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SPECIFICTION
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Timeshift

github.com

Free plan Linux
Visit github.com
Spec score 7.6 #97 of 151 in Backup software

What it is

Timeshift is a free Linux utility that creates incremental filesystem snapshots and restores a system to an earlier state. It offers rsync snapshots using hard links and BTRFS snapshots using built-in filesystem features. Scheduling can run hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or at boot, with configurable retention counts. Home-directory contents are excluded by default, because the tool focuses on system files and settings rather than personal data. Restores can run from the active system or another installation with Timeshift, including an Ubuntu Live CD or USB; a restore launched from the running system requires a reboot to finish. Listed supported configurations include normal, LUKS-encrypted, LVM2, BTRFS, GRUB2, and EFI setups, subject to constraints. BTRFS requires an Ubuntu-type layout with @ and @home subvolumes. Docker and other containerized systems are unsupported. Timeshift is maintained by Linux Mint within the XApp project, with installation instructions for Debian-based distributions, Fedora, Arch, and ALT Linux.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Timeshift creates incremental filesystem snapshots to restore a Linux system to an earlier state.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Supported platforms
linuxRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
Integrations
Rsync mode uses rsync and hard links; BTRFS mode uses BTRFS filesystem snapshots.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Backup scope
mixedRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
BTRFS limit
BTRFS snapshots require an Ubuntu-type subvolume layout with @ and @home subvolumes; other layouts are not supported.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Computer backup
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
Container limit
Docker and containerized systems are not supported, and the project says results there are unpredictable.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Installation
The README gives package installation instructions for Debian-based distributions, Fedora, Arch, and ALT Linux.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Project stewardship
The README says Timeshift is part of the XApp project, maintained by Linux Mint; XApp describes itself as open source and cross-distribution.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Restore
Snapshots can be restored from the running system or from another system with Timeshift installed, including from an Ubuntu Live CD or USB.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Restore modes
mixedRead 20 Sep 2026 · github.com
Restore reboot
Restoring from the running system requires a reboot to complete.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Scheduled snapshots
It supports hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and boot snapshot levels, with configurable retention counts.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Snapshot methods
It supports rsync snapshots using hard links and BTRFS snapshots using built-in filesystem features.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Storage
Timeshift requires sufficient free disk space for snapshots and recommends saving them to an external non-system partition for best results.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support and contributions
The project invites users to report issues, submit code changes, and contribute translations.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Supported systems
The project lists normal, LUKS-encrypted, LVM2, BTRFS, GRUB2, and EFI configurations as supported, subject to its stated constraints.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
User files
User home-directory contents are excluded by default because Timeshift is designed to protect system files and settings rather than user data.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Timeshift Free System snapshot and restore utility for Linux Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Timeshift plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free system snapshot utility
  • Hourly through boot scheduling
  • Rsync and BTRFS snapshot methods
  • Restores from live media
  • Configurable snapshot retention

Limits

  • Home directories excluded by default
  • BTRFS needs @ and @home subvolumes
  • Containers are unsupported
  • Running-system restores require reboot

Who it suits

Timeshift suits Linux users who need system recovery snapshots rather than a default backup of personal files. It is relevant to systems using rsync or supported BTRFS layouts.

Verdict

Timeshift focuses on rolling Linux system files and settings back to earlier snapshots. Its scheduling and restore options are broad, but storage, filesystem-layout, and container constraints matter when planning use.

Where Specifiction places it

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