Can I use a Time Capsule for ADDITIONAL storage for a Mac Air which has run limited storage space

Hi
I am looking at purchasing the current MacBook Air but am aware of its limited storage space in terms of files, photos etc.
Was wondering if I could use a time Capsule for both back-up and as an additional storage device. Ie: would I be able to store photos and files on the Time Capsule that I do not wish to store on a MacBook Air and be able to retrieve them as and when - or would these be deleted after a period of time? Is there any way of protecting certain files on the Time capsule to prevent them from being deleted?
Many thanks in advance

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
You can but it's not recommended, because you can damage the Time Machine structure.
Toffey wrote:
would I be able to store photos and files on the Time Capsule that I do not wish to store on a MacBook Air and be able to retrieve them as and when - or would these be deleted after a period of time? Is there any way of protecting certain files on the Time capsule to prevent them from being deleted?
Only files backed up with Time Machine are deleted from your Time Capsule when there's no enough storage. If you store other files, they are not deleted. However, for what you want to do, I recommend you to buy a big external drive and make two partitions, one for Time Machine and another one to store files, or get two external drives

Similar Messages

Can I use the time capsule internal hard drive for file storage?

Can I configure the Time Capsule internal HD to function as a network file server as well as handling time machine backups?
Can the internal HD be partitioned?

This is asked several times a day.. obviously people are struggling with their latest SSD being too small.
The TC is not suitable for network file server.. but many people having no choice press it into service as such.
It cannot be partitioned. It was and is and ever shall be a backup device for Time Machine.
Major issues.
1. No backup.. no way Time Machine can backup a network drive. No place to backup to.. So all your files will be at risk. And you will need to buy a third party like CCC to do backup.
2. The TC cannot be partitioned and mixing TM backups and data is not great.
3. The drive is slow to spin up and quick to spin down.. there is no controls.
4. iPhoto in particular can easily corrupt its entire library with wireless networking causing a disconnection to one photo. Even if you do this;;; do not move your photo library... you have been warned!!
5. iTunes will constantly lose connection to the library. The disk is too slow to respond.. itunes on the computer will constantly spit out errors. Even in the midst of streaming the TC can spin down the disk due to caching.
6. Do not use any live files on the TC no matter what else you do.. if you edit files in whatever program the file must be on the local hard disk.
7. The only suitable location for most libraries is a computer. You can plug in an external hard disk.
Read pondini for some work arounds.
Q3 here. http://pondini.org/TM/Time_Capsule.html

Can I use a Time Capsule as a HD for my PS3 or Xbox 360?

Hi guys, I need some help... I'm thinkong buying a TimeCapsule,
but I want to know if I can use it as a external Harddrive for my
PS3 and Xbox 360... (they have less than 12 Gigabytes left)
but I dont want expand their capacity by buying each one a HDD...
thats why I want a time macine and use it as HDD for all my Devices....
please help!

No. A Time Capsule has no media serving logic.

I have a Time Capsule with 2tb of storage, and an I-Mac with 500Gb. (which is at capacity) Can I use the Time Capsule to store data in addition to backing up the hard drive?

I have a Time Capsule with 2tb of storage, and an I-Mac with 500Gb. (which is at capacity) Can I use the Time Capsule to store data from my hard drive that I want to access later in addition to backing up the hard drive?

Can I use the Time Capsule to store data from my hard drive that I want to access later in addition to backing up the hard drive?
Yes, but if you move the "original" data on your iMac to the Time Capsule....then the "original" data is now on the Time Capsule disk.
When...not if...the Time Capsule disk has a problem, you have no backups for this data.
Perhaps a much safer plan might be to add an external hard drive attached directly to your iMac. Then, move the data to that drive from the iMac.
Now, Time Machine will back up both your iMac and the external hard drive so you have "originals" on one drive and backups on another. Would that plan work for you?

Can i use the time capsule as just an external hard drive for music or does it have to be used soley as a backe up?? im thinking for music and photos

Can I use the time capsule as just an external hard drive for music or does it have to be used soley as a back up? I'm thinking for music and photos

Nickles96 wrote:
Hello friends.. I have a similar question, in that I would like to purchase the 2TB TC for use as a NAS device, in addition to taking advantage of the Air Port extreme.. Then I could dump my Linksys router.
I was originally looking at a Synology NAS solution, but the TC seems like it can meet my needs.
I have a Synology NAS as well as the Time Capsule. If you look at the 3.2 beta program, the Synology actually attempts to replicate TC functionality in that you can use it with Time Machine on your Mac.
I must say, Airport on the TC is definitely a nice feature!
Nickles96 wrote:
In addition to the obvious feature of the backup, can I indeed also use the TC as a NAS drive to access from remote locations (example from the office)?
I'm surprised more people aren't using the TC as a dedicated NAS deviced.. I've searched high and low on forums around the web, and don't seem to see many people trying to use it as I've outlined.
I can't see why this wouldn't fufill my needs, and take the place of a separate NAS solution (like the Synology, or iOmega, Seagate, etc....)
Has anyone used this TC as such?
Yes, you can do this and it's something I've been trying to do, but I'm currently having issues. I have another thread stating I consistently get "connection failed" messages. I'm basically storing my music/photo/video files on the TC and keeping my Mac hard drive fairly lean. In terms of NAS functionality, the TC is very basic. Synology/QNAP and others have a lot more features so don't rule them out.

Can I use two Time Capsules? one as an extension of my laptop (for music and video storage) and the other one to back up everything from the laptop and Time Capsule (for music and videos)

Can I use two Time Capsules? one as an extension of my laptop (for music and video storage) and the other one to back up everything from the laptop and Time Capsule (for music and videos)

Not via Time Machine. It cannot back up from a network location.
The 3rd-party apps CarbonCopyCloner and ChronoSync may be workable alternatives.
EDIT: And, if you're going to do that, you could back up from the Time Capsule to a USB drive connected to the TC's USB port. Second TC not required.
Message was edited by: Pondini

Can I use my Time Capsule for wifi parental control?

Can I use my Time Capsule for WiFi parental control. The objective first is to use a time clock to control internet access (completely on or off). Second objective is to use the Time Capsule which is also the WiFi router for more selective internet control? Anyone out there have any tips on making this work? We have Time Warner cable feeding the house internet, which is then corrected to the 2Tb Time Capsule which also provides our WiFi. Any information including other alternatives would be most appreciated. Surely we are not the only parents on the planet with this issue. Thanks very much!

how do I get the Mac addresses for each device (this won't be a problem, I demand the device, check it, and then return it).
What wireless devices are we looking at here?
Most devices have the AirPort ID or MAC Address or Hardware Address printed on the back or bottom of the device
Otherwise, you can learn the correct number by process of elimination. Turn off all wireless devices except your Mac computer....if it is connecting using wireless.
Open Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Click on the Time Capsule icon
Look for Wireless Clients and click on the numerical IP address that is displayed
Another box will open
Look for the Hardware Address. It will be displayed as xx : xx : xx : xx :xx : xx
Write that down and note that it is your Mac.
Now, connect another wireless device and repeat the sequence. Click on the "other" listing that you see to find out more info about that device. Write down the ID or Address and note what device it is. Then power it off.
Do the same for each wireless device that you want to have limited access.
Post back when you have all the info.

I have used Airport Time Capsule with my iMac for several years. I recently purchased a MacBook Air and when it tried to backup to Time Capsule it couldn't because Time Capsule is full. How can I now use the 3TB Airport Time Capsule to back up both?

I have used Airport Time Capsule with my iMac for a couple years. I recently purchased a MacBook Air and when it tried to backup to Time Capsule it couldn't because Time Capsule is full. How can I now use the 3TB Airport Time Capsule to back up both the iMac and MacBook Air? I don't mind losing earlier backups. I have excluded some items from backing up, but since the Airport Time Capsule is full, I can't even begin to back up the MacBook Air.

On your Mac.......
Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > AirPort Utility
Click on the Time Capsule icon, then click Edit in the smaller window that appears
Click on the Disks tab at the top of the window
Click Erase Disk
On the next window that appears, select the Quick Erase option, then click Erase
The operation will only take a few minutes.
Now you are ready to start new backups of both Macs. Back up one Mac first, then back up the other. Do not try to back up both Macs as the same time.

Can I use 2 Time Capsules on the same network

Can I use 2 Time Capsules on the same network
Posted: Jul 23, 2009 1:49 PM Reply Email
Here is what I want to do. I currently have a time capsule used for one end of the house. Currently my 2 kids rooms are in an addition that I have run a cable from the time capsule to each of their rooms. If I want to give them wireless for that part of the house could I add another TC, for wireless and they can both backup their macbooks to that time capsule.
So Can I add a 2nd time capsule to extend by "N" network, or should I just go with an AP express or extreme and let them each have their own HD backup for each macbook?
Brett

Have bought many reconditioned (Refurb) product from Apple site and have always been happy with them. To date none have failed me and we have been Apple customers since 2006. With that said when you buy Refurbs make sure you know what model you are getting. The current TCs on the Apple site are last generation. The way to tell is to check the model number against the current one. Easy way to do this is to put both in the shopping cart and compare the model numbers. The Refurb model number is FB277LL/A and the new TC model is MB765LL/A. The first digits identify whether a Refurb or new, the rest should be the same if they are the same model number.
Before you buy, now which model number you want and then check other sites to compare prices. I recently purchased a new TC on Amazon for a better price then the Apple Store Site. For larger Refurb purchases like MBPs, we choose to buy directly from Apple; but for peripherals we often buy from OWC, Amazon, and other sites. Hope this helps.

How can I use my time capsule with windows7

How can I use my time capsule with windows7?

This is asked regularly.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/10978060#10978060
Look at the more like this. On the right column next to the post.
Load airport utility for windows.. which will also load bonjour for windows.
In windows explorer type \\TCname or \\TCipaddress (replacing with the actual values.. names with spaces will give you trouble so change all names in the TC to SMB compatible or actual ip address).

HT201250 Can I use one Time Capsule to back up two iMacs?

Can I use one Time Capsule to back up two iMacs using Time Machine? Both are running Mountain Lion.
Fouind the answer in other questions. Don't know how to remove this message. Sorry, Des

Yes, if you use an application like Genie Timeline Pro, which was designed for this type of purpose. Genie Timeline will make a complete copy of your Dell on the first backup. After that, it will only backup the changes that have occurred since the last backup.
Genie Timeline Pro | Overview | Time Machine Backup Software for ...

Can I use my Time Capsule to set up multiple networks, or just one?

Can I use my Time Capsule to set up multiple networks, or just one? We'd like to offer the internet to clients who are at our studio, but don't want them able to access all our computers, so a second network for them would be useful.

Two big IFs here.
Not all versions of the Time Capsule have Guest Networking capability, so it might be a good idea to verify that first. Can you provide the model number of your Time Capsule. it's on the bottom of the device.....starts with an "A" followed by four numbers.
Next, assuming that the Time Capsule has Guest Network capability, the next requirement would be to verify that your modem is compatible with the Time Capsule for that feature.
Basically, you need a simple modem.....not a modem/router or gateway device that is often furnished by Internet Service Providers. If you are not sure what you have, post back with the make and model number of your "modem" and we'll see if we can find some details ont he device.

Can i use my time capsule to wirelessly backup my macbook and its external hard drive, which up until now was it's time machine and storage? How?

Can i use my time capsule to wirelessly backup my macbook and its external hard drive, which up until now was it's time machine and storage? How?

The external drive must be connected to the Mac using either USB or FireWire
You must remove the external hard drive from the list of items that are "excluded" from backups in Time Machine Preferences.
Here's how:
Open System Preferences (gear icon on the dock)
Open Time Machine
Click Options
Look for the name of the hard drive in the list of "excluded" items and click on it to highlight it
Click the -- (minus) button at the bottom of the list to remove the hard drive from the list of "excluded" items....so it will now be backed up
Strongly recommend that you do the first backup using Ethenret from your computer to the Time Capsule since the entire contents of the external drive will be copied on the first pass. Ethernet will be 3-5 faster than wireless.
Once you have the first backup done, you can use wireless for subsequent backups since they will nornally be much smaller....unless you add large files to the external drive.

Ow can I use my time capsule as a time machine backup without using it wirelessly and not as a wireless router?

How can I use my time capsule as a time machine backup without using it wirelessly and not as a wireless router?

bzb888 wrote:
I have a wireless transmitter already, would like to use the capsule just as a back up drive, I tried hooking up from the ethernet port on the imac to the one of the ports on the capsule but then my Wifi would not work. do I hook the cable to the port with the circle or the arrows?
It is better to have the TC as part of the main network in bridge. You do not need to run wireless.
If you want to use the TC plugged in by ethernet and still use wireless for internet, that is possible but the setup is rather more complicated.. the computer must not get confused about which device to use as a gateway or dns server.
See info in this thread on setting this up.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4817218?tstart=30
I need to add.. a USB drive would be cheaper, faster and more reliable. It is really poor use of a TC.

Can I use my Time Capsule as a backup disk and storage?

Can I use my Time Capsule as a backup disk and put files from my other USB external hard drive on it, using the TC as an external as well?

Actually, there is a way to limit the amount of space Time Machine uses for backup so that it won't eat up all your disk space...for example, I have mine set to only use 65GB, and then it starts to overwrite older backups...Google it for more info. To begin with, I deleted my Sparse Disk Image Bundle from Time Capsule, and used Disk Utility to create a Sparse Disk Image Bundle (turn off backups first!!!) with a capacity of 65GB in HFS Journaled, Case Sensitive...The Image must be named as follows "Full Computer Name_Ethernet MAC Address" (The ethernet MAC address is used even if you plan to solely use wifi for backups). for example, my Sparse Disk Image Bundle name is "Ahmad Atiya's MacBook Pro_00254b9d8f72.sparsebundle" Move this image to your time capsule's main directory (if you didn't create it there to begin with). Go to your Time Machine preferences, turn it on, and set it to use your Time Capsule. It should start using the image you created. If you click "get info" on the disk image, it'll show a capacity of whatever you created.

Can I use a Time Capsule for ADDITIONAL storage for a Mac Air which has run limited storage space

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for