How to Use Timeshift for System Backups on Ubuntu

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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TimeShift is a powerful tool designed to help you manage backups of your Ubuntu system. It allows users to restore their system partition to a previous state. This can be useful when something has gone wrong, such as after a failed upgrade or accidental deletion of important files. In this detailed guide, we will explain how to effectively use TimeShift to create and manage system backups on Ubuntu.

Introduction to Timeshift

Before we dive into the nuances of using TimeShift, let's first understand what it is. TimeShift is an open-source backup tool designed specifically for Linux. Its main function is to create snapshots of your system at specific points in time. These snapshots can be used to restore your system back to the state it was in when the snapshot was taken, making it similar to the System Restore feature found in Windows. TimeShift supports both RSYNC and BTRFS-based snapshots.

Installing TimeShift on Ubuntu

The first step to using TimeShift is to install it on your Ubuntu system. Although TimeShift is not available in the default Ubuntu repositories, it can be installed from a third-party repository managed by its developers. The steps to install TimeShift are as follows:

Open the terminal

First, open the terminal on your Ubuntu system. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T simultaneously or by searching for “Terminal” in your applications menu.

Add the Timeshift PPA

The next step is to add the TimeShift Personal Package Archive (PPA) to your system. Enter the following command in the terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:teejee2008/ppa

This command adds the PPA and updates your package list to include the software from this repository.

Update package list

After adding the new PPA, update your package list with the following command:

sudo apt update

This command makes sure that your system is aware of the latest versions of available packages, including TimeShift.

Install TimeShift

Finally, install TimeShift using the following command:

sudo apt install timeshift

Once the installation is complete, TimeShift will be ready to use.

Configuring TimeShift for Backup

After TimeShift is installed, it must be configured for your backup needs. When you launch TimeShift for the first time, you will encounter a setup wizard. Follow these steps to configure TimeShift:

Select the snapshot type

TimeShift supports two types of snapshots: RSYNC and BTRFS. RSYNC snapshots are suitable for most users because they are compatible with the ext4 file system used by default in Ubuntu. If your file system is formatted with BTRFS, BTRFS snapshots can be used. Choose the type of snapshot according to your needs. If you are unsure, it is safe to choose RSYNC.

Select snapshot location

TimeShift allows you to choose where you want to save your snapshots. It is recommended to save them to an external hard drive or a drive different from the drive you want to back up. This ensures data safety in the event of a drive failure. Choose a location with sufficient storage space and click "Next".

Select the snapshot level

Snapshot levels determine when and how often TimeShift will automatically create snapshots. You can select multiple snapshot levels, such as hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and boot. Enable the levels according to how often you want to backup. Keep in mind that more frequent snapshots require more storage space but are more likely to capture system conditions closer to the time of failure.

Include/Exclude files

By default, TimeShift backs up system files and settings, not user files such as documents and media. This is designed to ensure a clean system restore without interference from user files. However, you can choose to include user directories in the backup if necessary, although this is generally not recommended as it can make the snapshot large and messy.

Creating a manual backup with Timeshift

Although TimeShift can create backups (snapshots) automatically, there may be times when you need to create a manual snapshot before making important system changes. Here's how to create a manual backup using TimeShift:

Open Timeshift

Go to your applications menu and search for "TimeShift." Open the application when you find it. You may have to enter your password, as TimeShift requires administrative privileges to work.

Create a new snapshot

Once TimeShift is running, you will see a "Create" button in the upper-left corner of the window. Click this button to begin creating a new snapshot. TimeShift will calculate the space needed and begin the backup process. This may take some time depending on the size of your data, so be patient.

Restoring your system with TimeShift

Restoring your system using TimeShift is straightforward. If your system experiences problems after using it for a while or updating it, you can revert to a previous state using the snapshot you took. Here's how to restore your system using TimeShift:

Open Timeshift and select a snapshot

Launch Timeshift and you will see all available snapshots, including details like the date and time created. Choose a snapshot from before the problem started. Make sure it is a stable version of your system that you trust.

Restore snapshot

After selecting the desired snapshot, click the "Restore" button. TimeShift will prompt you to confirm your choice. Choose the appropriate option to ensure a full system restore. A common practice is to restore all system files, leaving your personal files intact, unless you are sure they should be restored as well.

The restore process will begin and may take some time depending on the snapshot size and the speed of your system. Once done, restart your computer to complete the process. If everything goes well, your system will be back to the state it was in when the snapshot was created.

Automating backups using Timeshift

Automating backups with TimeShift ensures you have fresh restore points regularly with minimal manual intervention. TimeShift can automatically create snapshots based on the snapshot levels you configured previously. Here's how to make sure your automated backups are running correctly:

Check scheduled tasks

Open TimeShift and make sure the scheduler is enabled for the snapshot levels you want. You can do this by clicking "Settings" and then navigating to "Schedule". Check the checkbox next to each snapshot level you want. You can adjust the number of snapshots to keep at each level, which is useful for managing disk space.

Monitor and verify backups

Check TimeShift's snapshot list regularly to verify that automatic snapshots are being created according to your schedule. By reviewing these snapshots, you can ensure that your backups are up to date and reduce the risk of data loss.

Managing disk space with TimeShift

TimeShift uses disk space to store snapshots, which can accumulate quickly if you take regular snapshots. Here are some strategies for managing disk space when using TimeShift:

Limit the number of snapshots

In the Timeshift settings under "Schedule", you can adjust how many snapshots to retain. By retaining a limited number of recent snapshots, you can prevent disk space from overflowing, as well as ensure that enough snapshots are available for recovery if necessary.

Store snapshots on an external drive

Consider storing your snapshots on an external drive or additional internal storage partition. This strategy can help offload large amounts of data from your main OS partition. By keeping snapshots on separate drives, you also increase their protection from system failures or failures that affect your primary disk.

Conclusion

TimeShift provides a powerful way to protect your Ubuntu system from accidental failures. By automating and scheduling backups, you ensure that your system can be restored to a previous stable state whenever needed. Whether you are creating manual backups before a system upgrade or want to set up regular automatic snapshots, TimeShift provides the flexibility and reliability you need to effectively manage system backups on Ubuntu.

With this knowledge, you are now equipped to harness the full potential of TimeShift, creating robust system backup strategies tailored to your unique needs. Remember to periodically review your backup settings and verify your snapshots to ensure continued protection for your systems.

Further consideration

While TimeShift is a valuable tool for system backups, it primarily creates backups of your system settings and configurations. For comprehensive protection, consider supplementing TimeShift with other backup strategies that address personal data, documents, and irreplaceable files. Options you may want to include are:

• Using cloud storage services: Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive can automatically back up important files to the cloud.
• External hard drives: External drives are used not only for timeshift snapshots, but also for full system and individual file backups.
• Automated scripts: For users comfortable with scripting, creating custom backup scripts can provide an even more customized solution.

By combining TimeShift with these additional methods, you can create a comprehensive backup plan that can protect against a variety of potential data loss scenarios.

Hopefully this guide has provided you with complete information on how to use Timeshift effectively and manage regular backups on your Ubuntu system. Frequent backup maintenance ensures that your workflow continues uninterrupted and any disruptions caused by system issues are minimized in terms of downtime and data loss.

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