Create a Restore of Mac OS Packages

A package is a directory that looks like a single file in Finder. Since a package is just a special folder, Backblaze sees it as a folder and backs it up as such.

If you change a single file in a package, Backblaze does not re-upload the entire package. Since Backblaze accesses the package as a folder and looks at the files inside of the package, it is very efficient for backups because only the new or changed files within the package are backed up.

A common example of a package is the Photos Library.

Exclusions

File type and folder exclusions apply to packages. Since a package is effectively a special folder, an entire package can be excluded by issuing a folder exclusion and choosing the package itself.

File type exclusions are applied to the files within a package as well as files that are not within packages, so take care in issuing or removing file type exclusions.

View Package Contents

1. In Finder, navigate to the package.
2. Control-click the package, and select Show Package Contents.

Locate a Package in your Backup

The Backblaze search feature on the View/Restore Files page works only for files, not folders. To search for a package, you must enter a search term for a file that is inside the package, or simply navigate to the location of the package.

1. Sign in to your Backblaze account.
2. In the left navigation menu under Computer Backup, click View/Restore Files.
3. Scroll to the list of folders and files.
   A package is listed as a folder in the left pane.

Restore a Package

1. Sign in to your Backblaze account.
2. In the left navigation menu under Computer Backup, click View/Restore Files.
3. Scroll to the list of folders and files.
4. To restore the entire package, select the package name.
   The entire package, including all subfolders and files are selected for restore.
5. To restore a few files within the package, click the package name to expand the contents, and select the subfolders and files that you want to restore.
6. Follow the instructions in the Create a Restore (Web UI) procedure.