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Change the Time Machine Backup Interval

By default the Time Machine in Leopard backs up files that have changed in the last hour. If you want to change the interval from an hour, there is no direct option that allows you to do this. But if you are comfortable using the terminal, you can change the backup interval for Time Machine. Just get a terminal window open and enter the following:

sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.backupd-auto StartInterval -int 1800

You'll be asked to enter the admin password for your machine.

The last enter in the line above, 1800, is the backup interval in seconds. 1800 seconds is every 30 minutes. You can increase or decrease this time as you like. TO get the default value of one hour back, use 3600.
Rating: 80% positive, 5 total Votes
Categories: Leopard Time Machine customization backup
Added: on Dec 04, 2007 at 7:42 am
Added By: an anonymous user
Searches: time machine backup leopard interval

Comments on this Tip

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Is there any limit to the number used. Example if I use 84600 will that set back up intervals to 24 hours?
– Added by an anonymous user on Oct 26, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Try and tell us :)
– Added by an anonymous user on Nov 07, 2008 at 8:15 am
I tried it and it didn't work, intervals just got screwed up.
– Added by an anonymous user on Dec 02, 2008 at 6:16 pm
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