binaryfactory.ca

How does Time Machine work with FileVault?

To restore individual files, you can mount the Time machine sparsebundle files and browse them. I believe Apple should document this better, I have yet to find a clear precise document describing how it works.

Here’s a test:

I ran a backup manually. It backed up about 265megabytes. This was right after iTunes downloaded an update for my iPhone. This is weird, because that is stored in Library/iTunes/iPhone Software updates, which is in my FileVault user data.

I ran a second backup right after. It backed up 726Kb. Sounds like not much has changed.

Then, I copied a folder (mp3 album) from my NAS to a folder called Time Machine Test in my home folder.. 91megabytes of files.

I started a backup. Sure enough, it backed up about 91megabytes.

After the backup completed, I mounted the Sparsebundle file, and my files were there. I could copy them back properly.

So Apple, HOW does it REALLY work? What only gets backed up at logoff? Why can’t the UI show me those files and let me restore them when I can mount the sparsebundle and do it myself?