TimeShift
Return to Linux Backup, rsync, btrfs, Back In Time https://github.com/bit-team/backintime
timeshift is a Linux system restore utility that allows Linux users to create and Linux restore Linux system snapshots. Timeshift is commonly used for Linux backing up system states before performing Linux major updates or Linux changes, ensuring that users can revert to a previous setup if something goes wrong.
https://packages.ubuntu.com/timeshift
https://www.linuxandubuntu.com/home/best-linux-backup-software
https://linuxconfig.org/best-ubuntu-backup-software
brew search timeshift =⇒ Formulae timelimit bowman@i9mini1:~$ sudo apt search timeshift [sudo] password for bowman: btrfs-assistant/oracular 2.1.1-1 amd64
Qt GUI tool to manage Btrfs filesystems
kodi-inputstream-ffmpegdirect/oracular 21.3.5+ds-2 amd64
FFmpegDirect inputstream addon for Kodi
kodi-pvr-dvbviewer/oracular 21.1.2+ds-2 amd64
DVBViewer Kodi PVR Addon
timeshift/oracular 24.06.2-1 amd64
System restore utility
bowman@i9mini1:~$ sudo apt install timeshift -y Installing:
timeshift
Installing dependencies:
libgnomekbd-common libgnomekbd8 libxapp-gtk3-module libxapp1 libxklavier16 xapp-sn-watcher xapps-common
Suggested packages:
mate-xapp-status-applet
Summary:
Upgrading: 0, Installing: 8, Removing: 0, Not Upgrading: 8 Download size: 1,035 kB Space needed: 5,260 kB / 1,513 GB available
Get:1 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu oracular/universe amd64 libgnomekbd-common all 3.28.1-1build3 [5,186 B] Get:2 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu oracular/main amd64 libxklavier16 amd64 5.4-5build2 [43.2 kB] Get:3 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu oracular/universe amd64 libgnomekbd8 amd64 3.28.1-1build3 [46.3 kB] Get:4 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu oracular/universe amd64 xapps-common all 2.8.4-1 [59.0 kB] Get:5 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu oracular/universe amd64 libxapp1 amd64 2.8.4-1 [80.6 kB] Get:6 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu oracular/universe amd64 libxapp-gtk3-module amd64 2.8.4-1 [5,498 B] Get:7 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu oracular/universe amd64 timeshift amd64 24.06.2-1 [763 kB] Get:8 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu oracular/universe amd64 xapp-sn-watcher amd64 2.8.4-1 [32.0 kB] Fetched 1,035 kB in 1s (1,322 kB/s) Selecting previously unselected package libgnomekbd-common. (Reading database … 375213 files and directories currently installed.) Preparing to unpack …/0-libgnomekbd-common_3.28.1-1build3_all.deb … Unpacking libgnomekbd-common (3.28.1-1build3) … Selecting previously unselected package libxklavier16:amd64. Preparing to unpack …/1-libxklavier16_5.4-5build2_amd64.deb … Unpacking libxklavier16:amd64 (5.4-5build2) … Selecting previously unselected package libgnomekbd8:amd64. Preparing to unpack …/2-libgnomekbd8_3.28.1-1build3_amd64.deb … Unpacking libgnomekbd8:amd64 (3.28.1-1build3) … Selecting previously unselected package xapps-common. Preparing to unpack …/3-xapps-common_2.8.4-1_all.deb … Unpacking xapps-common (2.8.4-1) … Selecting previously unselected package libxapp1:amd64. Preparing to unpack …/4-libxapp1_2.8.4-1_amd64.deb … Unpacking libxapp1:amd64 (2.8.4-1) … Selecting previously unselected package libxapp-gtk3-module:amd64. Preparing to unpack …/5-libxapp-gtk3-module_2.8.4-1_amd64.deb … Unpacking libxapp-gtk3-module:amd64 (2.8.4-1) … Selecting previously unselected package timeshift. Preparing to unpack …/6-timeshift_24.06.2-1_amd64.deb … Unpacking timeshift (24.06.2-1) … Selecting previously unselected package xapp-sn-watcher. Preparing to unpack …/7-xapp-sn-watcher_2.8.4-1_amd64.deb … Unpacking xapp-sn-watcher (2.8.4-1) … Setting up libxklavier16:amd64 (5.4-5build2) … Setting up xapps-common (2.8.4-1) … Setting up libgnomekbd-common (3.28.1-1build3) … Processing triggers for desktop-file-utils (0.27-2build1) … Processing triggers for hicolor-icon-theme (0.18-1) … Processing triggers for gnome-menus (3.36.0-1.1ubuntu3) … Processing triggers for libc-bin (2.40-1ubuntu3) … Processing triggers for man-db (2.12.1-3) … Processing triggers for libglib2.0-0t64:amd64 (2.82.1-0ubuntu1) … Setting up libgnomekbd8:amd64 (3.28.1-1build3) … Setting up libxapp1:amd64 (2.8.4-1) … Setting up timeshift (24.06.2-1) … Setting up xapp-sn-watcher (2.8.4-1) … Setting up libxapp-gtk3-module:amd64 (2.8.4-1) … Processing triggers for libc-bin (2.40-1ubuntu3) …
How to run timeshift on Ubuntu after completing sudo apt install timeshift -y to do a snapshot backup?
You've got Timeshift installed—great! Now, let's get it running and create your first system snapshot. Here's how:
**1. Launch Timeshift**
- **GUI:** The easiest way is to open your applications menu and search for “Timeshift.” Click the icon to launch the application.
- **Terminal:** Alternatively, you can open a terminal and type `timeshift-gtk` to launch the graphical interface.
**2. Initial Setup**
The first time you run Timeshift, it will guide you through some initial setup steps:
- **Choose Snapshot Type:** Select “RSYNC” (this is usually the best option for Ubuntu systems using the EXT4 filesystem).
- **Select Snapshot Location:** Choose where you want to store your snapshots.
* **Important:** It's highly recommended to use a separate partition or an external drive for your snapshots. This ensures they are safe even if your main system drive fails.
- **Set Snapshot Levels:** You can configure how many daily, weekly, monthly, and boot snapshots to keep.
- **Include/Exclude Files:** You can fine-tune which files and folders are included or excluded from your snapshots. For most users, the default settings are fine.
**3. Create Your First Snapshot**
Once you've completed the setup, you'll see the main Timeshift window.
- **Click “Create”:** This will initiate the process of creating your first system snapshot.
- **Wait for Completion:** The time it takes will depend on the size of your system and the speed of your storage.
**4. Schedule Automatic Snapshots**
- **Go to “Settings”:** Here, you can configure Timeshift to automatically create snapshots on a schedule (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly).
- **Choose Your Schedule:** Select the frequency that suits your needs.
**Important Notes:**
- **Free Space:** Make sure you have enough free space in your snapshot location to accommodate the snapshots.
- **External Drives:** If you're using an external drive, ensure it's connected and mounted before creating snapshots.
- **Test Your Snapshots:** Periodically, test restoring from a snapshot to ensure everything works as expected.
That's it! You've now successfully set up Timeshift to protect your Ubuntu system. If you have any questions or run into any issues, feel free to ask!