TimeMachine Backup to a Linux Server

I tested these instructions on Ubuntu Server 22.04, but they should work anywhere you can install Samba.

Install Samba:

sudo apt install samba

Add a specific user for the TimeMachine backup. This user doesn't need a home directory, a Unix password or a login. After creating the user, add a password for Samba.

sudo adduser --no-create-home --disabled-password --disabled-login timemachine
sudo smbpasswd -a timemachine

Edit the Samba config /etc/samba/smb.conf and add the following:

# add these lines for TimeMachine support:
fruit:aapl = yes
fruit:nfs_aces = no
fruit:model = MacSamba
server min protocol = SMB2_02
server max protocol = SMB3
 
# we set multicast to 'no' and install Avahi instead
multicast dns register = no
 
# add a share for TimeMachine:
[TimeMachine]
path = /srv/timemachine
comment = TimeMachine Backup
vfs objects = catia fruit streams_xattr
fruit:time machine = yes
fruit:time machine max size = 2000G
valid users = timemachine
writeable = yes
browseable = yes
guest ok = no

The path must point to an empty directory. The fruit:time machine max size should be at least double the size of your Mac disk.

Start Samba:

sudo systemctl start smbd.service
sudo systemctl enable smbd.service
# or, if you made changes, restart:
sudo systemctl restart smbd.service

You may need to open the following ports in the firewall on your server for Samba to work correctly:

• 137/udp
• 138/udp
• 139/tcp
• 445/tcp

You can also install Avahi, so that your Mac automatically finds the backup volume:

sudo apt install avahi-daemon

Add the service file /etc/avahi/services/samba.service

<?xml version="1.0" standalone='no'?>
<!DOCTYPE service-group SYSTEM "avahi-service.dtd">
<service-group>
  <name replace-wildcards="yes">%h</name>
  <service>
    <type>_smb._tcp</type>
    <port>445</port>
  </service>
  <service>
    <type>_device-info._tcp</type>
    <port>0</port>
    <txt-record>model=MacSamba</txt-record>
  </service>
  <service>
    <type>_adisk._tcp</type>
    <port>9</port>
    <txt-record>dk0=adVN=TimeMachine,adVF=0x82</txt-record>
    <txt-record>sys=waMa=0,adVF=0x100</txt-record>
  </service>
</service-group>

Restart Avahi:

sudo systemctl restart avahi-daemon

You may need to additionally open a port for Avahi:

• 5353/udp

Now you can add this network share as a new backup volume in your TimeMachine settings. It should appear automatically in the available disks if you are in the same network as your server.

• Linux
• TimeMachine

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