User profile for user: hudsonmi
hudsonmi Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

is a flash drive ok to use for backup with the Time Machine app on a Mac?

Is a flash drive ok to use for backup with the Time Machine app on a Mac?

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 20, 2020 12:17 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: VikingOSX
VikingOSX
User level: Level 10
122,082 points

Posted on Nov 20, 2020 12:26 PM

If you are talking thumb drives, then no. If you are talking SSD, and the newer 1Gbps external SSD drives, then yes. Sizing should be 2.5 - 3x the size of your startup drive. Big Sur and earlier expect a HFS+ Journaled (case insensitive) formatted Time Machine drive. Big Sur can also create and use APFS (case insensitive) formatted Time Machine drives, but these are not backwards compatible with Time Machine on earlier macOS implementations.

View in context

Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: VikingOSX
VikingOSX
User level: Level 10
122,082 points

Nov 20, 2020 12:26 PM in response to hudsonmi

If you are talking thumb drives, then no. If you are talking SSD, and the newer 1Gbps external SSD drives, then yes. Sizing should be 2.5 - 3x the size of your startup drive. Big Sur and earlier expect a HFS+ Journaled (case insensitive) formatted Time Machine drive. Big Sur can also create and use APFS (case insensitive) formatted Time Machine drives, but these are not backwards compatible with Time Machine on earlier macOS implementations.

Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

is a flash drive ok to use for backup with the Time Machine app on a Mac?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up