Backing up multiple Macs over Wifi

Our family has three Mac laptops and I would like a wifi to time machine solution to keep them backed up. Is there a way to back all of them up using Time Machine to the same disk over wifi? We have a very old, no longer works well (because I partitioned it) Time Capsule that I could format and we could put into the mix by plugging in a big external hard drove, or I am open to a network solution (though don't know much about that.) I am also happy to switch out said external hard drive once in a while so we have multiple backups to protect from drive failure. I would not call myself a novice, but I would like a solution that is fairly straight forward, automated and hard to mess up. (Though don't we all!) Thank you very much for any suggestions.

MacBook Air (2018 – 2020)

Posted on Jun 4, 2023 10:56 AM

Reply
4 replies

Jun 4, 2023 07:09 PM in response to JLMac12

You can connect as many USB hard disk drives to that Time Capsule as you wish. I recommend each Mac backs up to its own dedicated hard disk drive. They need to be formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled) since the TC will not recognize APFS.


Straightforward, automated, and hard to mess up.


If those drives are bus-powered you will need to use a powered USB hub.

Jun 5, 2023 07:40 AM in response to JLMac12

Do you know if I can plug in a USB hub and multiple hard drives to that?


Yes. I don't have anything in particular to recommend, but any USB hub should work. They are not expensive.


USB hubs can have any number of USB ports. Make sure the hub is powered, meaning it has its own power supply.


Refer to External drive connected to an AirPort Extreme Base Station (802.11ac) or AirPort Time Capsule in Backup disks you can use with Time Machine - Apple Support.

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.

Backing up multiple Macs over Wifi

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