I have an IDrive account which allows me to login to the IDrive for Windows application. However, I am unable to login to my account using IDrive for Mac application. Why?

IDrive for Mac OS X account is not inter-operable with IDrive for Windows as they work on different technologies.

You will not be able to login if you use the IDrive for Windows Username and Password to login to the IDrive for Mac application. For this you need a Mac specific account.

How do I install IDrive for Mac?

Follow the steps listed below to install the application:

1. Download the application. Double-click IDriveforMac.dmg and then IDriveforMac.pkg. The 'Welcome to the IDrive for Mac Installer' screen is displayed.

2. Click 'Continue' to proceed with the installation. The 'Software License Agreement' screen appears. Click 'Agree' to proceed.

3. Select the location where you want to install the application, using 'Change Installation Location' and click 'Install'.

4. A screen is displayed for verification. Enter the valid system password (administrator password) and click 'OK'.

On successful installation, the 'Installation Succeeded' message is displayed.

When I login to my IDrive for Mac account for the first time on a machine, I notice that some data has already been scheduled for backup. Why?

IDrive for Mac is an automated online backup application. To safeguard your critical data, the Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Library, Music, Movies and Pictures folders are selected for backup by default, with the scheduled time set to 'off-peak hours'. If these settings are not altered, the application commences the backup of the default Backup set once the scheduled backup time is reached. However, you can change the settings.

On a first login to your account, a screen is displayed as below from where you can edit the Backup set and schedule parameters.

If I perform frequent backups, would I end up using my quota quickly?

IDrive for Mac deploys an intelligent incremental backup system where changes to contents of the Backup set are sent to the IDrive for Mac servers. If data is removed / deleted / reduced, the space used in the account reduces. The latest file copy is used to compute your quota. Also, the 'Snapshots' related storage is not taken into account while calculating your quota.

I have deleted some unwanted files / folders from my IDrive for Mac account, yet the 'Used Quota' remains unchanged. Why?

The 'Used Quota' information is not displayed in real-time but computed on a periodical basis. For updated information click the 'Recalculate' button. For accounts with large number of files the process may take a while.

I have received a quota overuse message. What should I do?

Login to your IDrive for Mac account from the website and click the 'Upgrade Account' link to upgrade your account.

How does IDrive for Mac secure my data?

IDrive for Mac uses 128-bit SSL encryption to transfer your data between the application and the server.

What is meant by Incremental backup?

By default, the IDrive for Mac application transfers only the modified portions of your backed up files after full initial backup. This optimizes your bandwidth usage and ensures that backups are quick.

How can I regulate my Internet bandwidth usage for IDrive for Mac?

The Bandwidth Throttle feature lets you optimize the bandwidth to be used by IDrive for Mac. You can set separate bandwidths for the backups when the system is in use and when it is not.

Bandwidth Throttle (when system is not in use): This option lets you set the bandwidth to be used by your system for backups when it is not in use. By default, it is set to 100%.

Note: The percentage set for Bandwidth Throttle is applicable for both scheduled and interactive backups.

Bandwidth Throttle (when system is in use): Select the 'Auto-Pause' check box to use this option.

Auto-Pause option makes intelligent guesses on pausing and resuming backup to enable optimum desktop appearances during user activity.

This option lets you set the bandwidth to be used by your system for backups when it is in use. This allows other applications to run without hindrance. By default, it is set to 25%.

How do I locate files / folders in my IDrive for Mac account?

To locate files / folders backed up to your IDrive for Mac account, enter the search term (like the full or partial file / folder name) and press the 'Enter' key. Entries matching the search criteria are displayed and can be restored or deleted.

What is the Sync feature and how does it work?

The Sync feature lets you match the contents in your IDrive for Mac online account with your Mac. This is a useful option if you have removed data from your computer and wish to do the same automatically from your account.

To use this feature, select the folder(s) / drive(s) in your account that you want to sync and click the 'Sync' icon. A list of files not present on your Mac but still available in your online account are listed. On clicking 'Sync' they are removed from your account.

I have backed up data from multiple computers to my IDrive for Mac account. Can I bring them in Sync?

Yes. In order to Sync files / folders inside the Multiple Mac folder, follow the below steps:

1. Ensure that 'Multiple Mac Backup' feature is enabled.
2. Locate the folder in your IDrive account with the same name as the Mac machine.

What is the Automatic Sync feature?

'Automatic Sync' syncs files between your Mac and IDrive for Mac account with a lag of 30-days (applicable only for scheduled backups). In other words, if data is removed from your Mac that was previously backed up, the corresponding data in your online account is deleted after 30-days. This is useful in keeping your account size at optimal. As a precautionary measure, in case the files to be deleted are greater than 5% of the total account content, you would have to run a manual sync.*

To access this option, go to Preferences > General > Automatic Sync.

Note: This may result in automatic deletion of data from your IDrive for Mac account. Set this option carefully.

* The percentage mention refers to files considered for deletion in your account as a percentage of total number of files. The purpose of this percentage based control is to avoid large deletion of files in your account due to some unforeseen event on your Mac.

What are log reports?

To view logs, from the system menu, go to Log > Session Log. On clicking it, a screen is displayed that lists your backup and restore sessions. Click on an entry to view the details of the job. Alternately, click the 'Session Log' icon on the tool bar.

To see logs of your entire interactive backup and restore operations, from the menu bar, go to Log > Interactive Log.

How do I delete data from my IDrive for Mac account?

Select the files / folders that you wish to delete from your IDrive for Mac account under 'My IDrive' and click the 'Delete' icon on the toolbar.

Does IDrive work on Intel Mac?

Yes. IDrive for Mac is a universal binary and works on Power PC (PPC) and Intel Mac.

How do I uninstall the IDrive for Mac application?

Follow the steps given below to uninstall the application:

1. Go to File > New Finder Window > Applications > IDrive for Mac and double-click the IDriveUninstaller.app. The 'Welcome to IDrive for Mac Uninstaller' screen is displayed.

2. Click 'Continue' to proceed and 'Yes' in the subsequent window.

3. A screen is displayed for verification. Enter the valid system password (administrator password) and click OK. On successful uninstallation, the 'Successfully uninstalled IDrive for Mac' message appears.

How do I schedule backups?

To schedule backups using IDrive for Mac, follow the steps listed below:

1. Select the files / folders from the left-hand pane of the application.
2. Click the 'Schedule Backup' button.
3. Set the day, time and frequency for backup.
4. You can opt to receive email / desktop notifications on completion of the backup operation.

Can I schedule full and incremental backup on specific days?

IDrive for Mac does not have the conventional concept of full and incremental backups (where modified data is stored separately from full backup). Every backup is basically a full backup with an incremental effect.

IDrive for Mac overwrites the full backup with the modifications made to it during backup. In other words, you have 'full backup' results each time. This helps in fast restores when needed.

IDrive for Mac uses advanced patching technology to determine the changed data at source and apply only the modified blocks on to the data at IDrive for Mac. No efficiency is lost due to IDrive for Mac's methodology of updating full backups directly every time.

Is it possible to receive email notifications on the status of my backup jobs?

Yes. If you select the email notification option, you would receive emails on the status of your scheduled backup job.

On choosing the 'Notify always' option, you are notified on your backup status irrespective of its failure or success. In case you wish to receive this notification only on backup failure, choose the 'Notify on failure' option.

I am not receiving an email notification for my scheduled backup(s). Why?

Ensure that you have enabled the notification option from the scheduler, provided a valid email address and selected the 'Notify always' option.

It is possible that email notifications from IDrive for Mac might mistakenly be getting filtered out as Spam and reaching your Spam or Bulk mail folder.

For a confirmation on the backup jobs, you can also view the logs.

How can I perform an immediate backup without signing into the application?

Click the 'IDrive Monitor' status item on the system menu bar and click 'Backup Now'. This will immediately execute backups for the Backup set provided you have created one and logged into the application at least once before.

How do I perform an Interactive backup?

You can perform interactive data backup by selecting the files / folders (from 'My Files' view) and clicking the 'Backup Now' button.

Can I drag-n-drop my files to back them up?

Yes. You can drag-n-drop your files / folders to back them up.

Drag the desired data from the left pane of the application (My Files) or the Finder to your IDrive for Mac account (My IDrive). It is also possible to drag-n-drop files (including pictures, music and video) to your online account even while they are in use.

Can I drag-n-drop data to restore it?

Yes. You can drag-n-drop your files / folders to restore them.

Drag the desired data from your IDrive for Mac account (My IDrive) to the left pane (My Files) or the Finder.

Does IDrive for Mac support backup of files / folders from mapped / network / external drives?

Yes. The contents to be backed up must be a part of the Backup set and available at the time of backup.

I am backing up an external network drive to my IDrive for Mac account. If I use a new Mac machine with the same external network drive attached to it, will it impact the backups?

No. Your files will be backed up to the same destination in your IDrive for Mac account provided the external network drive name is not changed.

Will my backups take place even when my Mac is in the sleep mode?

Yes. Your scheduled backups will take place even in the sleep mode if you select the ‘Wake up computer from sleep mode during scheduled job' check box under Preferences > General.

Do I need to enter my password to wake up the computer from the sleep mode to run the scheduled backup?

No. The scheduled backup will take place whether or not you provide your Username / Password on being prompted when your system wakes up.

What does IDrive for Mac do if the Internet connection is interrupted during a backup session?

IDrive for Mac resumes the backup from the point that it was interrupted.

When will IDrive for Mac resume the session if it has missed one (e.g. The computer has been abruptly turned off) or interrupted?

IDrive for Mac performs scheduled backup job at the next transfer time.

How do I view the status of my scheduled backups?

The status of your scheduled backups can be viewed using the IDrive for Mac Monitor status item on the system menu bar.

Click 'View Log' to see the log files of the recent sessions.

Can I halt my backups at a particular time?

Yes. Using the 'Cut off time for scheduled job' option, you can stop the scheduled backup at the specific time. The backup is resumed at the next scheduled time from the point it was stopped. To enable it, go to Preferences > General tab and select the 'Cut off time for scheduled job' check box.

Can I exclude data from backup?

You can exclude data from backup using the 'Exclude' Tab in the 'Preferences' window. For this, click the 'plus' icon and use the navigation window to select the files / folders that you wish to exclude.

By default, some files and folders, including all hidden files and folders, are excluded from backup by the IDrive for Mac application. To backup the excluded items, clear the check boxes.

Files and folders excluded from backup are highlighted in orange on the main IDrive for Mac application screen.

Can I backup data from multiple computers to a single IDrive for Mac account?

Using the 'Multiple Mac Backup' feature, you can backup data from multiple computers to a single IDrive for Mac account. It prevents data overlap in case you have files / folders with similar names stored on multiple machines.

On enabling this feature, your data is backed up to a folder with the same name as that of your computer. All future backups from this computer will take place inside this folder.

Does IDrive for Mac backup files that contain extended attribute i.e. resource fork data?

No. IDrive for Mac does not backup files that contain extended attributes i.e. resource fork data.

How do I restore files / folders from my IDrive for Mac account to the local machine?

Select the files / folders that you need to restore from your IDrive for Mac account to your local machine. Click the 'Restore' button. The 'Where to Restore' screen is displayed using which you can specify the path.

Note: Files / folders restored to their original location are overwritten (if they already exist).

One of the two IDrive for Mac accounts I hold has expired. I had scheduled backup job from both the accounts. I want to delete the same from the account that has expired while retaining the jobs for the other account. Is this possible?

Yes, you can delete the scheduled backup / restore jobs using the 'Manage all the Scheduled Jobs' feature in IDrive for Mac.

Click the IDrive Monitor status item on the system menu bar and select 'Manage all the Scheduled Jobs'. Select the scheduled backup jobs from the list shown in the Manage all the Scheduled jobs main screen and click Delete.

The IDrive for Mac application has not backed up some files inside the bundle / file package. Why?

This could be because the files are Mac OS X files or hidden or the file names contain special characters. We recommend that you compress (zip) the entire bundle / file package and try backup.

Can I access my backed up data from my account by logging in from the web?

Yes. Login to your IDrive for Mac account from www.idrive.com to access and manage your data.

How far back in time can I go if I need to retrieve a file that is missing or damaged?

IDrive for Mac retains earlier file copies via Snapshots technology. Snapshots are point-in-time images of the file at a particular time, everyday. The current limit for Snapshots is set for 10 days and this may change without notice. This implies that in case you had a prior version that was backed up in the last 10 days, you should be able recover via Snapshots technology.

For details, see Snapshots related FAQs.

I have backed up data to my IDrive for Mac account. Can I restore it to my Windows machine?

Yes. Download and install the Windows Restore Plug-in on your Windows machine. Login with your IDrive for Mac Username and Password. Select the files and folders that you want to restore and click the 'Restore' button.

What are Snapshots?

IDrive for Mac allows historical view of data by way of Snapshots. They are useful in case you accidentally delete files stored in your account and want them to be restored to your local machine.

The available daily Snapshots have been set to 10 (this may change without notice). The additional storage requirements for Snapshots have no impact on your account quota usage.

Once you click the 'Snapshot' icon, you can see files stored in your IDrive for Mac account during the previous days under newly created folders, with date, nightly.* or weekly.* extensions.

nightly.0 extension refers to the most recent Snapshot.
nightly.1 extension refers to the Snapshot that is a day older vis-à-vis the most recent Snapshot.
nightly.2 extension refers to the Snapshot that is two days older vis-à-vis the most recent Snapshot. You can restore the files which you need from these directories just as you would, for any file or directory.

How do I configure Snapshots using the IDrive for Mac application?

To enable the Snapshots, click the 'Snapshots' icon on the tool bar or select the 'Show Snapshots' check box under Preference > General.

I have lost a file, which was probably backed up four days back from my Mac. How do I restore it?

You can restore files that were backed up earlier using 'Snapshots'. If you recall the name of the folder in which the file was stored, then try and navigate to the file / folder starting from folder nightly.3. This could contain the data that you backed up four days ago. If not, try nightly.4. Once you locate the file, simply restore it. (IDrive for Mac does not have the concept of separate full and incremental backup files, as the latter are directly written on top of the full backup).