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Can Dropbox be used as a backup with Time Machine?
Can dropbox be used for backup with time machine. How do I set it up?
- Its STRONGLY recommended that you dont - there are lots of threads on here about where it doesnt play well.
Its also worth remembering, and pointing out, that Dropbox isnt a back up tool. Its a syncing one and so you really shouldnt rely upon it as a back up one.
Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
Dropbox Community ModeratorHi hologroove, how are you today?
The best option we'd suggest of course would be to not backup the folder at all and simply reconnect and sync your data from the web as it's the safest way to go on about it.
However, in theory, this could indeed work. We would have to keep some important parts in mind though:
The first thing you need to keep in mind, is to ensure that the app is up to date, before you start the restore. You can easily do that by hovering your mouse over the little Dropbox icon, the one next to your WiFi and checking its version.
You can see all of our latest versions here.
Now, the next thing is to make sure that the app is indeed not running. Another one would be that the selected folders you choose to backup are ones that are like archival (ie wont have any updates), then this would work in theory yes.
Even after following all these steps, we can't guarantee that everything will go as planned, but you can always give it a go and if anything unexpected happens, you can contact us in order to help you.
If you need anything else, let me know!
Hi Megan !
When you write: "Now, the next thing is to make sure that the app is indeed not running. " you mean that when doing a Time Machine restore, right?
I was thinking to enable the "Back Up Automatically" option for Time Machine and then Dropbox would be running while Time Machine is doing the backups.
- Megan
Hey hologroove, exactly what I meant. 😊
You can give this one a go, see how it goes, and we're always here to assist if things don't go exactly how you have them in mind.
