An Apple Disaster You can Avoid
https://preview.redd.it/ccfvwrfy6y6g1.png?width=718&format=png&auto=webp&s=2acbb27161be1f9521623e0e3d1c7d79c481e1ee
I've been on a small crusade for the past year to persuade people who have gone all in on the Apple ecosystem to diversify the back end of their digital lives. Anyone who scoffs at using third-party services for mail, contacts, messages, reminders, cloud storage, music, books, notes, etc. in the name of frugality or out of love for a corporation is putting themselves in a situation that is one step away from a nightmare should they lose access to their Apple ID. Most people think it could never happen to them, but they are wrong. It can happen to anyone.
There's [a story making the rounds today](https://hey.paris/posts/appleid/) about a man whose account was locked by Apple after he unwittingly bought and tried to use a compromised $500 Apple Gift Card from a major brick-and-mortar retailer. Some sort of automatic fraud prevention closed his Apple account, and no amount of phone calls to support and every other available means of contacting Apple has been able to remedy this disaster. This is no ordinary user. The victim in this case is the author of numerous books on Apple programming languages and the organizer of the largest Apple conference in his native country (Australia). His relationship with the company goes back decades.
He can no longer sync his devices. He can't access thousands of dollars in App Store purchases. He's locked out of terabytes of family photographs. He says, "My iPhone, iPad, Watch, and Macs cannot sync, update, or function properly. I have lost access to thousands of dollars in purchased software and media."
This is the exact reason why I chose to use different providers for as many services as possible. If I were in his shoes, I'd still lose a lot, but I wouldn't lose everything like he has. I wasn't aware until I looked into it that you can use many of Apple's apps without using iCloud as the back end. Mail, Calendar, Reminders, Contacts, and other features work just fine with other service providers.
My personal stack that works just fine on my Apple hardware includes:
* [Fastmail](https://appaddict.app/post/fmail2-for-fastmail) for mail, calendars, and contacts (works with Apple's apps)
* [Obsidian](https://obsidian.amerpie.lol/) for notes
* [Koofr](https://appaddict.app/post/koofr-european-based-cloud-storage-provider-with-a-generous-free-tier) and [Kdrive](https://www.infomaniak.com/en/ksuite/kdrive) for cloud storage (works with Finder)
* [Homebrew](https://appaddict.app/post/applite-updated-with-new-features) for apps
* [Signal](https://signal.org/download/macos/) for messages
* Non-DRM music (works with the Apple Music app)
* Non-DRM books (works with Apple's Books app and [Calibre](https://appaddict.app/post/calibre-keeps-getting-better))
* Non-DRM audiobooks (using [AudioBookshelf](https://www.audiobookshelf.org/))
* Non-DRM movies and TV (using [Plex](https://appaddict.app/post/how-my-self-hosted-server-fits-my-mac-life) on an Apple TV)
Lest anyone accuse me of being some sort of Apple hater, let me assure you that I am not. I've held Apple certifications since Mac OS X 10.2 Tiger. I've been a Mac user since the 90s. I'm retired from a career in ed-tech that involved supporting tens of thousands of Macs. I've owned Mac laptops, desktops, iPods, iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, Apple Watches, and Apple Base Stations. My Mac App Store lifetime purchases are over $6,000. My post-retirement hobby is running an Apple software blog. Don't @ me.
https://redd.it/1pliahh
@macappsbackup
https://preview.redd.it/ccfvwrfy6y6g1.png?width=718&format=png&auto=webp&s=2acbb27161be1f9521623e0e3d1c7d79c481e1ee
I've been on a small crusade for the past year to persuade people who have gone all in on the Apple ecosystem to diversify the back end of their digital lives. Anyone who scoffs at using third-party services for mail, contacts, messages, reminders, cloud storage, music, books, notes, etc. in the name of frugality or out of love for a corporation is putting themselves in a situation that is one step away from a nightmare should they lose access to their Apple ID. Most people think it could never happen to them, but they are wrong. It can happen to anyone.
There's [a story making the rounds today](https://hey.paris/posts/appleid/) about a man whose account was locked by Apple after he unwittingly bought and tried to use a compromised $500 Apple Gift Card from a major brick-and-mortar retailer. Some sort of automatic fraud prevention closed his Apple account, and no amount of phone calls to support and every other available means of contacting Apple has been able to remedy this disaster. This is no ordinary user. The victim in this case is the author of numerous books on Apple programming languages and the organizer of the largest Apple conference in his native country (Australia). His relationship with the company goes back decades.
He can no longer sync his devices. He can't access thousands of dollars in App Store purchases. He's locked out of terabytes of family photographs. He says, "My iPhone, iPad, Watch, and Macs cannot sync, update, or function properly. I have lost access to thousands of dollars in purchased software and media."
This is the exact reason why I chose to use different providers for as many services as possible. If I were in his shoes, I'd still lose a lot, but I wouldn't lose everything like he has. I wasn't aware until I looked into it that you can use many of Apple's apps without using iCloud as the back end. Mail, Calendar, Reminders, Contacts, and other features work just fine with other service providers.
My personal stack that works just fine on my Apple hardware includes:
* [Fastmail](https://appaddict.app/post/fmail2-for-fastmail) for mail, calendars, and contacts (works with Apple's apps)
* [Obsidian](https://obsidian.amerpie.lol/) for notes
* [Koofr](https://appaddict.app/post/koofr-european-based-cloud-storage-provider-with-a-generous-free-tier) and [Kdrive](https://www.infomaniak.com/en/ksuite/kdrive) for cloud storage (works with Finder)
* [Homebrew](https://appaddict.app/post/applite-updated-with-new-features) for apps
* [Signal](https://signal.org/download/macos/) for messages
* Non-DRM music (works with the Apple Music app)
* Non-DRM books (works with Apple's Books app and [Calibre](https://appaddict.app/post/calibre-keeps-getting-better))
* Non-DRM audiobooks (using [AudioBookshelf](https://www.audiobookshelf.org/))
* Non-DRM movies and TV (using [Plex](https://appaddict.app/post/how-my-self-hosted-server-fits-my-mac-life) on an Apple TV)
Lest anyone accuse me of being some sort of Apple hater, let me assure you that I am not. I've held Apple certifications since Mac OS X 10.2 Tiger. I've been a Mac user since the 90s. I'm retired from a career in ed-tech that involved supporting tens of thousands of Macs. I've owned Mac laptops, desktops, iPods, iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, Apple Watches, and Apple Base Stations. My Mac App Store lifetime purchases are over $6,000. My post-retirement hobby is running an Apple software blog. Don't @ me.
https://redd.it/1pliahh
@macappsbackup
Do not buy ForkLift 4 and good news about Transmit
There’s a few posts in here mentioning how bad is Forklift 4 as a Finder replacement, my primary use case is for remote file transfers so I gave it a try.
After buying a license, I emailed them several times about UI bugs, translation mistakes, etc. and my emails were promptly responded. The real problem for me is that ForkLift is just terrible for remote transfers. I sent them an email with videos showing how downloading a 20mb folder takes around 2 minutes with Transmit but with ForkLift takes 7 minutes, I needed to move several sites to a different server and some folders have around 7/10 GB of files so using ForkLift was basically impossible.
They told me they suspected that there was some issue while ForkLift is calculating the folder size and copying at the beginning because the upload speed is extremely slow while the calculation is still happening, after that is done, the speed gets faster. When in Transmit, Transmits knows the size right away.
They wanted access to my server to investigate the issue and told me "We will give you a refund if we can't fix this issue or even if we can but you want a refund".
I explained that I couldn’t give access to my production server, and I had less than 5 days to move all the sites so I had to use Transmit and requested a refund. Since then, they’ve completely stopped replying, no refund and no response for two weeks when at the beginning they were replying in 2/3 days.
It’s a shame they’re handling it this way. I also had a ForkLift 3 license, it wasn’t perfect, but it worked way better than ForkLift 4.
So I gave up un ForkLift and decided to contact Panic to ask about the future of Transmit and they told me that they're in the early stages of what will come next for Transmit and already have a list for beta testers so if you are interested, contact Panic and let them know you want to be added to the list.
If you are looking for a remote file transfer app, do not buy ForkLift 4, the app is not reliable, has a lot of bugs, can't be used for work and they will not provide a refund even when they say they will.
https://redd.it/1pljo99
@macappsbackup
There’s a few posts in here mentioning how bad is Forklift 4 as a Finder replacement, my primary use case is for remote file transfers so I gave it a try.
After buying a license, I emailed them several times about UI bugs, translation mistakes, etc. and my emails were promptly responded. The real problem for me is that ForkLift is just terrible for remote transfers. I sent them an email with videos showing how downloading a 20mb folder takes around 2 minutes with Transmit but with ForkLift takes 7 minutes, I needed to move several sites to a different server and some folders have around 7/10 GB of files so using ForkLift was basically impossible.
They told me they suspected that there was some issue while ForkLift is calculating the folder size and copying at the beginning because the upload speed is extremely slow while the calculation is still happening, after that is done, the speed gets faster. When in Transmit, Transmits knows the size right away.
They wanted access to my server to investigate the issue and told me "We will give you a refund if we can't fix this issue or even if we can but you want a refund".
I explained that I couldn’t give access to my production server, and I had less than 5 days to move all the sites so I had to use Transmit and requested a refund. Since then, they’ve completely stopped replying, no refund and no response for two weeks when at the beginning they were replying in 2/3 days.
It’s a shame they’re handling it this way. I also had a ForkLift 3 license, it wasn’t perfect, but it worked way better than ForkLift 4.
So I gave up un ForkLift and decided to contact Panic to ask about the future of Transmit and they told me that they're in the early stages of what will come next for Transmit and already have a list for beta testers so if you are interested, contact Panic and let them know you want to be added to the list.
If you are looking for a remote file transfer app, do not buy ForkLift 4, the app is not reliable, has a lot of bugs, can't be used for work and they will not provide a refund even when they say they will.
https://redd.it/1pljo99
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the macapps community
[$35.88 → FREE YEAR of Pro] Cross-platform podcast app FluidCast now live on iOS, iPad, Mac (Windows / Linux / Android alpha)
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1pll7dc
https://redd.it/1pll86c
@macappsbackup
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1pll7dc
https://redd.it/1pll86c
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the iosapps community on Reddit: [$35.88 → FREE YEAR of Pro] Cross-platform podcast app FluidCast now live on iOS, iPad, Mac…
Explore this post and more from the iosapps community
Media Server Pro - quickly and easily share content from your mac to TVs and games consoles
I made this app because I found existing solutions to be overly-complicated, or required subnoscriptions etc.
Media Server Pro is super simple - you start it up, select a directory containing your music/videos, and then it appears as a device on your TV or games console.
Give it a try! Feedback welcome.
One off payment, no accounts needed, no subnoscriptions, 50% off the usual price over the holidays!
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/media-server-pro/id6756138940.
https://redd.it/1plphkz
@macappsbackup
I made this app because I found existing solutions to be overly-complicated, or required subnoscriptions etc.
Media Server Pro is super simple - you start it up, select a directory containing your music/videos, and then it appears as a device on your TV or games console.
Give it a try! Feedback welcome.
One off payment, no accounts needed, no subnoscriptions, 50% off the usual price over the holidays!
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/media-server-pro/id6756138940.
https://redd.it/1plphkz
@macappsbackup
App Store
Media Server Pro App - App Store
Download Media Server Pro by Richard Stokes on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more games like Media Server Pro.
Help Finding Recent App - Middle Click
Someone recently posted that they made a middle click app, because the one on that app store wasn't functioning correct. I can't find the convo. If anyone saw that, let me know
https://redd.it/1plpyrj
@macappsbackup
Someone recently posted that they made a middle click app, because the one on that app store wasn't functioning correct. I can't find the convo. If anyone saw that, let me know
https://redd.it/1plpyrj
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the macapps community
Do not recommend the SoundSource software | About RogueAmoeba deceptive marketing strategies
https://redd.it/1plunyy
@macappsbackup
https://redd.it/1plunyy
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit: Do not recommend the SoundSource software | About RogueAmoeba deceptive marketing strategies
Explore this post and more from the macapps community
Anyone still using Ice?
It's been months since the beta came out to fix the issues in Tahoe, yet still to this day it's so buggy. It feels like I'm constantly fighting with it. So I finally ask this question today, is there any alternative to Ice that's polished and works smoothly in Tahoe?
https://redd.it/1pm0pcp
@macappsbackup
It's been months since the beta came out to fix the issues in Tahoe, yet still to this day it's so buggy. It feels like I'm constantly fighting with it. So I finally ask this question today, is there any alternative to Ice that's polished and works smoothly in Tahoe?
https://redd.it/1pm0pcp
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit
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Unable to uninstall or get MechVibes working
Hey y'all. I'm not sure what happened but the other day MechVibes suddenly stopped working. The icon still appears in my control center and along my dock, but I can't uninstall it to try to get it re-installed. Every time I try MacOS tells me it's still running. I'm sorry if this is the wrong subreddit, I just need help!
https://redd.it/1pm2cou
@macappsbackup
Hey y'all. I'm not sure what happened but the other day MechVibes suddenly stopped working. The icon still appears in my control center and along my dock, but I can't uninstall it to try to get it re-installed. Every time I try MacOS tells me it's still running. I'm sorry if this is the wrong subreddit, I just need help!
https://redd.it/1pm2cou
@macappsbackup
Reddit
From the macapps community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the macapps community
Is Amphetamine still working?
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/amphetamine/id937984704?mt=12
https://redd.it/1pmajed
@macappsbackup
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/amphetamine/id937984704?mt=12
https://redd.it/1pmajed
@macappsbackup
App Store
Amphetamine App - App Store
Download Amphetamine by William Gustafson on the App Store. See screenshots, ratings and reviews, user tips, and more games like Amphetamine.
Parachute Backup - Specially Designed for iCloud and Photos
Parachute Backup
The difference between a backup service and a syncing service is subtle but important. iCloud keeps the same version of your documents and photos in the cloud and on each of your Mac and iOS devices depending on your settings. That's great until something goes wrong. If you delete a photo on your phone or a file gets corrupted, that change syncs everywhere. The damage spreads instantly because sync's job is to mirror whatever state your device is in, good or bad.
A true backup service works the opposite way. It freezes copies of your data at different points in time and stores them safely elsewhere. If you delete a photo by accident or a file becomes corrupted, the backup stays untouched. You can roll back to yesterday, last week, or last month. That's the whole point: preservation, not mirroring.
This is why iCloud isn't a backup for your photos or files. It's convenient for keeping devices in sync, but it won't protect you from accidental deletions, corruption, or a bad software update. Backup keeps history; sync copies the present. The distinction shapes whether your data survives mistakes or vanishes with them.
Additionally, as recent news shows, administrative issues with an iCloud account can cut off your access with no warning and limited recourse. The best recourse is a regular backup of your data. Just using Time Machine won't accomplish this. Time Machine backs up what's on your hard drive only. If you've selected the option on your Mac to upload to the cloud to save disk space, you have little control over exactly where your files exist at any given moment. It gets confusing.
# The Solution is Parachute Backup
The solution is available in the Mac App Store for just $4.99. Parachute Backup, an app by independent developer Eric Mann, is a set-it-and-forget utility that performs true incremented backups to your own storage device or to another cloud provider. If you have a lot of data or a slow connection, the initial backup can be slow. After that, unless you've made huge data additions to iCloud, the backups are pretty speedy. If you prefer occasional manual backups instead of having the app run in the background on a schedule, that is also an option.
# Things to Like
The security of having a true backup you control
Inexpensive, one-time purchase, no subnoscription, no telemetry, no bloat
Intuitive, uncomplicated interface
Flexible backup destination
# What Could Be Improved
Initial backup speed
Implementing a one-click restore process. The current method is manual only.
Edge cases for some larger photo libraries, custom metadata, and shared albums
# More Information
Backs up original and edited versions of photos
The app never deletes anything from iCloud. It only has read-only access.
Provides notification of any file corruption on iCloud and does not back up the file.
Provides backups of shared photo albums
Backs up to NAS, SFTP, and WebDAV
Option to include non-iCloud folders in your backup
Will back up your photo library from local storage if you do not use iCloud
One last tip \- You can find great deals on hard drives at places like Disk Deal. Buy a large, refurbished 3.5-inch internal drive with a warranty and get a case for it that offers Thunderbolt speed. When you set up the drive, create two partitions with Disk Utility. Use one of them for your Time Machine backups and the other for Parachute Backup.
https://redd.it/1pmc8jq
@macappsbackup
Parachute Backup
The difference between a backup service and a syncing service is subtle but important. iCloud keeps the same version of your documents and photos in the cloud and on each of your Mac and iOS devices depending on your settings. That's great until something goes wrong. If you delete a photo on your phone or a file gets corrupted, that change syncs everywhere. The damage spreads instantly because sync's job is to mirror whatever state your device is in, good or bad.
A true backup service works the opposite way. It freezes copies of your data at different points in time and stores them safely elsewhere. If you delete a photo by accident or a file becomes corrupted, the backup stays untouched. You can roll back to yesterday, last week, or last month. That's the whole point: preservation, not mirroring.
This is why iCloud isn't a backup for your photos or files. It's convenient for keeping devices in sync, but it won't protect you from accidental deletions, corruption, or a bad software update. Backup keeps history; sync copies the present. The distinction shapes whether your data survives mistakes or vanishes with them.
Additionally, as recent news shows, administrative issues with an iCloud account can cut off your access with no warning and limited recourse. The best recourse is a regular backup of your data. Just using Time Machine won't accomplish this. Time Machine backs up what's on your hard drive only. If you've selected the option on your Mac to upload to the cloud to save disk space, you have little control over exactly where your files exist at any given moment. It gets confusing.
# The Solution is Parachute Backup
The solution is available in the Mac App Store for just $4.99. Parachute Backup, an app by independent developer Eric Mann, is a set-it-and-forget utility that performs true incremented backups to your own storage device or to another cloud provider. If you have a lot of data or a slow connection, the initial backup can be slow. After that, unless you've made huge data additions to iCloud, the backups are pretty speedy. If you prefer occasional manual backups instead of having the app run in the background on a schedule, that is also an option.
# Things to Like
The security of having a true backup you control
Inexpensive, one-time purchase, no subnoscription, no telemetry, no bloat
Intuitive, uncomplicated interface
Flexible backup destination
# What Could Be Improved
Initial backup speed
Implementing a one-click restore process. The current method is manual only.
Edge cases for some larger photo libraries, custom metadata, and shared albums
# More Information
Backs up original and edited versions of photos
The app never deletes anything from iCloud. It only has read-only access.
Provides notification of any file corruption on iCloud and does not back up the file.
Provides backups of shared photo albums
Backs up to NAS, SFTP, and WebDAV
Option to include non-iCloud folders in your backup
Will back up your photo library from local storage if you do not use iCloud
One last tip \- You can find great deals on hard drives at places like Disk Deal. Buy a large, refurbished 3.5-inch internal drive with a warranty and get a case for it that offers Thunderbolt speed. When you set up the drive, create two partitions with Disk Utility. Use one of them for your Time Machine backups and the other for Parachute Backup.
https://redd.it/1pmc8jq
@macappsbackup