Back Up Mac Folders to a WebDAV Server with OurClone

Why a WebDAV Server Is a Solid Backup Target for Mac

WebDAV is the quiet workhorse of self-hosted storage. If you run NextCloud, ownCloud, or a simple WebDAV share on a VPS, you already have a backup destination you fully control -- no new vendor, no surprise quota. OurClone wraps that server in an encrypted repository so your Mac folders are both private and recoverable.

Picture a two-person studio keeping project files on a self-hosted ownCloud: instead of trusting a consumer drive, they snapshot ~/Projects straight to their own WebDAV server every week.

• 🏠 Storage You Own -- A WebDAV server runs on hardware or a VPS you control, so retention and access rules are yours to set.
• 🔐 Encrypted Before Upload -- OurClone encrypts repository data locally, so even your own server only ever stores ciphertext.
• 🧩 Works With Many Backends -- The same flow targets NextCloud, ownCloud, or a generic WebDAV endpoint without changing how you back up.
• 💻 Any Mac Folder -- Back up ~/Documents, ~/Desktop, or a deep project tree, not just one designated sync folder.

Incremental Snapshots Keep WebDAV Backups Light

Re-uploading an entire folder every time is slow, and WebDAV servers on modest home connections feel that pain quickly. Incremental snapshots fix it: after the first full snapshot, only changed data is sent.

That matters most when your WebDAV box sits behind a residential upload link. The initial backup is the heavy one; everything after stays small and quick.

• 🚀 Only changed files and blocks move after the first snapshot
• 💾 Saves space on a server where you pay for the disk
• 🔐 Plays nicely with the encrypted repository model
• 📅 Keeps multiple restore points without storing full copies

Get Your WebDAV Details Ready First

A few minutes of prep prevents a failed first backup:

• 🔗 Find the Exact WebDAV URL -- On NextCloud and ownCloud it usually looks like https://your-server.com/remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/. A generic server uses whatever path your admin set up.
• 🔑 Create an App Password if 2FA Is On -- NextCloud and ownCloud let you generate an app password under Settings → Security; use it instead of your login password when two-factor is enabled.
• 📁 Pick the Right Folders -- Focus on files with real recovery value such as ~/Documents, ~/Pictures, or a project directory; skip caches and system files.
• 🔒 Confirm HTTPS and Certificates -- Prefer an https:// URL with a valid certificate so credentials aren't sent in the clear.
• 🧪 Start Small -- Test with one modest folder to confirm the URL, login, and restore path before moving large archives.

Backing Up to WebDAV with OurClone, Step by Step

Once you have the server URL and credentials, the whole flow takes only a few minutes.

• 🔗 Add Your WebDAV Server -- In Add Storage, choose WebDAV (or your specific provider), enter a custom name, then paste the WebDAV URL, username, and password or app password. Confirm to connect.



• 📦 Create a Backup Repository -- Open Backup, create a repository, and choose a path on the WebDAV server (for example /ourclone-backups). Name it and set a repository password -- this password encrypts the backup and is required for every restore, so store it safely.



• 🗂️ Select Mac Folders and Snapshot -- Open the repository, click New Backup, and pick local folders such as ~/Documents or ~/Projects. Start the snapshot; the first run uploads everything, later runs are incremental.



• 🕒 Watch the Task -- Go to Task → Backup & Restore to follow progress, speed, and any skipped files in real time.



• 🔁 Restore When Needed -- To recover, open the repository, pick a snapshot, click Restore, enter the repository password, and choose a local destination folder.

Verify the Backup and Keep It Healthy