Mac storage basics · Time Machine basics

How do I exclude folders from Time Machine backups?

Q: How do I exclude folders from Time Machine backups?

Open System Settings → General → Time Machine, click Options…, then click + under the exclusion list and choose the folders or drives to skip. Common candidates are Downloads, virtual machine files, caches and folders already stored in the cloud. Excluded items won't be restorable from Time Machine, so only exclude things you have elsewhere or can recreate.

Short answer: In System Settings → General → Time Machine, click Options and add folders or drives with +. Excluded items can't be restored from Time Machine.

Open System Settings → General → Time Machine, click Options…, then click + under the exclusion list and choose the folders or drives to skip. Common candidates are Downloads, virtual machine files, caches and folders already stored in the cloud.

Excluded items won't be restorable from Time Machine, so only exclude things you have elsewhere or can recreate.

Last reviewed October 1, 2026

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How do I exclude folders from Time Machine backups?

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