How to Back Up and Restore Your Raspberry Pi SD Card on Mac

Backing up Raspberry Pi SD cardBacking up Raspberry Pi SD card
Easily backup, restore, or clone your SD card!
Zach Zach (233)
Total time: 5 minutes 
Updated: September 30th, 2019

This short guide will show you how to create a backup image of your Raspberry Pi’s SD card on Mac (MacOS and OS X), as well as how to restore the image later. This approach will also work for cloning your SD card to another card.

Backing up a properly configured system is a good idea that will save you tons of time down the road.

Let’s get started!

Here’s everything you’ll need to complete this guide:

MicroSD cardMicroSD card×1
MicroSD card reader×1
Inserting MicroSD card into computerInserting MicroSD card into computer

Use whatever SD card adapter you have to connect your SD card to your computer.

MacOS Terminal windowMacOS Terminal window

Navigate to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

Finding disk name in TerminalFinding disk name in Terminal

Enter the following command to find your SD card’s name:

diskutil list

You can identify your card by size and partition type. You should see the Raspberry Pi boot partition type of Windows_FAT_32 next to the drive.

For example, my card’s name is /dev/disk2.

Using the dd backup utility in MacOSUsing the dd backup utility in MacOS

Use the following command to use the dd utility to backup your Raspberry Pi SD card, changing /dev/disk1 to your disk’s name and path:

sudo dd if=/dev/disk1 of=~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg

Enter your password when prompted.

This will create a file named PiSDCardBackup.dmg in the user directory (~). To change the filename or put it somewhere else, you can change ~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg to something else. For example, ~/Documents/OctoPrint.dmg will name the file OctoPrint.dmg and place it in your Documents folder.

While the backup process is running, you should just see a flashing | indicator.

Don’t forget to safely eject your card before removing it from your computer to prevent data corruption. You can do this in Finder by clicking the eject icon in the sidebar. You’re all done!

Restoring SD card backup using dd utilityRestoring SD card backup using dd utility

To restore your backup or clone it onto another SD card, reinsert it into your computer and use the following commands:

diskutil unmountDisk /dev/disk1
sudo dd if=~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg of=/dev/disk1

Be sure to replace /dev/disk1 once again with your card ID, and specify the proper location for the backup image you’re restoring from.

When you’re finished, eject your SD card once more.

How to Back Up and Restore Your Raspberry Pi SD Card on Mac

Backing up Raspberry Pi SD cardBacking up Raspberry Pi SD card
Easily backup, restore, or clone your SD card!
Zach Zach (233)
Total time: 5 minutes 
Updated: September 30th, 2019

This short guide will show you how to create a backup image of your Raspberry Pi’s SD card on Mac (MacOS and OS X), as well as how to restore the image later. This approach will also work for cloning your SD card to another card.

Backing up a properly configured system is a good idea that will save you tons of time down the road.

Let’s get started!

Here’s everything you’ll need to complete this guide:

MicroSD cardMicroSD card×1
MicroSD card reader×1
Inserting MicroSD card into computerInserting MicroSD card into computer

Use whatever SD card adapter you have to connect your SD card to your computer.

MacOS Terminal windowMacOS Terminal window

Navigate to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

Finding disk name in TerminalFinding disk name in Terminal

Enter the following command to find your SD card’s name:

diskutil list

You can identify your card by size and partition type. You should see the Raspberry Pi boot partition type of Windows_FAT_32 next to the drive.

For example, my card’s name is /dev/disk2.

Using the dd backup utility in MacOSUsing the dd backup utility in MacOS

Use the following command to use the dd utility to backup your Raspberry Pi SD card, changing /dev/disk1 to your disk’s name and path:

sudo dd if=/dev/disk1 of=~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg

Enter your password when prompted.

This will create a file named PiSDCardBackup.dmg in the user directory (~). To change the filename or put it somewhere else, you can change ~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg to something else. For example, ~/Documents/OctoPrint.dmg will name the file OctoPrint.dmg and place it in your Documents folder.

While the backup process is running, you should just see a flashing | indicator.

Don’t forget to safely eject your card before removing it from your computer to prevent data corruption. You can do this in Finder by clicking the eject icon in the sidebar. You’re all done!

Restoring SD card backup using dd utilityRestoring SD card backup using dd utility

To restore your backup or clone it onto another SD card, reinsert it into your computer and use the following commands:

diskutil unmountDisk /dev/disk1
sudo dd if=~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg of=/dev/disk1

Be sure to replace /dev/disk1 once again with your card ID, and specify the proper location for the backup image you’re restoring from.

When you’re finished, eject your SD card once more.

SD card backup steps

How to Back Up and Restore Your Raspberry Pi SD Card on Mac

Backing up Raspberry Pi SD cardBacking up Raspberry Pi SD card
Easily backup, restore, or clone your SD card!
Zach Zach (233)
Total time: 5 minutes 
Updated: September 30th, 2019

This short guide will show you how to create a backup image of your Raspberry Pi’s SD card on Mac (MacOS and OS X), as well as how to restore the image later. This approach will also work for cloning your SD card to another card.

Backing up a properly configured system is a good idea that will save you tons of time down the road.

Let’s get started!

Here’s everything you’ll need to complete this guide:

MicroSD cardMicroSD card×1
MicroSD card reader×1
Inserting MicroSD card into computerInserting MicroSD card into computer

Use whatever SD card adapter you have to connect your SD card to your computer.

MacOS Terminal windowMacOS Terminal window

Navigate to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

Finding disk name in TerminalFinding disk name in Terminal

Enter the following command to find your SD card’s name:

diskutil list

You can identify your card by size and partition type. You should see the Raspberry Pi boot partition type of Windows_FAT_32 next to the drive.

For example, my card’s name is /dev/disk2.

Using the dd backup utility in MacOSUsing the dd backup utility in MacOS

Use the following command to use the dd utility to backup your Raspberry Pi SD card, changing /dev/disk1 to your disk’s name and path:

sudo dd if=/dev/disk1 of=~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg

Enter your password when prompted.

This will create a file named PiSDCardBackup.dmg in the user directory (~). To change the filename or put it somewhere else, you can change ~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg to something else. For example, ~/Documents/OctoPrint.dmg will name the file OctoPrint.dmg and place it in your Documents folder.

While the backup process is running, you should just see a flashing | indicator.

Don’t forget to safely eject your card before removing it from your computer to prevent data corruption. You can do this in Finder by clicking the eject icon in the sidebar. You’re all done!

Restoring SD card backup using dd utilityRestoring SD card backup using dd utility

To restore your backup or clone it onto another SD card, reinsert it into your computer and use the following commands:

diskutil unmountDisk /dev/disk1
sudo dd if=~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg of=/dev/disk1

Be sure to replace /dev/disk1 once again with your card ID, and specify the proper location for the backup image you’re restoring from.

When you’re finished, eject your SD card once more.

How to Back Up and Restore Your Raspberry Pi SD Card on Mac

Backing up Raspberry Pi SD cardBacking up Raspberry Pi SD card
Easily backup, restore, or clone your SD card!
Zach Zach (233)
Total time: 5 minutes 
Updated: September 30th, 2019

This short guide will show you how to create a backup image of your Raspberry Pi’s SD card on Mac (MacOS and OS X), as well as how to restore the image later. This approach will also work for cloning your SD card to another card.

Backing up a properly configured system is a good idea that will save you tons of time down the road.

Let’s get started!

Here’s everything you’ll need to complete this guide:

MicroSD cardMicroSD card×1
MicroSD card reader×1

How to Back Up and Restore Your Raspberry Pi SD Card on Mac

pimac
Easily backup, restore, or clone your SD card!
Zach Zach (233)
Total time: 5 minutes 
Updated: September 30th, 2019
Zach
4
 
2

Here’s everything you’ll need to complete this guide:

MicroSD cardMicroSD card×1
MicroSD card reader×1
MicroSD cardMicroSD card×1
MicroSD card reader×1
MicroSD card
SD card backup steps
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We’re hiring. Write for Howchoo

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SD card backup steps
Inserting MicroSD card into computerInserting MicroSD card into computer

Use whatever SD card adapter you have to connect your SD card to your computer.

MacOS Terminal windowMacOS Terminal window

Navigate to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

Finding disk name in TerminalFinding disk name in Terminal

Enter the following command to find your SD card’s name:

diskutil list

You can identify your card by size and partition type. You should see the Raspberry Pi boot partition type of Windows_FAT_32 next to the drive.

For example, my card’s name is /dev/disk2.

Using the dd backup utility in MacOSUsing the dd backup utility in MacOS

Use the following command to use the dd utility to backup your Raspberry Pi SD card, changing /dev/disk1 to your disk’s name and path:

sudo dd if=/dev/disk1 of=~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg

Enter your password when prompted.

This will create a file named PiSDCardBackup.dmg in the user directory (~). To change the filename or put it somewhere else, you can change ~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg to something else. For example, ~/Documents/OctoPrint.dmg will name the file OctoPrint.dmg and place it in your Documents folder.

While the backup process is running, you should just see a flashing | indicator.

Don’t forget to safely eject your card before removing it from your computer to prevent data corruption. You can do this in Finder by clicking the eject icon in the sidebar. You’re all done!

Restoring SD card backup using dd utilityRestoring SD card backup using dd utility

To restore your backup or clone it onto another SD card, reinsert it into your computer and use the following commands:

diskutil unmountDisk /dev/disk1
sudo dd if=~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg of=/dev/disk1

Be sure to replace /dev/disk1 once again with your card ID, and specify the proper location for the backup image you’re restoring from.

When you’re finished, eject your SD card once more.

Inserting MicroSD card into computerInserting MicroSD card into computer

Use whatever SD card adapter you have to connect your SD card to your computer.

Inserting MicroSD card into computerInserting MicroSD card into computer

Use whatever SD card adapter you have to connect your SD card to your computer.

Connect the SD card to your computer

MacOS Terminal windowMacOS Terminal window

Navigate to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

MacOS Terminal windowMacOS Terminal window

Navigate to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

Open Terminal

Finding disk name in TerminalFinding disk name in Terminal

Enter the following command to find your SD card’s name:

diskutil list

You can identify your card by size and partition type. You should see the Raspberry Pi boot partition type of Windows_FAT_32 next to the drive.

For example, my card’s name is /dev/disk2.

Finding disk name in TerminalFinding disk name in Terminal

Enter the following command to find your SD card’s name:

diskutil list

You can identify your card by size and partition type. You should see the Raspberry Pi boot partition type of Windows_FAT_32 next to the drive.

For example, my card’s name is /dev/disk2.

Find your SD card name

Using the dd backup utility in MacOSUsing the dd backup utility in MacOS

Use the following command to use the dd utility to backup your Raspberry Pi SD card, changing /dev/disk1 to your disk’s name and path:

sudo dd if=/dev/disk1 of=~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg

Enter your password when prompted.

This will create a file named PiSDCardBackup.dmg in the user directory (~). To change the filename or put it somewhere else, you can change ~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg to something else. For example, ~/Documents/OctoPrint.dmg will name the file OctoPrint.dmg and place it in your Documents folder.

While the backup process is running, you should just see a flashing | indicator.

Using the dd backup utility in MacOSUsing the dd backup utility in MacOS

Use the following command to use the dd utility to backup your Raspberry Pi SD card, changing /dev/disk1 to your disk’s name and path:

sudo dd if=/dev/disk1 of=~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg

Enter your password when prompted.

This will create a file named PiSDCardBackup.dmg in the user directory (~). To change the filename or put it somewhere else, you can change ~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg to something else. For example, ~/Documents/OctoPrint.dmg will name the file OctoPrint.dmg and place it in your Documents folder.

While the backup process is running, you should just see a flashing | indicator.

Create a full SD card backup

Don’t forget to safely eject your card before removing it from your computer to prevent data corruption. You can do this in Finder by clicking the eject icon in the sidebar. You’re all done!

Don’t forget to safely eject your card before removing it from your computer to prevent data corruption. You can do this in Finder by clicking the eject icon in the sidebar. You’re all done!

Safely eject your SD card

Restoring SD card backup using dd utilityRestoring SD card backup using dd utility

To restore your backup or clone it onto another SD card, reinsert it into your computer and use the following commands:

diskutil unmountDisk /dev/disk1
sudo dd if=~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg of=/dev/disk1

Be sure to replace /dev/disk1 once again with your card ID, and specify the proper location for the backup image you’re restoring from.

When you’re finished, eject your SD card once more.

Restoring SD card backup using dd utilityRestoring SD card backup using dd utility

To restore your backup or clone it onto another SD card, reinsert it into your computer and use the following commands:

diskutil unmountDisk /dev/disk1
sudo dd if=~/PiSDCardBackup.dmg of=/dev/disk1

Be sure to replace /dev/disk1 once again with your card ID, and specify the proper location for the backup image you’re restoring from.

When you’re finished, eject your SD card once more.

Restoring the SD card

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Zach's profile pictureZach
Joined in 2015
Web developer, designer, tinkerer, and beer enthusiast living in Tampa, Florida.
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