Merge multiple backup clones to a single backup

[lancer57]

I'm working with a Mac and I've been looking for a reliable way to merge four different hard drives with backups made at different times and different computers into a single backup. Each of the backup drives has many folders and subfolders filled with files. Some of the folders and files are duplicates with the other drives, and some folders and files are unique to a particular drive. I would like to merge all data from the drives, keeping only the latest versions of all the duplicated files as well as all the files that are unique. I'd be grateful if someone can tell me how best to achieve this goal. Thanks!

[xCSxXenon]

Not with FFS. All you could do with FFS is run four syncs, one for each source and all pointing to the same target. You would use "update" as the sync method. This will not do you any good for removing duplicates that are in different locations though.

[lancer57]

Thank you, xCSxXenon! If anyone knows a way to accomplish this including removing duplicates please share your thoughts. Thanks in advance!

[Plerry]

By syncing to a single backup (base-)location using the Update sync variant, you will only be left with a single copy of every identically named file in an identical relative location to the base-location, so no "duplicates" in your single backup location. This, unless those duplicate files do not have identical file names or are not in an identical location relative to the base-location.

If the file copies in your present, multiple backup locations can be file versions of different dates, you may want to define a Custom sync variant, and for files that exist on both sides decide to only sync the newer of the two files.

[lancer57]

Pierry, thank you for the explanation and suggestion, I'll give it a try! Appreciate all the assistance you and xCSxXenon are providing the community!