I am posting a solution with this question. I had only one unfinished Time Machine backup to work with. It had the .inProgress extension, but it had almost all the data I wanted in it. Using Automator I found a way to recover data from that backup file.
You revealed the folders. There is nothing special about the files stored in a completed backup or an in Progress backup. It just doesn't turn the package back into a folder until the backup completes.
You don't need Automator to copy the files out of the package.
Did you just try copying the Music folder in Finder? I don't think there is any need for Automator.
This is for recovering from an .inProgress Time Machine backup. Not from a completed backup. Getting anything out of an inProgress backup requires alternate methods. This was the simplest method I could find.
Hello Jim.. Thank you for reply..
My Macintosh HD-data file seems to be in hidden mode..So I can't drop down its folder.. However this file showing 450 GB data on it..
So in Automator I put this hidden file 'Macintosh HD -data' and Run but I got error message..
I will be grateful if you me help me out...
Thank you again
Hi..
Tried a lot.. But it wont work.. Not able to change date of the Grey folder.
Secondly,
I am not able to open that grey folder but the grey folder file shows 455 GB.
Is it possible that even if after changing the date of Grey folder and make is dark I can possibly see the data inside that folder?
What is Alternate Method?
That is true if you are working with a completed backup. But in this case, with an incomplete (in.progress) backup, I had to use Automator.
with eases.com tutor I am trying to convert Grey Folder... Still not achieved the Result
Let me try more time..
Thanks!
Its not working.. My total data is 455 GB APPR.
When I right click on '.inprogress' file and clicked on show package content it gives different folders.
If I put first file from this folder to 'Get Specified finder item' I get error immediately.
This is the list of folders I get when I clicl on show package content
There is Error.. when I click Run
You need to go one more level down before you use Get Specified Finder Items. Use the arrow on the left inside the .inProgress file to show the enclosed backup sessions. These sessions are labeled with UNII (Unique Identifier Codes AAAAAAAA-BBBB etc.) Once you get in inside one of these you can make the selection for the folder you want to restore. In your post you had Create Archive BEFORE Get Specified Folder, it needs to go AFTER that step. I hope that helps.
You don't select the Macintosh HD-Data folder for use in Automator, you have to open it then select folders within. If the folder is grey then it was probably never closed properly. I found these links in searching, but cannot vouch for their usefulness or safety. Since writing to this folder was probably interrupted, the data contained might not be accessible.
https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/216230/grayed-out-folder-wont-open-in-finder
https://www.easeus.com/mac-file-recovery/how-to-fix-grayed-out-folders-or-files-on-mac.html#1.
Other solutions can be found by using this search: macos gray folder will not open
Good luck.
Recover data from Time Machine inProgress file.
