macOS disk full after first time machine backup.

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Level 1

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macOS disk full after first time machine backup.

Hello all,

Last week I install macOS Mojave in my MacBook Pro Mid 2012. It's been working fine, so yesterday I set up my Time Machine Backup. It's been copying files all the night (first backup size is around 400Gb).

Yesterday I had 130Gb of free space in my internal SSD, but this morning, after finishing the backup I saw that my internal SSD became full. I have now less than 2Gb free in the internal SSD.

I had this same problem a few years ago and I solved it when I deactivated local snapshots, but this time didn't work.

Any idea of what can I do before reinstalling again the OS?

MacBook Pro

Posted on Jul 2, 2020 12:20 AM

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Answer 1

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,656 points

Jul 2, 2020 4:34 AM in response to PabloOrtega

When the mac is not connected to the Time Capsule it will make local snapshots on your macs internal SSD. When you connect your mac to your Time Capsule the mac should then off load the snapshots to the Time Capsule and once that is done clear them off your internal SSD.

About Time Machine local snapshots – Apple Support

https://www.howtogeek.com/212207/how-to-free-up-space-used-by-time-machines-local-backups-on-your-mac/

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Answer 2

PabloOrtega Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 6, 2020 11:41 AM in response to Eau Rouge

Hey all,

I think I know what happened.. As it was the first copy, macOS has downloaded all the stuff in my iCloud Drive for copying it. So that's why my internal drive was full when finishing the backup.

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Answer 3

PabloOrtega Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 5, 2020 8:23 AM in response to Eau Rouge

The Mac was connected all the night to TimeCapsule. Finally I could delete almost all the stuff by disabling TimeMachine from terminal. I had 130Gb free before backup and now I have 95Gb of free space, I'm still looking for how to delete the other extra 35Gb of space.

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Answer 4

PabloOrtega Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 2, 2020 3:55 AM in response to Eau Rouge

Hello, Sorry, I should've clarified that.

I'm using a 3Tb Apple Time Capsule connected via ethernet.

I said: "I had this same problem a few years ago and I solved it when I deactivated local snapshots, but this time didn't work. " Because I know macOS saves a local snapshot apart of the snapshot in the external drive

Thanks

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Answer 5

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,656 points

Jul 2, 2020 12:34 AM in response to PabloOrtega

What disk are you making this Time Machine backup on, it is not entirely clear, I hope you are not using the macs

internal drive for your backups.

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macOS disk full after first time machine backup.

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