Carbonite Support Knowledge Base

Checking Your Backup Progress

When Carbonite finishes backing up a file, the status indicator in the Carbonite application will update. If Carbonite does not appear to be moving, it is most likely backing up a large file.

Determining the Status of Your Backup (Mac 2x)

You can determine the status of your Carbonite backup through the Carbonite icon or the Carbonite User Interface.

Determining the Status of Your Backup (Mac 1x)

You can determine the status of your Carbonite backup through the Carbonite Preference pane.

Determining the Status of Your Backup on Windows

You can check the status of your backup through the Carbonite application.

Known Issue: Legacy FileVault Prevents Carbonite from Backing up Files

Apple's disk encryption, FileVault, prevents Carbonite from backing up files.

Stuck Backup and Backup Errors

Carbonite backs up your computer automatically. However, there may be some instances that prevent Carbonite from backing up your computer properly.

Pausing and Resuming Carbonite (Mac 1x)

You can pause Carbonite from the Carbonite System Preference pane to temporarily stop Carbonite from backing up your Mac.

Pausing and Resuming Carbonite (Mac 2x)

You can pause Carbonite from the Carbonite User Interface to temporarily stop Carbonite from backing up your Mac.

The Carbonite icon is located in your Windows notification area / system tray at the bottom right of your screen. The Carbonite icon can be used to check the status of your backup, view and set options, and/or get assistance.

Low Priority Mode (Mac 1x)

By default, Carbonite backs up your files as quickly as possible without interfering with your important tasks. Placing Carbonite in Low Priority mode causes it to use less of your available bandwidth during backup, thereby freeing up bandwidth for other services.

How to Speed up Your Backup and Restore

The speed of your Internet connection is the primary factor for how fast you can back up or restore your files. Your backup and restore speed will also depend on the speed of your computer, the amount of data selected for backup/restore, and the amount of strain your other programs and services have on your internet connection.

Getting Started with Carbonite Safe

You can use the Carbonite application to back up your files to Carbonite’s secure servers. When you need to get your files back, you can use Carbonite to restore your files at any time.

Configuring Full Disk Access for Carbonite (Mac 2x)

Apple's Full Disk Access restricts third-party apps like Carbonite from accessing your files. As a result, you must add Carbonite to Full Disk Access so Carbonite can back up and restore your files.

Selecting Files for Backup

Carbonite automatically selects the data associated with your computer profiles. You can select additional data by right-clicking on the file or folder and selecting Carbonite; Back this up.

Known Issue: After Windows System Recovery Carbonite May Stop Backing Up

In rare cases, a Windows System Restore may downgrade Carbonite to an older version or stop the backup from working.

Backup Overdue for Carbonite Safe

Carbonite will send backup overdue emails if your computers have not backed up after 14 days. You can restart your computer or reinstall Carbonite to resume backing up or ignore the notices if you shut down the computer for that time.

Installing Carbonite Safe and Initial Backup Selections (Mac 2x)

After you set up your Carbonite Safe account, you can install Carbonite to start backing up your files.

Installing Carbonite Safe and Initial Backup Selections

After you set up your Carbonite Safe account, you can install Carbonite to start backing up your files.

Installing Carbonite Safe and Initial Backup Selections (Mac 1x)

After you set up your Carbonite Safe account, you can install Carbonite to start backing up your files.

Transferring Carbonite Safe Between Windows and Mac

You can transfer your existing Carbonite Safe subscription from Windows to a Mac computer.

Renewing Your Carbonite Safe Backup Pro Subscription

You can renew or upgrade your Carbonite Safe Pro subscription through your Company Dashboard. Your renewal options depend on your original purchase of Carbonite, but you will have the option to keep your current subscription or to upgrade or downgrade your subscription.

About Fallback Policies

If a policy was incorrectly done or not correctly deployed, you will receive one of two messages in the Carbonite application. The easiest way to fix the issue is to sign into the Carbonite account to make backup policy adjustments and associate them with the account.

Installing Carbonite Safe Backup Pro and Initial Backup Selections

After Carbonite Safe Pro Users and Administrators have completed their registration, they can sign into their account and install Carbonite Safe Pro on their computer. When installing Carbonite for the first time, you have the option to begin your backup with Automatic or Manual selections.

Transferring Your Carbonite Safe Subscription to Restore Files (Mac 2x)

You can transfer your Carbonite Safe subscription to restore your files to another computer.

Carbonite Plans and Features

This article covers the Carbonite Safe plans, features, and prices.

Locating Your Files After a Restore

Carbonite can restore your files to their original location or a new location of your choosing. If your files do not appear in their original locations, check your user folders (e.g. My Documents, Pictures, My Music, etc.).

Installing Carbonite Safe Backup Pro on Older Operating Systems

This article contains instructions for installing Carbonite Safe Backup Pro on computers running Windows XP, Vista and Server 2003.

Backup Overdue for Carbonite Safe Backup Pro

If your backup is not progressing normally, reboot your computer. Rebooting often resolves minor backup issues and allows Carbonite to connect to our servers. When the computer powers back on, allow all startup processes to complete before attempting to open and check Carbonite. If your backup doesn't resume after rebooting the computer, you can uninstall and reinstall Carbonite to refresh its connection to our servers.

Difficulty Backing Up Drives Encrypted by Software

While enabled, disk encryption programs prevent Carbonite from performing backup operations.

Entering and Exiting Recover Mode

When Carbonite scans for files to back up, it removes files you delete from the backup after 30 or 60 days to ensure your backup is up to date. You can enter Recover Mode to stop this timer if you need more time to restore your files. After your files are safely restored, you can exit Recover Mode to start backing up your files again.

How to Determine if Carbonite is Installed (Mac 1x)

When Carbonite is installed and running correctly, you will see a black padlock icon in your Apple menu. If you do not see this, you may need to unhide it from System Preferences or reinstall Carbonite.

Installing Carbonite Safe Backup Pro and Initial Backup Selections (Mac 1x)

After Carbonite Safe Pro Users and Administrators have completed their registration, they can sign into their account and install Carbonite Safe Pro on their computer. When installing Carbonite for the first time, you have the option to begin your backup with Automatic or Manual selections.

Installing Carbonite Safe Backup Pro and Initial Backup Selections (Mac 2x)

After Carbonite Safe Pro Users and Administrators have completed their registration, they can sign into their account and install Carbonite Safe Pro on their computer. When installing Carbonite for the first time, you have the option to begin your backup with Automatic or Manual selections.

Backup Overdue for Carbonite Safe (Mac 2x)

Carbonite will automatically send out backup overdue emails if your computer hasn't connected to Carbonite within 14 days.

The Backup Settings Page / Settings Tab for Carbonite Safe

You can configure Carbonite's settings so that system resources are used more efficiently. The Settings tab of the Carbonite InfoCenter (or the Backup settings page of the Carbonite application) allows you to toggle Carbonite's default backup selections, control how Carbonite uses Internet bandwidth, toggle Carbonite's colored status dots on or off, and set a backup schedule.

Backing Up Files on an External Hard Drive

You can back up files on a compatible external hard drive with Carbonite.

Transferring Your Carbonite Safe Subscription to Restore Files (Mac 1x)

You can move your Carbonite subscription to a new or repaired computer by signing into your Carbonite account and installing the Carbonite Safe software on the new computer.

Backup Overdue for Carbonite Safe Backup Pro (Mac 2x)

If your backup is not progressing normally, restart your computer. If your backup doesn't resume after restarting the computer, you can uninstall and reinstall Carbonite to refresh its connection to our servers.

Migrating from Carbonite Mac 1x to Mac 2x

To enhance the customer experience, we are providing a migration path from the legacy Mac version (1.x) to the latest version (2.x). Due to technical differences between the two versions, backups cannot be directly upgraded. As a result, customers will need to start a new backup after installing version 2.x.

Configuring Full Disk Access for Carbonite (Mac 1x)

With the release of macOS Catalina, Carbonite must be granted access to Full Disk Access to allow the backup and restore of your files.

Searching For Files to Restore

You can use Carbonite's Search and Restore function to restore files to their original location or to the desktop.

Getting Started with Carbonite Safe Backup Pro

Signing up with Carbonite will keep your computer protected from accidental data loss and possible corruption. Users and administrators can be invited to join the company through the Dashboard. Once they are invited, they will receive an email with instructions on how to complete the registration. When you add a computer to a user or administrator, they will receive instructions on how to complete the installation. During the installation, you can select the Automatic setup and Carbonite will include your user folders and desktop, or you can choose to customize your options with the Advanced setup. You can add a file or folder by right-clicking on it and selecting Carbonite; Back this up. Whether you are restoring one file or all your files, Carbonite makes the process quick and easy.

Getting Started with Carbonite Safe Backup Pro (Mac 2x)

Signing up with Carbonite will keep your computer protected from accidental data loss and possible corruption. Users and Administrators can be invited to join the company through the Dashboard. Once invited, they will receive an email with instructions to complete the registration. When you add a computer to a User or Administrator, they will receive instructions to complete the installation. During the installation, you can select the automatic setup for Carbonite to include your user folders and desktop, or you can choose to customize your setup options. You can add a file or folder through the Carbonite application. Whether you are restoring one file or all of your files, Carbonite makes the process quick and easy.

Carbonite Icon Notification Area Meanings

The Carbonite icon displays information about your Carbonite backup at a glance.

Carbonite Release Notes (Mac 2x)

You can view the latest Carbonite release notes in this article.

Restore Speed

Recovering small amounts of data (a few files here or there) usually takes only a few seconds or minutes. Restoring all of your data will take longer depending on how much data you have and the speed of your ISP.

Backing Up Files on an External Hard Drive (Mac 2x)

You can use Carbonite to back up files on a Mac external hard drive from the Carbonite application.

Virtual Machines

You can use Carbonite to back up data files located on a Virtual Machine. Files located on Virtual Machines must be visible to your computer's file management system for Carbonite to be capable of backing them up. Carbonite recommends that you do not attempt to back up the operating files of Virtual Machines.

Renewing Your Carbonite Safe Subscription

You can renew your Carbonite Safe subscription to continue backing up your files.

FAQ: What Is Cloud Backup?

What Is cloud backup?

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