Effortlessly Back Up Your Mac to Jottacloud: A Practical Guide

Why Backing Up Your Mac to Jottacloud Is a Smart Move

In an era where digital data is integral to our daily lives, ensuring its safety is paramount. Jottacloud, a Norwegian cloud storage service, offers a reliable solution for macOS users to back up and sync their files seamlessly. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, Jottacloud ensures your data is secure and accessible whenever you need it.

• 🔐 Privacy-Centric Storage – Jottacloud stores your data in Norway, adhering to strict privacy laws, ensuring your files are protected from unauthorized access.
• ☁️ Generous Free Tier – Start with 5 GB of free storage, with affordable plans available as your storage needs grow.
• 🧩 Seamless Finder Integration – The Jottacloud app integrates directly with macOS Finder, allowing easy access and management of your files.
• 🎯 Customizable Backup Options – Choose specific folders to back up, ensuring only the data you care about is stored in the cloud.
• 🔁 Cross-Device Accessibility – Access your files from any device, be it another Mac, Windows PC, or smartphone, ensuring your data is always within reach.

How to Configure Jottacloud on macOS for Folder Backup

Setting up Jottacloud on your Mac is straightforward. Follow these steps to ensure your important folders are continuously backed up to the cloud.

1. Download the Jottacloud desktop application from the official Jottacloud website.
2. Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the Jottacloud icon into your Applications folder.
3. Launch the Jottacloud app from your Applications folder and sign in with your Jottacloud account.
4. Upon first launch, you'll be prompted to select folders to back up. Common choices include Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.
5. Choose whether to enable the Sync folder, which allows for real-time synchronization between your Mac and Jottacloud.
6. Finalize your setup by clicking "Start." The application will begin backing up your selected folders immediately.

Once configured, Jottacloud will continuously monitor and back up your chosen folders, ensuring your data is always up-to-date and securely stored in the cloud.

Syncing Extra Folders on macOS to Jottacloud Using Symbolic Links

Jottacloud’s desktop app focuses on backing up folders you explicitly select—but what if your important files live elsewhere, like in ~/Code or on an external SSD? Symbolic links let you extend Jottacloud’s reach without having to reorganize your entire file structure.

Use this Terminal command to create a symbolic link from your unsynced folder into the Jottacloud Sync folder:

ln -s /Users/YourName/Code "/Users/YourName/Jottacloud/Code"

This makes it appear as if the external folder is inside your Sync folder, allowing Jottacloud to pick it up and include it in the cloud backup. It's especially useful for developers or creatives who work across multiple directories.

While effective, symbolic links require care. Avoid linking folders that are already part of another sync or backup tool, and always verify that Jottacloud is detecting the contents correctly.

Pro Tips for Reliable Backups with Jottacloud

• 📶 Maintain a Steady Connection – Jottacloud continuously syncs in the background, but large files or initial uploads benefit from a strong and stable internet connection.
• 🔐 Enable Two-Factor Authentication – Add a second layer of protection to your account by enabling 2FA in your Jottacloud settings.
• 🧪 Test File Restores Periodically – Make sure your backups are actually usable by downloading and opening a few files from your Jottacloud web interface.
• ⏱️ Use macOS Automator or Cron – Automate recurring backups of niche folders by pairing Automator scripts with symbolic links, or run CLI tools on a schedule.
• 🧹 Skip System Folders – Avoid syncing system-critical paths like ~/Library or /System. Focus on files you create—documents, photos, and work folders.

For users with advanced needs, Jottacloud also supports command-line operations and API access. This means you can build custom backup workflows tailored to your habits—without giving up on privacy or usability.

How to Back Up macOS Folders to Jottacloud Using OurClone

OurClone provides an easy way to back up your macOS folders to Jottacloud using a personal login token. Unlike other cloud services that use browser-based OAuth, Jottacloud uses static tokens for authentication—making setup both fast and secure. Here's how to get started.

• 🔑 Generate Your Jottacloud Token – First, go to the Jottacloud web portal and log in. Click on Settings, then navigate to the Security section. Scroll down to Personal login token and click Generate. Copy the token—you’ll need it for the next step.



• 🧩 Add Jottacloud as a Cloud Destination – Open OurClone and go to the Add Storage panel. Select Jottacloud from the list of providers. You’ll be prompted to enter a configuration name (e.g., MyJottacloud) and paste the token you copied earlier. Click Connect—if the token is valid, Jottacloud will be added to your storage list.



• 🗄️ Create a Backup Repository – Go to the Backup tab and click Create Repository. Choose a destination path on Jottacloud like /macos-backup, set a repository name, and define your encryption password. This password is required to restore your files—keep it safe.



• 📁 Select Folders to Back Up – Once your repository is ready, click New Backup and select the local folders you want to protect. Whether it’s ~/Documents, ~/Pictures, or folders on an external disk, OurClone will encrypt and send them securely to Jottacloud.



• 📊 Track Backup Progress in Real Time – Head over to the Task tab to monitor your upload status. OurClone breaks files into blocks and uploads them efficiently—even large backups can be paused and resumed without losing progress.



• 🔄 Restore When Needed – To recover data, open your repository, select a backup version, and click Restore. After entering your encryption password, you can restore files to their original location or a new folder—your directory structure stays intact.

With token-based access and block-level encryption, OurClone makes Jottacloud backups easy and secure. Whether you’re backing up a few key folders or your entire home directory, your data remains protected and ready to restore when you need it most.

How to Confirm Your Backup in OurClone (Jottacloud Edition)