9to5Mac has discovered a great new feature in the new Apple Lion OS X that will allow you to use the updated Time Machine software to make ‘Local Snapshot’ backups without the need for any external drives to be connected, as was required in previous OS X releases.
The new ‘Local Snapshots’ feature can make backups of all file changes every hour and will then store these backups locally on your Mac’s internal hard drive.
How Local Snapshots Work
The ‘Local Snapshots’ feature is designed to provide an additional layer of data protection by creating hourly backups of your files and storing them on your Mac’s internal storage. This means that even if you are not connected to an external drive, your data is still being backed up regularly. These snapshots are created automatically and are managed by the system to ensure that they do not consume too much disk space. Older snapshots are automatically deleted as new ones are created, and the system ensures that there is always enough space for your regular activities.
However, Apple does warn that an external drive should be used to protect your Mac from local file and disk malfunctions. While ‘Local Snapshots’ provide a convenient way to back up your data when you are on the go, they are not a substitute for regular backups to an external drive. External backups are essential for protecting your data against hardware failures, theft, or other catastrophic events that could affect your Mac’s internal storage.
Benefits of Local Snapshots
The primary benefit of the ‘Local Snapshots’ feature is that it provides continuous data protection even when you are away from your external backup drives. This can be particularly useful for users who travel frequently or work in multiple locations. For example, if you are working on an important project while traveling and accidentally delete a crucial file, you can easily restore it from a recent snapshot without needing to connect to an external drive.
Additionally, ‘Local Snapshots’ can be a lifesaver in situations where you experience software issues or accidental data loss. Since the snapshots are created hourly, you can revert to a version of your files from just an hour ago, minimizing the amount of work lost. This feature also integrates seamlessly with the existing Time Machine interface, making it easy to browse and restore files from your local snapshots just as you would with backups stored on an external drive.
It’s also worth noting that ‘Local Snapshots’ are designed to be efficient in terms of storage usage. The system uses a method called “copy-on-write” to ensure that only the changes made to files are stored in the snapshots, rather than duplicating entire files. This helps to minimize the amount of disk space used by the snapshots, allowing you to continue using your Mac without worrying about running out of storage.
The ‘Local Snapshots’ feature in Apple Lion OS X is a valuable addition to the Time Machine software, providing users with an extra layer of data protection and peace of mind. While it is not a replacement for regular backups to an external drive, it offers a convenient and efficient way to ensure that your data is continuously protected, even when you are on the go.
Via 9to5 Mac
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