Mac User Guide
- Welcome
- What’s new in macOS Sequoia
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- Get started with Apple Intelligence
- Use Writing Tools
- Use Apple Intelligence in Mail
- Use Apple Intelligence in Messages
- Use Apple Intelligence with Siri
- Get webpage summaries
- Summarize an audio recording
- Create original images with Image Playground
- Create Genmoji with Apple Intelligence
- Use Apple Intelligence in Photos
- Summarize notifications and reduce interruptions
- Use ChatGPT with Apple Intelligence
- Apple Intelligence and privacy
- Block access to Apple Intelligence features
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- Intro to Continuity
- Use AirDrop to send items to nearby devices
- Hand off tasks between devices
- Control your iPhone from your Mac
- Copy and paste between devices
- Stream video and audio with AirPlay
- Make and receive calls and text messages on your Mac
- Use your iPhone internet connection with your Mac
- Share your Wi-Fi password with another device
- Use iPhone as a webcam
- Insert sketches, photos, and scans from iPhone or iPad
- Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch
- Use your iPad as a second display
- Use one keyboard and mouse to control Mac and iPad
- Sync music, books, and more between devices
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- Control what you share
- Set up your Mac to be secure
- Allow apps to see the location of your Mac
- Use Private Browsing
- Keep your data safe
- Understand passwords
- Change weak or compromised passwords
- Keep your Apple Account secure
- Use Mail Privacy Protection
- Use Sign in with Apple for apps and websites
- Find a missing device
- Resources for your Mac
- Resources for your Apple devices
- Copyright
Time Machine settings on Mac
On your Mac, use Time Machine settings to add or remove a backup disk, and specify options such as when to back up and which items to exclude from a backup.
Popular topics
Exclude files and folders from backups
Browse through the options below for details about customizing your settings.
To change these settings, choose Apple menu 
in the sidebar, then click Time Machine on the right.
Option | Description |
|---|---|
Add Backup Disk | If you haven’t set up Time Machine, click Add Backup Disk to set up a backup disk. |
Add or Remove Backup Disk | If you already set up Time Machine, do either of the following: Add a backup disk: Click Remove a backup disk: Click |
Options | Click Options, then click any of the following to customize backup settings: Backup Frequency: Choose whether to back up manually, or select how often Time Machine backs up your files automatically. Back up on battery power: Turn on to create backups every hour even if your Mac is on battery power. This option only appears when an automatic backup schedule is selected on a Mac laptop. Exclude from Backups: Choose files and folders to leave out of the backup. Click |
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, Note: If you create a backup on a Mac, you can only use that backup on Mac computers. If you partition with macOS 12 or later, you can only use the partitions with macOS 11 or later.