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User profile for user: jkbsnet
jkbsnet Author
User level: Level 1
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Three folders in Time Machine backup with new Macbook

I recently purchased a new Macbook Pro and restored it from a Time Machine backup. After a few backups of my new Macbook in Time Machine, I noticed something different. Within the Backups.backupdb->Macbook Pro->backup date, I only had one folder named "Macintosh HD." But under my new Macbook Pro within the Backups.backupdb->Macbook Pro 2->backup date I now have three folders: "Macintosh HD", "Macintosh HD - Data" and "Recovery". Every backup since I started Time Machine with my new Macbook has all three folders. Is this how it should be, and it's something different with Big Sur vs. the older macOS? Will this be a problem if I need to use Time Machine to restore the Mac in the future? Thanks for any advice for this novice :)

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on May 19, 2021 10:56 AM

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User profile for user: Grant Bennet-Alder
Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10
129,409 points

Posted on May 19, 2021 11:51 AM

I don't think there is anything wrong with your backups.


The most recent MacOS created a separate Volume (double-locked to reduce malware) that contains the invariant portions of MacOS System. Macintosh HD splits into Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD Data, one of which contains the locked system files. The two Volumes are mounted in a way that makes normal software see no changes, and System Software see a read-only System Volume that cannot be tampered with.


Recovery also got their own Volume, which may be holding incoming software updates. This makes updating software not so heavily reliant on having all of MacOS File System available and error-free for Installations. You would expect to see the incoming MacOS installer/updater here, rather than in the /Applications folder as before.



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User profile for user: Grant Bennet-Alder
Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10
129,409 points

May 19, 2021 11:51 AM in response to jkbsnet

I don't think there is anything wrong with your backups.


The most recent MacOS created a separate Volume (double-locked to reduce malware) that contains the invariant portions of MacOS System. Macintosh HD splits into Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD Data, one of which contains the locked system files. The two Volumes are mounted in a way that makes normal software see no changes, and System Software see a read-only System Volume that cannot be tampered with.


Recovery also got their own Volume, which may be holding incoming software updates. This makes updating software not so heavily reliant on having all of MacOS File System available and error-free for Installations. You would expect to see the incoming MacOS installer/updater here, rather than in the /Applications folder as before.



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Three folders in Time Machine backup with new Macbook

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