How to Install Timeshift on Manjaro 21 Linux

Timeshift is a powerful open-source tool that can help you protect your data. It allows you to create incremental snapshots of your filesystem, which can be browsed with a file manager. In BTRFS mode, snapshots are taken using the in-built features of the BTRFS filesystem if you’re looking for a reliable way to back up your data.

In the following tutorial, you will learn how to install the TimeShift snapshot utility on Manjaro 21 Linux. The tutorial will use the yay AUR helper, ideally most users may be using some wrapper for Pacman, for new users, it is essential to install one to keep your packages up-to-date while you learn Arch/Manjaro.

Update Manjaro

Before proceeding with the tutorial, it is good to ensure your system is up-to-date with all existing packages.

sudo pacman -Syu

Install yay Helper

To begin the installation, you must have GIT installed to import the yay repository to install/build. From your command terminal, use the following code to begin the installation.

sudo pacman -S --needed --noconfirm base-devel git

Now clone the yay archive using the following terminal command.

git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay-git.git

Next, move the archive to the /OPT/ directory. This is a good location for any other archive installs, keep everything located, and traditionally the location is a commonly used area for different applications.

sudo mv yay-git /opt/

Now navigate to the yay-git directory location.

cd /opt/yay-git

Build the package using the makepkg command.

makepkg -si

Install Timeshift

Now that you have installed the package management helper, you can install the Timeshift with yay using the following command.

yay -S timeshift

Add --noconfirm to skip most of the questions for automatic default to all.

Launch Timeshift

The best way to use Timeshift is to open the GUI of the application by following the path: Taskbar > System > Timeshift.

Example:

Once open, you will see the default landing screen, where you can begin to take screenshots.

Example:

Users who have created a snapshot will be listed in the default menu where you can restore, delete, etc.

Example:

Setting up a schedule may be ideal for users that forget to take snapshots in the configuration menu.

Example:

How to Update Timeshift

The best way to check for updates and upgrades is to use the following command.

yay -Syu --devel --timeupdate

How to Remove (Uninstall) Timeshift

When you no longer want the video conference software installed on your system, use the following command to remove it.

yay -Rns timeshift

Optionally, you can run the following command to clean up any leftover unused dependencies, and this is highly recommended to run, so your system does not become bloated.

yay -Yc

Comments and Conclusion

In the tutorial, you have learned how to install yay AUR helper quickly and install, maintain, and, if so, remove the Timeshift snapshot utility on Manjaro Linux.

TimeShift is an excellent addition to helping Linux users back up from bad software installations; typically, if your hard drive has space keeping a few snapshots can be pretty handy when diagnosing when some.