Apple Intelligence is now available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac!

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Time Machine

I just started getting this all the time on TM now?

Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.

What is happening?

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Oct 11, 2020 10:58 AM

Reply
3 replies

Oct 11, 2020 11:09 AM in response to delm

delm wrote:

I just started getting this all the time on TM now?
Unable to complete backup. An error occurred while creating the backup folder.
What is happening?



"Time Machine has completed a new backup for you, or get a message saying it can't create the backup,"

or “failed to complete the backup.”


This message reappears most likely the TimeMachine disk is failing, the answer would be to replace the drive.


Rotational drives a reasonable expectation is 3 to 5 years, however Drives can fail at anytime.



3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.


—Boot clone https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-10081

—How to use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250

—Use DiskUtility Restore feature https://support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/restore-a-disk-dskutl14062/mac

note: >System Preferences>Security & Privacy >Privacy>Full Disk Access

unlock the padlock, press the + button and add Disk Utility




Oct 11, 2020 11:06 AM in response to delm

Off hand I'd say there is a problem with the backup drive. Try reformatting the backup drive and restarting Time Machine®.


Drive Partition and Format - El Capitan or Later


  1. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.
  2. After Disk Utility loads select the drive (out-dented entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the Device list. 
  3. Click on the Erase button in the Disk Utility toolbar. A panel should drop down.
  4. In the drop down panel set the partition scheme to GUID. Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
  5. Click on the Apply/Erase button and click on the Done button when it is activated.
  6. Quit Disk Utility.


Time Machine

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.