Minimal resources:
4GB of RAM
Intel Core i3 (or equivalent) or faster
Hardware Compatibility: amd64 / x86-64, arm64, armv7
Supports macOS, Windows, Linux, NAS
Requiring root or sudo access
📂 Project Site:
Timeshift for Linux is an application that provides functionality similar to the System Restore feature in Windows and the Time Machine tool in Mac OS. Timeshift protects your system by taking incremental snapshots of the file system at regular intervals. These snapshots can be restored at a later date to undo all changes to the system.
In RSYNC mode, snapshots are taken using rsync and hard-links. Common files are shared between snapshots which saves disk space. Each snapshot is a full system backup that can be browsed with a file manager.
In BTRFS mode, snapshots are taken using the in-built features of the BTRFS filesystem. BTRFS snapshots are supported only on BTRFS systems having an Ubuntu-type subvolume layout (with @ and @home subvolumes).
Timeshift is similar to applications like rsnapshot, BackInTime and TimeVault but with different goals. It is designed to protect only system files and settings. User files such as documents, pictures and music are excluded. This ensures that your files remain unchanged when you restore your system to an earlier date. If you need a tool to back up your documents and files please take a look at the excellent BackInTime application which is more configurable and provides options for saving user files.
sudo apt install timeshift
GUI: Once installed you can open and via the application menu if you are using a desktop environment. You will need to be a sudo user to setup and run. Use the wizard to complete the setup.
CLI: Timeshift can be run via ternminal using these commands.
sudo timeshift
Run these commands to setup backups location and schedule. Note: backup-device /dev/sdc* is whatever mounted drive you have on the system. The --comment is for you to and is not required, I would use to denote major events or comment before a big change.
sudo timeshift --backup-device /dev/nvme1n1 --schedule-daily 5 --schedule-weekly 3 --check
sudo timeshift --create --comments "First Backup"