Apple Releases MobileMe Backup 3.2 - Free Download

Attempting to improve the reliability of backup restore, as well as space use on iDisk, or local storage, Apple has rolled out MobileMe Backup v3.2, a software update to its backup utility meant to be used with MobileMe. The latter is Apple’s online service that automatically keeps your email, contacts, calendar, and bookmarks in sync across all your devices (computers, iPhone, iPod touch), and a suite of web apps.

“Backup 3.2 is recommended for all users of Backup 3,” the update’s description reads. “This update improves the reliability of backup restore and uses space more efficiently on your iDisk or local storage (e.g. external hard drive or DVD),” Apple explains. The company then directs users to a knowledge base article on the Support section of its website, where it talks about how recycling works in Backup 3.2.

“When backing up to iDisk, older backups are recycled every 30 days for daily backup plans and every 12 weeks for weekly backup plans,” the company states. It provides a relevant example saying that, “If you are backing up to your iDisk on a daily basis, Backup will maintain a minimum of 30 days of backup history. You may choose not to recycle when backing up to a hard disk, CD, or DVD, but recycling is recommended as it uses storage space more efficiently and improves reliability when restoring your data.” A recycling schedule for automatic backups is then provided.

Elsewhere on its Support area, Apple stresses that users should not use Backup 3.1.1 with Mac OS X v10.5. Instead, “Update to Backup 3.1.2 or later,” Apple claims, noting that Backup 3.2 is actually the recommended update for all MobileMe members. If users don’t follow Apple’s advice, they may experience the followings issues, according to the Support article in question: backup stops responding when attempting to restore; various alert messages appear when backing up.

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