Backing up image files on an external SSD to an ext. HDD on a Mac.

Question

Hi.Running LR Classic 12.3 on Mac with OS Ventura 13.4.1.After using instructions here on the Forum I have moved image files used in LR from an ext. HDD to an ext. SSD and all went well. I have my divided my total image file library between my internal SSD and my external SSD. My LR catalogue resides on my internal SSD.I use Time Machine to back up my internal drive. I am now wondering how to back up the image files on my ext. SSD to another ext. HDD (or possibly to another ext. SSD). I can't use Time Machine for this as far as I can figure out.Does someone have a backup program they would recommend for this process?Thank you for any suggestions.-Firislander.

Conrad_C · Answer

Backblaze won’t work because it backs up to the cloud, not to another local volume.

There are some long-established Mac apps that do precisely this job of backing up or making an exact “clone” of one entire local volume to another. They also let you easily and quickly maintain the copy over time, by updating only the files that changed. Some can also (optionally) maintain versioned backups, similar to Time Machine. These are some backup/cloning applications that have been around for many years and are known to be reliable with many options:

Carbon Copy Cloner

ChronoSync

SuperDuper!

All are paid software.

Typically they let you create presets for the backup jobs you do regularly, so you can update backups in just a couple of clicks. For example, if I want to update the exact backup of my entire photo archive, I mount its external backup volume, open the backup program, select the job preset I made for my photo archive backup, click Start, and I walk away while it does its thing.

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