, it checks every hour for changes.
  • If changes are found, it backs up just the modified files.
  • Older backups get pruned when the drive runs out of space, keeping the most recent versions.

The magic behind this process is a technology called hard links , which lets Time Machine show you full snapshots of your system at different times without duplicating all the files every time.

Setting It Up and Keeping It Running Smoothly

Setting up Time Machine is straightforward, but there are a few best practices to make sure it keeps working well:

  • Use an external drive or network storage (like a Time Capsule or supported NAS).
  • Format the drive as APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled) — Time Machine prefers these formats.
  • Connect the drive regularly — ideally daily or whenever possible.
  • Exclude large, unecessary folders if you're short on space (found under Time Machine > Options).

One thing people often forget: Time Machine isn't meant to be your only backup. It's great for rolling back individual files or recovering from accidental deletions, but it doesn't protect against malware or physical theft. For full peace of mind, pair it with a cloud backup or second physical drive stored offsite.


That's basically how Time Machine works and what it covers. It's simple to use but powerful under the hood — and definitely worth setting up if you haven't already.

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