By Dan Moren

April 27, 2018 11:22 AM PT

Last updated July 2, 2021

Quick Tip: Make Time Machine backups over a network in High Sierra

Note: This story has not been updated since 2021.

As Jason mentioned in his AirPort alternatives piece, one of the features you might need to replace when your AirPort goes kaput is the ability to make Time Machine backups over the network.

Before you run out and buy an NAS, though, you might also consider backing up to a drive connected to your Mac. One option is to do what I’ve done and use Time Machine Server via macOS Server and an external USB drive to your Mac (or even use the built-in storage, if you have the room).

However, if you’re running High Sierra (or, presumably, whatever version follows that), this feature is now built into macOS itself. Here’s a walkthrough from Kirk McElhearn about how to enable that feature.

[Dan Moren is the East Coast Bureau Chief of Six Colors. You can find him on Mastodon at @dmoren@zeppelin.flights or reach him by email at dan@sixcolors.com. His latest novel, the supernatural detective story All Souls Lost, is out now.]

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