---
id: mac-storage-basics.can-time-machine-back-up-to-a-network-drive
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/can-time-machine-back-up-to-a-network-drive
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Time Machine basics"
question: "Can Time Machine back up to a network drive or another Mac?"
alt_questions:
  - "time machine nas"
  - "time machine smb share"
  - "back up to another mac time machine"
  - "network time machine backup"
  - "time machine over wifi"
short_answer: "Yes — a NAS with Time Machine support, or another Mac sharing a folder as a Time Machine destination. Add it with Add Backup Disk; the first backup is slow over Wi-Fi."
tags: ["time machine", "nas", "network"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-big-should-a-time-machine-drive-be", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/can-i-use-a-nas-for-mac-storage"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Can Time Machine back up to a network drive or another Mac?

Yes. Time Machine can use a network share that supports it (many NAS devices offer a Time Machine option) or another Mac sharing a folder as a Time Machine destination (in that Mac's File Sharing settings). Choose it with **Add Backup Disk** in Time Machine settings.

Network backups are slower than a direct drive, especially the first one, so a wired connection helps.