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Create and Restore System Snapshots with Timeshift

Protect your OS settings with rsync snapshots you can roll back to after a broken update — the Linux equivalent of System Restore.

LinuxbackupsnapshottimeshiftsecurityMedium risk
Run sudo timeshift --create --comments "reason" to snapshot the system now, sudo timeshift --list to see snapshots, and sudo timeshift --restore to roll back.

01Command

Command
$ sudo timeshift --create --comments "before big update" && sudo timeshift --list && sudo timeshift --restore

02What it does

Timeshift snapshots system files with rsync (or BTRFS subvolumes on BTRFS setups) into snapshots you can restore in minutes after a bad update, driver install, or config mistake. The first run needs --list or the GUI once to pick a destination disk and schedule; after that --create is one command. Restoring boots you back exactly as the system was at snapshot time, while Timeshift deliberately excludes your personal files in /home by default — treat it as an OS safety net, not a full backup.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk
Requirementstimeshift (sudo apt install timeshift / sudo dnf install timeshift); needs a snapshot device configured first (run sudo timeshift --list to set up)
!Warning: A restore overwrites current system files, so anything you changed since the snapshot is lost; and snapshots stored on the same disk die with the disk — keep an external copy for real disaster recovery.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • timeshift(1) — Linux manual page
    Arch Linux · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Manual page documenting timeshift command-line snapshot creation, listing and interactive restore flow.
  • Timeshift for Linux — README
    Tony George (GitHub) · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Official Timeshift readme: system restore tool using rsync or BTRFS snapshots, with CLI options --create, --list, --restore, --delete.

Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Category: Security & Privacy

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