Limit size of Time Machine

Question

Limit size of Time Machine

I created a apfs "partition" and set the quota size to 512GB, however once Time Machine started on the partition all size limitations. Time Machine is now using over the 512GB and it is started to eat into the size I need for other uses on the drive.

I tried using "defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine MaxSize" and setting that, but it seems to be ignored as well.

Is there any way to keep this beast from consuming a drive?

Thanks in advance!

tom

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Jul 17, 2021 3:31 PM

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Answer 1

Barney-15E

Level 10

122,486 points

Jul 17, 2021 5:03 PM in response to Computer Curmudgeon

I saw a post a while back which indicated you must create the volume and set the quota via the command line. The GUI doesn’t set it correctly such that it is respected by Time Machine (maybe not at all). If I can find it, I’ll link back to it.

Found it rather easily. Didn’t expect that.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252805777

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Answer 2

Jul 17, 2021 4:25 PM in response to VikingOSX

With HFS+ one could create a partition of a given size and it would stay within it. apfs supposedly uses quotas in a similar manner. There must be a way for time machine to stay with the quota limit. Drives are too large to dedicate one just for time machine.

Your 2.5-3x assumes time machine is the only backup. I use a could backup for most of my files. I only use Time Machine to restore the rather small internal drive.

Perhaps I am wishing too much, but if it can only use a full drive, that seems rather old school to me.

Hoping for a better solution,

tom

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