How to set up your first backup

This documentation is for an older version of CCC. You can find the latest version here.
Last updated on June 1, 2022

Attach the backup disk to your computer

See the Choosing a backup drive section for additional advice on this subject.

Format the disk

Before you can use a new disk for a backup of macOS, you must first initialize it with the correct format using Disk Utility.

See the Preparing your backup disk for a backup of macOS section of the documentation for step-by-step instructions.

Open Carbon Copy Cloner

Applications > Carbon Copy Cloner

Launch Carbon Copy Cloner

When you open CCC for the first time, you'll be guided through your first task setup. If you prefer to not be guided, click the Tips button in CCC's toolbar.

Select the Source

Click on the dotted box under the SOURCE heading to view available sources.

See also: "Do I need to create separate backup tasks for "Macintosh HD" and "Macintosh HD - Data"?"

 

Select your startup disk from the menu of available volumes for the source.

Select the Source

Select the Destination

Click on the dotted box under the DESTINATION heading to view available destinations, then select your new backup drive from the menu of available volumes for the destination.

Select the Destination

Begin the Clone

Click Clone. The first time you run a backup task, CCC will prompt you to authenticate so it can install its privileged helper tool. This helper tool is required to perform privileged tasks, e.g. to copy system files.

Begin the Clone

Congratulations - your first clone is in progress!

Congratulations - your first clone is in progress!

Smart Updates

If you run the same backup task again, CCC will copy only the items that have changed. There's no special setting to achieve this behavior, simply click the Clone button again or configure your backup task to run automatically on a scheduled basis.

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