--- title: "Time Machine With Wasabi via Cyberduck" slug: "how-to-back-up-macos-using-time-machine-to-cyberduck" updated: 2026-08-18T21:31:09Z published: 2026-08-18T21:31:09Z canonical: "docs.wasabi.com/how-to-back-up-macos-using-time-machine-to-cyberduck" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.wasabi.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Time Machine With Wasabi via Cyberduck This article explains how to use [CyberDuck](https://docs.wasabi.com/v1/docs/how-do-i-use-cyberduck-or-mountain-duck-with-wasabi#2-configuration-of-cyberduck) to back up your Time Machine to Wasabi. Cyberduck has been validated for use with Apple’s Time Machine to back up your Time Machine to the cloud. ## **Requirements** - macOS 12+ (Tested on macOS 15.5) - CyberDuck installed on your machine ([Configuration of CyberDuck)](https://docs.wasabi.com/v1/docs/how-do-i-use-cyberduck-or-mountain-duck-with-wasabi#2-configuration-of-cyberduck) - Sufficient disk space (recommended: >1.5x used system space) - Wasabi account with bucket created ([Bucket Creation Guide](https://docs.wasabi.com/docs/working-with-buckets-and-objects)) - Access Key and Secret Key from Wasabi ([Access Keys Guide](https://docs.wasabi.com/v1/docs/creating-a-new-access-key)) - **Please note:** you may use a physical external drive or space in your onboard hard drive if your drive has enough storage. ## **1. Prepare a Time Machine-Compatible Mount Drive** - You can use any mounted [drive that satisfies Time Machine’s requirements](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102423): - External storage device connected to Mac - Mac shared as a network backup destination - Network-attached storage (NAS) device - AirPort Extreme Base Station or AirPort Time Capsule - A virtual disk image, such as a sparse bundle. Please note that to create a sparse bundle, you will need to use the terminal. dfg 1.1. To create a sparsebundle (optional): Recommended Disk Size: >1.5x used system space ```plaintext hdiutil create -size -type SPARSEBUNDLE -fs HFS+J -volname "" .sparsebundle  ``` Command variables: - `<disk-size-in-GB>`: Size of the virtual disk in GB (e.g., 500) - `<volume-name>`: The name shown in /Volumes/ (e.g., TimeMachineDisk) - `<path-to-folder>`: Folder where the sparsebundle will be saved (e.g., ~/) - `<sparsebundle-name>`: Name of the sparsebundle file (e.g., TimeMachineDisk) Example: ```plaintext hdiutil create -size 500g -type SPARSEBUNDLE -fs HFS+J -volname "TimeMachineDisk" ~/TimeMachineDisk.sparsebundle ``` 1.2. Mount the Drive (if virtual): Mount the Drive (if virtual) ```plaintext hdiutil attach .sparsebundle  ``` Command variables: - `<path-to-folder>`: Folder where the sparsebundle will be saved (e.g., ~/) Example: ```plaintext hdiutil attach ~/TimeMachineDisk.sparsebundle ``` The volume will be mounted under /Volumes/. ## **2. Set Time Machine to Use the Mounted Drive** ```plaintext sudo tmutil setdestination /Volumes/ ``` ## **Command Variables:** - `<volume-name>`: The name shown in /Volumes/ (e.g., TimeMachineDisk) Example: ```plaintext sudo tmutil setdestination /Volumes/TimeMachineDisk ``` Time Machine will now treat this mount as a backup disk. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/bef0a1ea-7768-4d5a-b520-c4fe2f7fafad/Images/Documentation/pqIRhL9GxSSIdGzMAh8bKX0OghCf29izSR7Y9Ysby4dN8sGAAAAAAAAgNFEAgQYA15mAgQAAAAAAAAAxgN6gAAAAAAAAAAAgHGHBAgAAAAAAAAAABh3SIAAAAAAAAAAAIBxRe0ESIAAAAAAAAAAAIBxJQgCEiAAAAAAAAAAAGD8yOVy1tLSQgIEAAAAAAAAAACMH7du3bL29nb7Px8SmWDpLxvDAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC.jpg) ### **3. Run the Initial Time Machine Backup** 3.1. [Time Machine](https://support.apple.com/en-us/104984) to complete a full system backup. (System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access) ![](https://cdn.document360.io/bef0a1ea-7768-4d5a-b520-c4fe2f7fafad/Images/Documentation/image-MAD351FY.png) 3.2 Back Up: This may take several hours depending on system size. (System Settings > Time Machine > Right Click the Mounted Drive) ![](https://cdn.document360.io/bef0a1ea-7768-4d5a-b520-c4fe2f7fafad/Images/Documentation/image-OCJC74EJ.png) ## 4. Connect to CyberDuck using your Wasabi Credentials - Choose your desired Wasabi bucket - Ensure you are using the correct [Service URL](https://docs.wasabi.com/docs/what-are-the-service-urls-for-wasabi-s-different-storage-regions) for your desired region - Ensure you have an [Access Key & Secret Key](https://docs.wasabi.com/v1/docs/access-keys-1?highlight=cyberduck) with API permissions enabled - Once in Cyberduck and in the correct storage bucket, navigate to file, then select upload - ![](https://cdn.document360.io/bef0a1ea-7768-4d5a-b520-c4fe2f7fafad/Images/Documentation/base64-converted-image-1782074730785.png) - Go to your Time Machine Drive in locations And press upload - ![](https://cdn.document360.io/bef0a1ea-7768-4d5a-b520-c4fe2f7fafad/Images/Documentation/base64-converted-image-1782074730788.png) When complete, you will see an upload complete in your transfers in CyberDuck. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/bef0a1ea-7768-4d5a-b520-c4fe2f7fafad/Images/Documentation/base64-converted-image-1782074730790.png) ## 5. Automate the Sync with Cyberduck (Optional) 5.1. Find the full path of duck. ```plaintext which duck ``` **Example Output:** ```plaintext /usr/local/bin/duck ``` --- ##### 5.2. Create a scheduled sync task using duck mirror. Cyberduck supports `--mirror` for syncing a local folder with remote storage. **Example: Daily sync at 6 PM** ```plaintext 0 18 * * * /usr/local/bin/duck --mirror ~/TimeMachineDisk.sparsebundle s3:/// --upload ``` **Example: Weekly sync at 6 PM every Friday** ```plaintext 0 18 * * 5 /usr/local/bin/duck --mirror ~/TimeMachineDisk.sparsebundle s3:/// --upload ``` In your crontab command: - `<minute>`: Minute of the hour (e.g., `0` means :00) - `<hour>`: Hour in 24-hour format (e.g., `18` means 6 PM) - `<day-of-month>`: Use `*` for any day - `<month>`: Use `*` for any month - `<day-of-week>`: `0` = Sunday, `1` = Monday, ..., `5` = Friday - `<path-to-folder>`: e.g., `~/` - `<sparsebundle-name>`: e.g., `TimeMachineDisk` - `<remote-name>`: The name you assigned in rclone config - `<bucket-name>`: The Wasabi bucket name ##### 5.3. Edit the crontab: ```plaintext crontab -e ``` 5.4. Use [crontab](https://crontab.guru/) to schedule regular syncs: ![](https://cdn.document360.io/bef0a1ea-7768-4d5a-b520-c4fe2f7fafad/Images/Documentation/Screenshot 2025-07-11 at 10.33.46 AM.png) 5.5. Save and Exit Crontab **If using** `nano`**:** - Press `Ctrl + O` to save - Press `Enter` to confirm - Press `Ctrl + X` to exit **If using** `vi`**:** - Press `Esc` - Type `:wq` - Press `Enter` **Tips:** - If encountering `Permission denied`, check `.sparsebundle` ownership and run with `sudo` - You may compress `.sparsebundle` to `.dmg` or `.zip` for other backup methods