Chapter 32: Backing Up Files
In This Chapter
Preparing for backup
Using Time Machine to back up files
Using Time Machine to restore files
Using Time Machine with applications
Backing up files, as well as restoring them, is fundamentally important but often ignored. That's too bad, because not backing up risks losing all your key information—family photos, business records, music, and more. And backing up is so very easy to do on the Mac, thanks to the built-in Time Machine utility. So there's really no excuse not to back up your Mac.
Time Machine makes the backup process quick and simple to set up, virtually unnoticeable in operation, and reliable for restoring files. It even comes with an attractive 3-D interface that adds a touch of life to the otherwise insipidly dull process of file restoration.
Although Time Machine does a great job backing up files from your Mac, chances are that you also have an iOS device such as an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch that also should be backed up. You can do so in iTunes or via the free iCloud service (both covered in Chapter 22).
