Backups & recovery
Guides for backing up and recovering data: Time Machine, cloud sync, deleted files, and restore procedures.
Common issues
- Set up backups
- Restore from backup
- Recover deleted files
- Cloud sync fails
Start here
Best entry points for this topic.
- Back up computer: Time Machine, File History, cloud sync 3-2-1 rule. USB full image plus OneDrive or iCloud for docs—test restore on spare folder yearly.
- How to restore files from backup on Windows or Mac Restore files: connect backup or cloud, open File History or Time Machine, pick a date, select items, restore, and open a file to verify it works.
- Recover deleted files: Recycle Bin, File History, cloud trash Stop writes to disk. Restore previous versions, OneDrive 30-day bin—PhotoRec last resort before lab recovery.
- Fix Time Machine that will not backup Time Machine on Mac fails to backup—"Backup failed" or backup never completes. This guide helps you rule out disk connection, space, and format, then fix exclusions or recreate the backup—or call a pro when needed.
All guides
Troubleshooting
- Fix a computer backup that fails with an error message Free disk space, repair the destination, fix permissions, close locked files, read logs—replace drives when SMART reports errors.
- Fix backup that is too slow Backup runs but takes too long—Time Machine, Windows Backup, File History, or cloud sync. This guide helps you exclude large folders, check connection speed, and optimize what gets backed up—or call a pro when needed.
- Fix Dropbox that will not sync [Dropbox](#term-dropbox) does not [sync](#term-sync), shows errors, or files stay in "syncing" state. This guide helps you check sign-in, storage, sync settings, and connectivity—on Windows, Mac, or web—or escalate when needed.
- Fix Google Drive that will not sync [Google Drive](#term-google-drive) does not [sync](#term-sync), shows errors, or files stay in "syncing" state. This guide helps you check sign-in, storage quota, connectivity, and sync settings—on Windows, Mac, or web—or escalate when needed.
- Fix iCloud that will not backup iCloud Backup on iPhone or iPad fails—"Backup Failed" or backup never completes. This guide helps you check sign-in, storage, Wi‑Fi, and backup settings, then fix common blockers or escalate when needed.
- Fix OneDrive that will not sync [OneDrive](#term-onedrive) does not [sync](#term-sync), shows errors, or files stay in "syncing" state. This guide helps you check sign-in, storage, sync settings, and connectivity—on Windows, Mac, or web—or escalate when needed.
- How to restore a phone from backup Restore an iPhone or Android phone from an iCloud, Google, or computer backup after a reset, upgrade, or new device. Covers setup flow, Wi‑Fi, and account sign-in.
- How to restore Windows from backup Restore files from File History or perform a full system restore from a Windows backup image when the PC fails or data is lost.
How-to
- Back up phone: iCloud, Google backup, export, verify Before reset or new phone. Wi‑Fi iCloud or Google One backup, export photos to PC, confirm last backup time in settings.