Do you discover making Linux system backups tedious, complicated and annoying? In that case, you really want to take a look at Timeshift. It’s a simple to make use of, customizable and automatable backup system that works similar to Mac OS’s Time Machine. You should use it to imitate a Mac-like backup setup and repeatedly backup your Linux onerous drive.
SPOILER ALERT: Scroll down and watch the video tutorial on the finish of this text.
Set up Timeshift
Putting in Timeshift on Linux is varies in issue, relying on the distribution you’re putting in this system on. To get the app working, discover your working system and enter the corresponding instructions.
Ubuntu
Timeshift isn’t an Ubuntu program, and the builders don’t goal it. Consequently, Ubuntu customers wanting to make use of this program might want to set up it through a third-party package deal.
Open up a terminal and use the wget software to obtain the most recent model of the Timeshift Debian package deal.
wget
With the Timeshift package deal downloaded from the Linux Mint package deal repositories, it’s time to start out the set up. Utilizing the dpkg software, set up the Timeshift package deal.
sudo dpkg -i timeshift_17.11~backport_amd64.deb
Timeshift is a Linux Mint package deal, so putting in it on Ubuntu could trigger dependency points. Don’t fear! These issues are widespread and straightforward to resolve!
Within the terminal, resolve the problems dependency points with the apt set up command (if there are any.)
sudo apt set up -f
Debian
In contrast to Ubuntu, Debian customers don’t want to leap via hoops to make use of the app. As a substitute, Timeshift is available within the conventional software program places for Debian. To set up it, open up a terminal and use the Apt-get package deal supervisor to get the whole lot working.
sudo apt-get set up timeshift
Arch Linux
The Timeshift system restoration app is offered for Arch Linux customers via the AUR. To set up it, some necessities have to be met. Particularly, you’ll want to put in the Git software.
In a terminal, sync the most recent model of Git to Arch.
sudo pacman -S git
Subsequent, use Git to clone a snapshot of the Timeshift AUR construct script.
git clone
Transfer the terminal into the brand new Timeshift AUR folder with the CD command.
cd timeshift
From right here, it’s protected to start out the compiling course of. Nevertheless, consider, that as Timeshift is an AUR program, it might want to set up dependencies earlier than constructing efficiently. For probably the most half, the makepkg command takes care of it.
Within the occasion that each one dependencies aren’t taken care of, they’re available here.
To construct the Timeshift package deal on Arch, run the makepkg command.
makepkg -si
Fedora
Timeshift is available for Fedora customers proper out of the field, without having to activate any particular third-party software program repositories. To set up, open up a terminal and use the DNF package deal supervisor to seize the most recent model.
sudo dnf set up timeshift -y
OpenSUSE
Sadly, there isn’t an RPM launch of Timeshift for OpenSUSE, like there’s for Fedora.
When you’re feeling courageous, strive downloading the Fedora model and putting in it. In any other case, for finest outcomes, skip to the “Generic Linux” possibility.
Generic Linux
Timeshift may be put in on almost each Linux distribution through a generic binary file. Putting in it’s barely extra difficult than utilizing one thing like Apt, DNF or the AUR, however it will get the job performed.
Open up a terminal and seize the most recent binary with the wget obtain software:
wget
Or, for the 32-bit model:
wget
Subsequent, replace the permissions of the binary file, in order that the system executes it as a program.
chmod +x timeshift-v18.6.1-*.run
With the permissions for Timeshift updated, the set up can start. To begin the set up, do the next:
./timeshift-v18.6.1-*.run
Utilizing Timeshift
Upon the primary launch of Timeshift, you’ll be taken via a setup software. Step one to the setup asks the person to pick the kind of backup (Rsync or BtrFS). For many customers, Rsync is the only option. Choose it, then click on the “Next” button to proceed.
On the subsequent web page of the setup wizard, use the choice software to discover a good place for the Timeshift app to save lots of snapshots, then click on the “next” button.
With the snapshot sort and site set, Timeshift will begin the backup. Be affected person, and shortly the snapshot course of will end.
Schedule Backup
The primary snapshot is taken care of, however Timeshift isn’t set for automated backup. To repair this, go to “settings,” and choose the “Schedule” tab.
Undergo the schedule, and determine what works finest for you. When the whole lot seems good, shut the window.
Restore Backups
If one thing has gone mistaken and it is advisable to restore a backup, observe these steps. First, open up the Timeshift app, and choose a backup in the primary listing. Then, discover the “restore” button and choose it.
Clicking the “restore” possibility brings up the restoration dialog inside Timeshift and mechanically units up for restoration mode.
Within the restoration window, click on the “Next” button to revive from the snapshot backup.
Give the backup a while. When the restoration completes, it is going to mechanically reboot your Linux PC. On the subsequent login, your information ought to be precisely the place they had been when the Timeshift backup was taken!
