Create an online backup with Backblaze

Create an automatic, cloud-based backup to complete your setup

With a Time Machine backup running, you’re halfway there to having the perfect Mac backup plan in place. Remember the rules, though. Make it automatic and back up in at least two different locations. Using an online backup service means your data is copied to a remote location (often on a different continent) on a regular basis, so you’ll always have a reliable backup to fall back on should you need it. There are a few options out there, such as Crashplan and Livedrive, but we’re big fans of Backblaze for its price and compatibility.

1 Pick a template

To get started, head to backblaze.com and sign up for a free 15-day trial. The service usually costs $50 (approximately £35) per year, but this is a great way to kick the tyres.

3 Hunt it down

Once installed, Backblaze can be found as a pane in your System Preferences. It’s pretty lightweight and runs in the background, but there are a few settings that you can adjust.

2 Navigate the grid

Signing up for the trial will start a download of the Backblaze installer. Run this and enter your administrator password when prompted so the app can access everything it needs.

4 Check your progress

In Backblaze’s Preferences pane you can check the progress of your backup (the first one takes a while) and adjust additional settings, such as additional hard drives to back up.