# How to use Time Machine and APFS snapshots on macOS ## Time Machine setup guide ### Step 1: exclude folders from Time Machine > Heads-up: excluded folders vary depending on use case.  ### Step 2: format Time Machine disk as “Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted)” using “Disk Utility” > WARNING: DATA ON TIME MACHINE DISK WILL BE PERMANENTLY DELETED.  ### Step 3: enable “Encrypt Backup Disk” and click “Use as Backup Disk”  ### Step 4: confirm encryption is enabled and enable “Show Time Machine in menu bar”  Encrypted 👍 ## Time Machine usage guide ### Create backup Click “Time Machine” menu bar icon and then “Back Up Now” or run `tmutil startbackup`. ### Delete specific backup Heads-up: use `tmutil listbackups` to list backups. ```shell sudo tmutil delete "/Volumes/LaCie/Backups.backupdb/Sun’s MacBook Pro/2021-04-05-082332" ``` ## APFS snapshot usage guide ### Create local APFS snapshot ```shell tmutil localsnapshot ``` ### List local APFS snapshots ```shell tmutil listlocalsnapshots / ``` ### Mount local read-only APFS snapshot Heads-up: use `umount /tmp/snapshot` to unmount snapshot. Replace `com.apple.TimeMachine.2021-04-05-082935.local` with snapshot from [List local APFS snapshots](#list-local-apfs-snapshots). ```shell mkdir -p /tmp/snapshot mount_apfs -s com.apple.TimeMachine.2021-04-05-082935.local / /tmp/snapshot open /tmp/snapshot ``` ### Restore local APFS snapshot Restart computer and press `cmd+r` to boot to recovery mode. Select “Restore From Time Machine Backup”, then “Macintosh HD”, choose local snapshot, click “Continue” and “Continue” again to confirm. ### Delete specific local APFS snapshot > Heads-up: use `tmutil listlocalsnapshotdates` to list local snapshot dates. ``` tmutil deletelocalsnapshots 2021-04-05-082935 ``` ### Delete all local APFS snapshot ``` tmutil deletelocalsnapshots / ```