Updated December 2020: Updated for macOS Big Sur. Questions about the process to back up Mac contacts? Its very similar to popular file sync and share services like Microsofts. Be sure to check out our latest recommendations before making a decision. iCloud Drive is a file hosting service for Apples mobile devices and computers. Looking for a new Mac?Īs Apple adds new Macs to its lineup, iMore adjusts our yearly recommendations. Let me repeat that for clarity: when importing a dot-abbu package, there is no option to merge with your existing data. You'll see your previous Time Machine backups arranged like cards in a rolodex. If you try to open an ".abbu" package in the OS X Contacts app, it will ask you if you want to replace your current contacts database with contents of ".abbu". To restore your system or even a single file to a previous point, click the menu bar and choose Enter Time Machine. If youre using iOS 8 or later, tap Storage > Manage Storage. The latter, however, will replace your entire contacts. Select which iOS apps to back up Tap Settings > iCloud. Moving forward, the former, when imported, will allow you to merge information with an existing contact.
#HOW TO BACKUP MY MAC TO ICLOUD ARCHIVE#
The Export vCard choice only includes the selected contacts from the Contacts.app, while selecting Contacts Archive would include an export of all of your contacts. Open up finder, and on the left-hand side of the window you will see iCloud. Enter your information into the Apple ID and Password fields.
#HOW TO BACKUP MY MAC TO ICLOUD HOW TO#
The main points are worth repeating here since the execution remains the same even as OS X became macOS later that year. How to Backup Mac with iCloud Backing up the contents of your Mac is simple. In 2016, MacStories did a great job explaining the differences between saving contacts as a vCard or archive and how the choice you select could affect a future import.