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Backing up files to Time Machine

  • May 22, 2025
  • 6 replies
  • 7 views
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I am using Box Drive for my most important files on my new Macbook Pro (running Catalina).

I just did my first Time Machine back-up of my new laptop. All seemed smooth, but 
 
a) it LOOKS to me like NOTHING from Box is being copied onto my TM back-up, not even the files for which Box is maintaining local copies. Does this make sense? Is there actually no way for me to include in my own local TM back-up even the files Box is keeping local copies of on my computer?
 
b) When I googled a bit, I can across one or more suggestions in search results suggesting that including Box in a TM back-up could result in files being deleted online (??), but I wasn't able to find the actual questions or answers or advice, just the teasers in the google search results--and nothing on the Box site. Any insight here?

    6 replies

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    Hi Leo, 

    Apologies however, we don't support/recommend using time machine to back up your Box folders because it doesn't work well with our products.

    Please take a look at this article for best practices to "Reinstall Box Sync on a New Computer" this also applies for Box Drive users.

    There should not be a need for back-up since all content is stored in the cloud accessible via Box.com. 

    Thanks for your participation in the community!

    Best, 

    France

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    This goes against all the backup advice I have ever read. With only one backup, my files are not safe. With 2 backups, they are safer. With 3 backups--one offsite--they are much safer. Do you have any suggestions for the second and third backup?

     

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    I couldn't agree more.

    Not being able to automate local backups of Box Drive is pretty awful. Yes, I mostly rely on the cloud, but sometimes the file versioning doesn't work out as planned. Also, deleting files cannot be restored. (!!) Having an automated solution like Time Machine as a local backup for redundancy is critical to me and my work. This shouldn't even be an issue! 

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    Quick update. Happy to report that after updating my Mac to Monterrey OS and updating Box, I can now backup my local Box files to time machine! Super helpful to have this working. Thanks Box team!

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    Hi Jorge,

    How did you fix that?

    Box seems to be a virtual disk that is not recognized byTime Machine.

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    Hi Jan -- Actually didn't do anything. Seemed to have fixed itself many version ago. My Mac is on Mac OS 12.4 and using Box version 2.26.348. 

    On my Mac the files are stored in Users\...\Library\Cloudstorage\Box-Box. 

    Hope this helps!

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