Can’t access old Time Machine Backups after macOS update

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Can’t access old Time Machine Backups after macOS update

I've just updated to macOS Mojave and preform a clean install.

Just before updating I manually backup some folders and also did a backup to Time Machine. I formatted my hard drive and installed a clean Mojave update from a USB. After the update I started to set up settings and download my applications etc, then I realize I didn't manually backup the photo library file of the Photos app (iCloud Photos is turn off). I was thinking no problem I will use Time Machine to retrieve it, but when I entered Time Machine I saw I can't access to any of my previous backups. I had 2 years archive of backups.

How can I access my old backups and particularly the Photos Library file from my last Time Machine backup just before the update?

As caution step I turn off automatic backups for now. I'm using WD My Cloud as my Time Machine drive (over Wifi).

MacBook Pro Retina

Posted on Nov 9, 2019 6:06 AM

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Answer 1

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Sokuya Author

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Nov 9, 2019 7:13 AM in response to Sokuya

Ok so I been able to manually find the Photos Library file and restore it.

However, I still like to access my previous backups directly from Time Machine. How can I access them in the new OS?

Here's what I do:

Open Finder and go to Network (⇧⌘K)
Select and connect to your drive (my was MyCloud)
Enter TimeMachineBackups folder
Select your Sparse Disk Image Bundle (Usually named as your Mac name)
After opened it, notice 'Locations' header on the finder window sidebar and double click on Time Machine Backups
Be patience, it takes some time to open & load each folder
Enter Backups.backupsdb
Enter the folder named as your Mac such: User's MackBook Pro
Then you will see lots of folders with dates as names, those are your backups. Find your desire backup by date and click on it
Browse the folder and find the file you want to restore, then copy it to a destination in your Macintosh HD.

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Answer 2

Sokuya Author

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Dec 17, 2019 2:04 PM in response to Sokuya

After I contacted Apple support, they told me that this issue might caused by a compatibility problem because I erased the computer before updating it to macOS Mojave (clean install). They said there's no need to erase the computer before any update, only if there's a problem with the computer such as if it always freezing or something similar.

So after the call, I did my first ever Time Machine backup with macOS Mojave. It took serval hours but afterward I noticed I can see and access all previous backups, going back up to 2016. I didn't make any new backups up until now because I was afraid it might override the older ones, so I want to contact Apple Support and try to fix it before I make new backups with Mojave.

So I just made a new backup and fix everything for me.

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Can’t access old Time Machine Backups after macOS update

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