Macbook backup: after I do a photo shoot I transfer my pics from my SD card to an external hard drive via lightroom classic. Just wondering what software (preferably free) any fellow...

brian43053 Loc: Buffalo, NY

after I do a photo shoot I transfer my pics from my SD card to an external hard drive via lightroom classic. Just wondering what software (preferably free) any fellow hoggers are using to backup their external hard drive and if the software will only add new files when backing up after the initial time.

cyclespeed Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada

Get the best for Mac, Time Machine. I have been using it for more than a decade as have members of my family. Does as you requested only backing up changes, warns when nearing 90% capacity and very easy method to restore to a replaced HD should the worst happen. So far we have saved a dissertation near completion, over 12 000 irreplaceable photos, work projects and messages from people who have passed on. Best part, it is FREE!
Start maybe by looking in your utility folder where you will discover the airport utility.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

brian43053 wrote:

after I do a photo shoot I transfer my pics from my SD card to an external hard drive via lightroom classic. Just wondering what software (preferably free) any fellow hoggers are using to backup their external hard drive and if the software will only add new files when backing up after the initial time.

SyncBackFree is excellent. I have seven folders that I backup regularly. I just click on either External Drive or NAS, and it runs through all seven folders. There are lots of free backup programs, but SyncBackFree works fine. I eventually paid for SyncBack SE - not quite sure why I did that.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

brian43053 wrote:

after I do a photo shoot I transfer my pics from my SD card to an external hard drive via lightroom classic. Just wondering what software (preferably free) any fellow hoggers are using to backup their external hard drive and if the software will only add new files when backing up after the initial time.

As was said, TIME MACHINE backup, free with OS X, you already have it, just use it, it is pretty much automatic.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

GoodSync is also good for keeping a clean backup system. There is both a free and paid version with some extra features.

Synchronization software is a little different the backup software. Generally backup software will make an entire copy. Sync software looks at the differences between drives and makes the additional drive the same as the source writing only changes including deletions. Deletions may be delayed to help avoid operator mistakes.

https://www.goodsync.com/

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

jerryc41 wrote:

SyncBackFree is excellent. I have seven folders that I backup regularly. I just click on either External Drive or NAS, and it runs through all seven folders. There are lots of free backup programs, but SyncBackFree works fine. I eventually paid for SyncBack SE - not quite sure why I did that.

Isn't SyncBack a Windows program?

fotobyferg

Carbonite, but it’s not free.

Stan Gould Loc: La Crosse, Wisconsin

fotobyferg wrote:

Backup Mac question.

In addition to backups you should look into cloning your hard drive. A clone is a duplicate on an external drive. If your Mac’s hard drive crashes you can use the clone to reboot. Much easier than rebuilding your HD: installing system files, third-party apps and backed up files. Carbon Copy Cloner works well.

jtwind

chronosync

spraguead Loc: Boston, MA

I backup the macbook with Time Machine to an external drive.
I put all my media and job files on an external RAID system, that I backup to another external drive using "Synchronize X" There are probably cheaper options, but this works for me.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Do you want it for free, or do you want it to do a good job? Best of luck.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

brian43053 wrote:

after I do a photo shoot I transfer my pics from my SD card to an external hard drive via lightroom classic. Just wondering what software (preferably free) any fellow hoggers are using to backup their external hard drive and if the software will only add new files when backing up after the initial time.

I have used Acronis for backup for 15+ years. Great tech support, reliability and a multitude of options. I backup three internal drives to 4 externals and always do redundant backup. https://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/computer-backup/

There are a variety of sources for backup. Adding only new files is called an incremental backup scheme.
Mark

JohnR Loc: The Gates of Hell

cyclespeed wrote:

Get the best for Mac, Time Machine. I have been us... (show quote)

From my reading the guy wants to backup an external drive - not his Macs HDD (or SSD). Time Machine does not backup external drives, it backs up TO an external drive

barryb Loc: Kansas

John, you could have fooled my Mac, because it backs up every external drive you choose, except the time machine partition.

cyclespeed Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada

Read this regarding Time Machine. It is the best for any Mac
1. free
2. will completely restore your HD should yours fail.
3. As long as you have sufficient space in your designated back up HD you can back up multiple drives.
4. As you read you get full Mac support if you need help using it.
5. yes it comes with all Macs thus free. No download required.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250