Is there still a Need to Backup Your Apple’s Mac Data?
Many of my clients are still asking me is there still a need to to have a back-up of their computer’s data, as they are now connected to Apple’s iCloud service?
I have to tell them YES, as Apple’s iCloud service does not back-up everything on their Mac (iMac/Pro, MacBook/Air/Pro or Mac Pro models, iPhones and iPads back to iCloud in a different way via a WiFi connection) that you will require to recover your current data set to a new or replacement Apple computer. When they present me with their current Apple device that is either not working, not starting or have lost crucial files?
Then when I asked if they have been backing-up their computer’s data at any time recently, they invariably answer ‘No’ or ‘What’s do you mean?’ If they are coming to me for work for the first time. This answer makes my next reply very difficult – to even start thinking about recovering the files they require, they will have had to have made a copy of the original files on their computer
The Apple Computer company, are very good at making and selling you a very good computer product and in their defence they do incorporate a built-in backup software within the current operating systems since 2005. I have advised my customers since the introduction of the MacOS (Leopard) 10.5, that it is essential for them to be making full use of Apple’s built-in back-up software, as for “Everyday you leave your computer system unbacked-up, it will take at least a day to redo the un-saved computer work”. By using Apple’s own back-up
software is and excellent way to protect their data on a simple to obtain external USB connected drive. Also Apple Computers are not in the business of doing data recovery which I have frequently found out in the past – they are in the business of selling you new computer equipment (like many other computer companies I have to say), hence their lack of interest in helping you recover your Business or even Personal data. They rely on the user doing their own backups to either an external drive or via an internet based service, or preferably BOTH!
Another benefit of using Time Machine software meaning you get more than just a snap-shot of your current data files contained on your computer, but a lot of the files you may have thought were removed or deleted in the past which were backed-up in previous backup sessions. Enabling you or your system professional to recover individual files or go as far as recovering a complete computer, with little or minimal interruption.
Many new customers tell me the story that they have taken their broken Apple computer for repair at an AppleStore and they get the response from the consultant serving them that Apple can only replace their drive and not repair/ recover the files from their internal drive or they may go as far as suggesting the customer should buy a brand new computer! Where as if they use a company like xMac, it is possible to recover files from the failed drive and return their Apple computer to working order!
It is therefore essential in the current climate that you make use of the inbuilt ‘Time Machine’ backup software on your computer as well as any online storage system like ‘iCloud’, or something similar or a more comprehensive backup service to allow you to recover the important files to you including Photos, Music and personal files within your own computer system.
