---
id: privacy-safety.does-storage-studio-replace-time-machine
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/privacy-safety/does-storage-studio-replace-time-machine
category: "Privacy & safety"
subcategory: "Keeping your files safe"
question: "Is Storage Studio a replacement for Time Machine or a backup?"
alt_questions:
  - "Is moving files to an external drive a backup?"
  - "storage studio vs backup"
  - "If my external drive dies, do I lose my moved files?"
short_answer: "No. Relocating a folder moves your only copy to the external drive, so it isn't a backup. Keep Time Machine or use Data Backup or Backup Drive so a failed or lost drive doesn't take your files with it."
tags: ["backup", "time machine", "external drive"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/privacy-safety/is-storage-studio-safe-to-use"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Is Storage Studio a replacement for Time Machine or a backup?

No. Moving a folder to your external drive relocates it — there's still only **one** copy, now on the drive. If that drive fails or is lost, files that live only there go with it.

Keep a real backup as well. Time Machine works alongside Storage Studio, and Storage Studio's own **Data Backup** can keep versioned, restorable backups of the folders you choose to another drive or a cloud account you connect. **Backup Drive** can also make a verified copy of your whole working drive onto a second drive.

See [Data Backup](https://storagestudio.us/manual/data-backup).