Can I cancel a Time Machine backup and then continue?

Hello,

Yesterday evening I started a Time Machine backup of about 1.8TB and thought it would be ready in the morning, however it is just at about 33% – 15 hours to go!! I suspect the drive is on an USB 2 port and not USB 3 as intended.

Can I cancel the backup, eject the drive, use another (USB 3!) port, and then continue the backup, or will it start from scratch?

Many thanks!

iMac 27", macOS 10.12

Posted on Feb 12, 2020 2:55 AM

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coxorange Author

Level 2

159 points

Posted on Feb 12, 2020 5:50 AM

Since there were no further answers, I tried it, and TM continued the backup. No problem.

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coxorange Author

Level 2

159 points

Feb 12, 2020 5:50 AM in response to dialabrain

Since there were no further answers, I tried it, and TM continued the backup. No problem.

dialabrain

Level 10

136,571 points

Feb 12, 2020 2:58 AM in response to coxorange

Since it would be the same drive suspending it should work from where it left off. Of course I've never done it so I can't be sure.

coxorange Author

Level 2

159 points

Feb 12, 2020 3:01 AM in response to dialabrain

Thank you.

Is there anyone else who did such a thing before?

dialabrain

Level 10

136,571 points

Feb 12, 2020 3:03 AM in response to coxorange

You're welcome. You will have to wait and see if anyone else that has replies.

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Can I cancel a Time Machine backup and then continue?