Here's how to automatically or manually back up your data, and then restore it on your Mac using Apple's Time Machine feature ...

Time Machine Time Machine is an Apple-built utility that comes preinstalled on macOS. It allows you to back up the data and personal files of your Mac onto an external drive.

Backing up your Mac is not just something you do when testing betas like macOS Tahoe; it is an everyday essential if you want to avoid risking losing irreplaceable work.

Drive issue If you’re plugging in a drive directly to your laptop or using a networked Time Machine backup, some users have found the battery alert appears when the Time Machine volume has a fault.

Video: Upgrade the M4 Mac mini from 256GB to 2TB Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more videos Backup your Mac Before you do anything, be sure to back up your Mac’s current SSD using Time Machine.

If you’re not using Time Machine, here are all the details on how to get started with the built-in backup system for macOS. And check our picks for the best hard drive for your Mac.