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How to Share Folder as Time Machine Backup Destination in macOS High Sierra version 10.13.1

If you were using OS X Server in macOS Sierra then upgraded to macOS High Sierra, you are probably wondering what in the world happened to the Time Machine Option in OS X Server. A good discussion is going on about the question here, but we do have a solution for you:

As it turns out that Apple decided that Time Machine sharing will now become a part of macOS instead of Server 5.4. You can now used a shared Folder as a Time Machine backup destination using the Sharing preferences in your macOS System Preferences.

According to the Mac Help instructions, to Set up a shared Time Machine backup folder,

  1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Sharing.
  2. Select the File Sharing checkbox.
  3. Click the Add button + at the bottom of the Shared Folders list.
  4. Navigate to and select the folder you want to use for sharing, then click Add.
  5. Select the name of the shared folder, click Options, then make sure “Share files and folders using SMB” is selected and “Share files and folders using AFP” is not selected.
  6. Control-click the name of the folder, then choose Advanced Options.
  7. Select “Share as a Time Machine backup destination.”
  8. If desired, select “Limit backups to,” then enter a size.
  9. Click OK.

The question remains, though, of how do you know your remote devices are currently being backed up or how much of their backup has been done and how much is left?

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