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Forum Discussion
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.
I require local backups of my files. Backing up to a single cloud solution is absolutely not an option. (All eggs in one place). I do not use the new file provider option from apple.
I have my full Dropbox content on an external Mac system disk as a temporary solution until storing local Dropbox files on an external disk that is not a Mac system disk is available.
I would kindly request that links to the other posts relating to this problem be made available here.
I have found my solution and i'm trying it out. I have partitioned my main SSD and created a DP 200GB partition. I changed the setting in advanced to point to the new disk and folder. I will be trying SmartSync and selectively downloading files i work on. I mix music so my files can be huge. I hope download of files is fast enough-i'll see.
I'll be backing up all my drives except the DP partition. I'll let DP sync the updated and if i loose the partition, i'll just reaccess the files on the dropbox server forcing local downloads when necessary.
I've just migrated to Catalina (hardware and software incompatibilities have made me wait this long !) the used disk space for the system disk is indicated as less that 10gb. I have multiple logical OS system disks (Sierra, Majove and Catalina) on my main SSD also for hardware/software compatibility. I am hopeful that I can eventually share the DP disk of booting other OS versions but this is not essential. I can transfer specific files if necessary.
Anyone else doing stuff like this ?
Cheers
- Mark
Super User II
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.Indeed. But then one does need to use another backup solution. I use Time Machine for backup and Dropbox for syncing. In the past, I have been told that this is a dangerous combination. Presumably that is no longer the case? Thanks.
This is a limitation of Dropbox solution not a solution to the real problem that exists out there. A debate and argumentation to analyse and provide a real solution should be initiated without delay imho.
So as you say, dropbox is not a substitute for backing up. And you also say, do not use Time Machine with Dropbox. So, then, is one stuck without a backup solution if one uses Mac OS?
- Until a solution is found. Dropbox is an excellent backup system. Turn off time machine and use Dropbox for backups. That is what I do. It’s saved me plenty of times.
macOS will also backup to iCloud. So time machine isn’t really needed anyway. But Dropbox will provide rollback functionality as well.
