Can't access Time Machine ".inProgress" file

mikereimer wrote:

I backed up my MacBook Pro to Time Machine the day before I called Apple Support. Time Machine told me it was complete and worked properly. But now, after going through hours of Apple Support (which ended in me needing to wipe my hard drive) I want to restore from that backup. For some reason only that last backup is a ".inProgress" file and I am unable to access it at all. So now I'm using my second last backup, which is 4 months old. Even if I can't fully restore my computer from the latest backup, is there any way to at least retrieve some really important files from it?

The ".inProgress" file is an incomplete backup.

https://soundsupport.biz/2016/10/23/deleting-incomplete-time-machine-backups/

https://www.baligu.com/pondini/TM/A10.html

Don't wait for a catastrophic failure to realize your backup strategy is inadequate.

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

— How to create a boot clone https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-10081

—Back up your Mac with Time Machine: 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

Greetings Mike,

It sounds like you are unable to restore your Time Machine backup. We know how important having a working computer is for you, and you’re in the right place to find a resolution. During the "clean up" process after the Time Machine completes the backup, this is one of the files that would be deleted. Any existing in-progress files would indicate incomplete backups. Please follow the steps listed in this support article: If you can't back up or restore your Mac using Time Machine.

If you need continued assistance, then please reach out to our AppleCare phone support team via this link: Get Support.

All the best!