Timeshift helps to creates backups on demand. It has the ability to create multiple backups on predefined schedules. A user can choose directories and folders of their choice to backup and so on. Basically, Timeshift protects your system by taking incremental snapshots of the file system at regular intervals. These snapshots can be restored at a later date to undo all changes to the system.
Here at LinuxAPT, we shall look into how to install Timeshift on how to install Timeshift on Fedora 36 which is the latest Fedora edition for desktop use.
You can execute the following command to install Timeshift on Fedora:
$ sudo dnf install timeshift
Once installed you can find it in your dashboard by searching "Timeshift".
You can either launch it via dashboard or CLI, both work.
When you will launch Timeshift on Fedora for the first time, you will see the "Setup Wizard" where you can select Snapshot Type.
Select defaults and click ok.
1. Settings
Select the settings button in the top menu bar. You will get into the Settings menu once clicked.
2. Backup Type
We will not change the type of snapshot and will leave the default selected which is RSYNC in our case.
3. Backup Location
We have only one disk in our case. You might have more than one disk, or it could be an external disk for your backups. You can always choose and use whatever location you want. Timeshift does not limit the number of disks.
4. Schedule the number of backups
Now we will schedule a few backups in need. We only prefer one weekly and one monthly backup on my Fedora 34 as it is not a production system. You can select boot back up if you are running important applications on your system. Leave the cron emails option unchecked.
5. Filters
We will leave Users and Misc options as they are. They do not need any change. The remaining option is to filter which directories are to be backed up. In our case, we will choose the default selection. You can exclude and include whatever you like.
6. Create First Backup
We are done with our configurations. We will take our first backup now. Go back to the menu and click "Create" to create the first backup of your system. Timeshift will begin creating the first snapshot.
To uninstall only the timeshift package we can run the following command:
$ sudo dnf remove timeshift
This article covers how to use Timeshift utility to schedule and take multiple backups on Fedora 36 linux system. Timeshift for Linux is an application that provides functionality similar to the System Restore feature in Windows and the Time Machine tool in Mac OS.
