{"id":"backups.does-time-machine-back-up-folders-moved-to-my-external-drive","url":"/faq/backups/does-time-machine-back-up-folders-moved-to-my-external-drive","category":{"id":"backups","title":"Backups & restore points"},"subcategory":{"id":"backup-strategy","title":"Time Machine and backup strategy"},"question":"Does Time Machine back up folders I moved to an external drive?","alt_questions":["Time Machine and Storage Studio moved folders","Will Time Machine follow the shortcut?","relocated folder not in Time Machine","Will Time Machine still back up apps I moved to an external drive?","Time Machine and moved apps","Are moved apps included in my backup?","Back up apps on external SSD","Are relocated apps in my Time Machine backup?"],"short_answer":"Usually not: Time Machine backs up the shortcut, not the files it points to, and often excludes external drives. Include the drive in Time Machine's Options, or give Data Backup's Fast drive working set a destination.","answer_markdown":"Usually not. Time Machine backs up the shortcut left in the original place, not the files it points to, and it often leaves external drives out of backups unless you include them in its options.\n\nYou have two ways to cover them:\n- In **System Settings → General → Time Machine → Options**, make sure the external drive isn't excluded.\n- Or give Data Backup's built-in **Fast drive working set** a destination, which backs up the fast drive's Storage Studio folder with versions.","answer_html":"

Usually not. Time Machine backs up the shortcut left in the original place, not the files it points to, and it often leaves external drives out of backups unless you include them in its options.

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You have two ways to cover them: - In System Settings → General → Time Machine → Options, make sure the external drive isn't excluded. - Or give Data Backup's built-in Fast drive working set a destination, which backs up the fast drive's Storage Studio folder with versions.

","answer_text":"Usually not. Time Machine backs up the shortcut left in the original place, not the files it points to, and it often leaves external drives out of backups unless you include them in its options.\n\nYou have two ways to cover them:\n- In System Settings → General → Time Machine → Options, make sure the external drive isn't excluded.\n- Or give Data Backup's built-in Fast drive working set a destination, which backs up the fast drive's Storage Studio folder with versions.","tags":["time machine","external drive","moved folders","backups"],"related":[{"id":"backups.are-folders-moved-to-my-fast-drive-backed-up","question":"Are folders I moved to my fast drive still backed up?","url":"/faq/backups/are-folders-moved-to-my-fast-drive-backed-up"},{"id":"backups.does-storage-studio-delete-my-time-machine-backups","question":"Does Storage Studio delete my Time Machine backups?","url":"/faq/backups/does-storage-studio-delete-my-time-machine-backups"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"Does Time Machine back up folders I moved to an external drive? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Usually not: Time Machine backs up the shortcut, not the files it points to, and often excludes external drives. Include the drive in Time Machine's Options, or give Data Backup's Fast drive working set a destination.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Backups & restore points","path":"/faq/backups/"},{"name":"Does Time Machine back up folders I moved to an external drive?","path":"/faq/backups/does-time-machine-back-up-folders-moved-to-my-external-drive"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/does-time-machine-back-up-folders-moved-to-my-external-drive","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Does Time Machine back up folders I moved to an external drive?","alternateName":["Time Machine and Storage Studio moved folders","Will Time Machine follow the shortcut?","relocated folder not in Time Machine","Will Time Machine still back up apps I moved to an external drive?","Time Machine and moved apps","Are moved apps included in my backup?","Back up apps on external SSD","Are relocated apps in my Time Machine backup?"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Usually not. Time Machine backs up the shortcut left in the original place, not the files it points to, and it often leaves external drives out of backups unless you include them in its options.\n\nYou have two ways to cover them:\n- In System Settings → General → Time Machine → Options, make sure the external drive isn't excluded.\n- Or give Data Backup's built-in Fast drive working set a destination, which backs up the fast drive's Storage Studio folder with versions.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/backups/does-time-machine-back-up-folders-moved-to-my-external-drive"}}]},"fragment":"
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Backups & restore points · Time Machine and backup strategy

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Does Time Machine back up folders I moved to an external drive?

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Short answer: Usually not: Time Machine backs up the shortcut, not the files it points to, and often excludes external drives. Include the drive in Time Machine's Options, or give Data Backup's Fast drive working set a destination.

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Usually not. Time Machine backs up the shortcut left in the original place, not the files it points to, and it often leaves external drives out of backups unless you include them in its options.

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You have two ways to cover them: - In System Settings → General → Time Machine → Options, make sure the external drive isn't excluded. - Or give Data Backup's built-in Fast drive working set a destination, which backs up the fast drive's Storage Studio folder with versions.

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