SupererDuperer
SuperDuper, the venerable macOS backup utility, has finally received a complete, ground-up rewrite after 22 years, bringing a modern interface and significant performance boosts. This major update, dubbed version 4, addresses long-standing limitations while introducing features like simultaneous copies and deep Shortcuts integration. It marks a pivotal moment for a beloved application, adapting to Apple's evolving ecosystem and cementing its place as a go-to tool for Mac users.
The Lowdown
After 22 years of steadfast service, SuperDuper, a popular macOS disk cloning and backup application, has been completely rewritten and released as version 4. This update, which the developer conceived back in 2007, aims to modernize the software, overcome previous architectural constraints, and enhance its capabilities significantly while retaining its user-friendly essence.
- Modern Redesign: The application has been rebuilt from scratch, retiring the document-based approach in favor of 'Copy Jobs' organized by source volumes. The 'What's going to happen?' text summary and status view, core elements of the original, have been retained and refreshed.
- Performance Leap: Version 4 boasts dramatically improved speeds. Smart Updates are now at least 2x faster, and with the new 'Turbo' feature, some operations are an order of magnitude quicker (e.g., a 40-minute backup reduced to just one minute).
- Enhanced Functionality: New features include a 'Preview' mode to simulate copies without committing changes, support for simultaneous copy jobs, and expanded compatibility with various file systems beyond native Apple formats (like exFAT).
- Automation and Control: 'Copy Rules' replace old copy scripts, offering a more intuitive way to include or exclude specific files and folders. The new version also integrates deeply with Apple Shortcuts, allowing for advanced pre- and post-copy automation, eliminating the need for shell scripts.
- Background Operation: A new 'helper' or 'server' component allows backups to run in the background, even when the main application is closed or the user is logged out, without displaying the UI.
- System Requirements and Pricing: SuperDuper 4 requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. It marks the first paid upgrade in the product's history, with pricing adjusted for inflation and upgrade discounts available for recent SuperDuper 3 purchasers. Free full, bootable backups are still offered without a license.
This extensive overhaul brings SuperDuper into the modern era of macOS, addressing the complexities of Apple's platform changes over two decades. It delivers a faster, more flexible, and more powerful backup solution, promising continued relevance for its dedicated user base.