Backing up to an external hard drive

Hello @Asst4515,

Let me help share how you can create a backup copy of your company file using an external hard drive in QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

To start with, the error message you received is related to the treatment of QuickBooks with the external hard. It doesn't work well with it.

This is the reason why it is recommended to create a backup copy of your company data by saving it from any of your local drives. Once done, you can copy or move it to your external hard drive.

On top of that, here's an article you can read to learn more about creating a backup copy of your company file: Back up your QuickBooks Desktop for Mac company file.

In the same manner, I've also included this reference for the steps you can take once you need to use the created backup copy: Restore your backup company file for QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

If you have any other questions, please let me know by leaving any comments below. I'll be here to lend a hand.

Since April, I've been having the same issue. I've been backing up to an external hard drive since I began using Quickbooks, more than 10 years. Even through updating computers, OSs and external hard drives. The only thing that has recently changed is I updated Quickbooks 2019 to the latest release: V18.0.14 R15. I'm running OS 12.3.1

What can I do to get a proper back up to my external hard drive.

(Really? It's recommended to make a backup on the internal hard drive of the computer?)

I've been having a similar issue since April. I get the error message:

Quickbooks does not have write permissions for this folder. Please choose a different folder.

I've selected a different folder on my external hard drive. (I've been backing up QB to an external hard drive since I started using it over 10 years ago. Backing up has worked fine through computer, OS, and hard drive upgrades/updates. 

The only recent changes have been updating QB to V18.0.14 R15. I'm running OS 12.3.1

I tried rebuilding my data a recommended in a different post. Obviously, that did not work

(Really? It's recommended to backup QB files to the internal hard drive?)

Hello, CAVUdesign.

To ensure you can backup your file without receiving an error message, you'll have to make sure you've met the minimum system requirements for QBDT Mac 2019. 

If you've met the criteria yet received the same error, I recommend contacting our phone support to help you verify and get rid of the error message. Here's how:

1. Go to Help, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
2. Select Contact Us.
3. Enter a brief description of your issue and select Let's talk.
4. Then, choose a way to connect with us.

Keep me updated if you have any follow-up questions on this. I'll be here to assist.

OK - I guess I forgot to mention I'm running QB 2019 on iMac Retnina 5K 27-inch 2020 machine. I have been successful in backing up to my external hard drive since I upgraded to this machine in July of 2021 until April if 2022. What changed? 

Thanks for returning, @CAVUdesign.

Nothing has changed in QuickBooks. However, if you're still having issues after following the steps shared by my peer, I'd suggest contacting our Customer Support team for further assistance. 

Additionally, after creating a backup in QuickBooks for Mac, you can restore your company file.

Please let me know in your reply if you have additional concerns. I'll be around to help. 

Advice links to how to backup for QuickBooks Desktop for Windows. The issue is with Quckbooks for Mac 2019.  Telling people how to save a backup file on their hard drive and copying it to an external drive is not the solution.  But I found a real solution to the issue of Quickbooks for Mac 2019 being unable to save a backup file to an external drive (as recommended).

1. Go to Apple System Settings

2. Then go to Privacy and Security

3. Select Full Disk Access

4. Click "+"

5. Select Applications

6. Enter Quickbooks 2019 in search box

7. Select most recent entry for Quickbooks 2019

8. Click Open button

9. You will be advised to select Close and reopen Quickbooks; do it.

10. Quickbooks 2019 will now be listed as having full disk access; and there will also be a switch allowing you to turn given access on or off.

Quickbooks 2019 will now be able to save backup copie(s) to chosen folder on any attached storage device not otherwise locked.

Thank you SO MUCH @amg_buyer !!!  I recently replaced my Mac and had to upgrade to QB for Mac 2024.  I couldn't figure out why the new version of QBs insisted I backup on my internal HD when I've been backing up to an external drive since I first started using the program over 20 years ago.  Your directions were spot on, and I truly appreciate it! 

Thank you SO MUCH @amg_buyer  !! I recently replaced my Mac and had to upgrade to QB for Mac 2024.  Since then, I've received the same error message and had to backup to my internal HD instead of the external I've always used.  I was completely frustrated until I found your response.  I followed your directions and am now able to back up to my external drive as I've done for over 20 years of QB use.  Thanks again!