Trying to get my parents set up with a backup solution for their computers. Unfortunately they do not have an AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule router that I could use the USB port for an external HDD (or the built in one). My dad has a MBP and my mom uses a Mac Mini. I bought a 4TB external HDD but was wondering if there was any way to use Time Machine both locally for the Mac Mini (where I was planning on plugging in the HDD) as well as over WiFi for the MBP. Otherwise, a new router with USB attached network storage may be the best option. Thanks for your help!
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Backup MBP to External HDD connected to Mac Mini (same WiFi) - ???
- Thread starter Blazer5913
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Does this help?
Back up to a shared folder with Time Machine on Mac
On a Mac, share a folder that other Mac computers on your network can use for Time Machine backups.
support.apple.com
The biggest challenge for the less tech-savvy will be to keep the share mounted, so backups will always chug away.
If you go the router w/USB route, there are lots to choose from. Synology routers have one of the best file sharing feature sets of all that I have used, with both the option to use as TM destination, as well as their own backup system.
If you go the router w/USB route, there are lots to choose from. Synology routers have one of the best file sharing feature sets of all that I have used, with both the option to use as TM destination, as well as their own backup system.
If your dad has a user account on the Mac Mini (with same name & password as his MBP) then the HD on the Mac Mini should work as a TM drive without problems. I have the same setup with 2 iMacs. You just have to remember to leave the second Mac (Mac Mini) on when you are working on the first one (MBP) - it can be asleep and TM will still work.
The alternative is to mount the Mac Mini HD every time that the MBP boots up. In System Prefs/Accounts/Login items add the HD to the list. You will need to log onto the Mac Mini (using your mom's login) from the MBP first then use Finder to mount its external hard disk. The MBP should remember the login details after that.
There are some (very) old tips here but they give the general idea.
The alternative is to mount the Mac Mini HD every time that the MBP boots up. In System Prefs/Accounts/Login items add the HD to the list. You will need to log onto the Mac Mini (using your mom's login) from the MBP first then use Finder to mount its external hard disk. The MBP should remember the login details after that.
There are some (very) old tips here but they give the general idea.