Monthly Archives: September 2024

Backup your Mac Time machine with Ubuntu (networked) 2024

Hardware used in this setup:

  • M1 Mac
  • Ubuntu Server 22.04

Server Setup: This install is VERY EASY!

  1. Install ‘netatalk’ on the ubuntu machine.
    • sudo apt-get -y install netatalk
  2. Edit afp.conf
    • sudo nano /etc/netatalk/afp.conf
      • Add your location that you would like to store the backup on the Ubuntu server. (Ensuring it exists)
  3. Restart the netatalk service (Ubuntu Server):
    • sudo service netatalk restart

That was the server side, now onto the mac setup.

  1. In a terminal on the mac, run the following command:
    • defaults write com.apple.systempreferences TMShowUnsupportedNetworkVolumes 1
    • Then Reboot
  2. Mount share by selecting “Connect to server” from the Finder app’s “Go” menu (or press ⌘+K) and enter the machine name or IP address of your Ubuntu machine
    • afp://192.168.1.100
      • This will use the ubuntu users credentials to authenticate
  3. Go to Time Machine preferences and select “Change location”, select to encrypt backup, and begin the backup process.
  4. The first backup takes a little longer, but after a few seconds you should be good to go!