Technology at home
Make a checklist for checking your backups
A backup you have never tested is a guess. Restoring a few sample files, without touching the originals, tells you whether the backup will hold up when you need it.
A text to start with
Help me make a checklist for verifying my external hard drive backup. I use Time Machine on a MacBook. I want to confirm that recent files are present, restore a small sample into a separate folder, check that the restored files open, and record the date of the check. The originals must stay untouched throughout.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.What to check in the answer
Restored files should go into a separate folder, never over the originals. The list should have you check the date of the newest backup, since a drive that mounts says little about what is on it. Only opening restored files shows whether they are intact. If any step involves restoring system files or replacing something currently in use, skip it and read Apple's support documentation first.
What to do next
Pick a schedule you will keep, such as once a quarter, and write down the date and what you verified each time. If a restored file fails to open, find out why before trusting the backup. Over time, the log also shows how far back your backup history actually reaches.