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Time Machine destination

Hi, My desktop storage is filling up with backup!

How do I remove it from the computer and back it up only on the external hard drive?

Is that possible?

iMac 21.5″, macOS 12.0

Posted on Nov 12, 2021 10:16 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 12, 2021 10:21 PM

Welcome to Apple Support Communities.


Did you configure to use a volume on your internal drive as your Time Machine destination?


Time Machine should only be used to backup to external drives. If this is what you need to setup, I recommend purchasing a SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE - Western Digital or a G-Technology G-DRIVE mobile USB-C Portable Hard Drive - Apple.


Regardless of which drive you choose, it needs to be formatted. Follow these steps:


  1. Go to Disk Utility (Finder > Go > Utilities)
  2. In Disk Utility, select “View” > “Show All Devices”.
  3. Select the top and non-indented drive in the external section of Disk Utility that matches the name of your external drive. 
  4. Click Erase
  5. Name: any name you want
  6. Format: Use Mac OS Extended (Journaled) if you are using macOS Catalina or earlier, or APFS if you are using macOS Big Sur.
  7. Scheme: GUID Partition Map
  8. Click Erase


Finally, setup Time Machine: Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support.


Cheers,


Jack

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 12, 2021 10:21 PM in response to 66caseys

Welcome to Apple Support Communities.


Did you configure to use a volume on your internal drive as your Time Machine destination?


Time Machine should only be used to backup to external drives. If this is what you need to setup, I recommend purchasing a SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE - Western Digital or a G-Technology G-DRIVE mobile USB-C Portable Hard Drive - Apple.


Regardless of which drive you choose, it needs to be formatted. Follow these steps:


  1. Go to Disk Utility (Finder > Go > Utilities)
  2. In Disk Utility, select “View” > “Show All Devices”.
  3. Select the top and non-indented drive in the external section of Disk Utility that matches the name of your external drive. 
  4. Click Erase
  5. Name: any name you want
  6. Format: Use Mac OS Extended (Journaled) if you are using macOS Catalina or earlier, or APFS if you are using macOS Big Sur.
  7. Scheme: GUID Partition Map
  8. Click Erase


Finally, setup Time Machine: Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support.


Cheers,


Jack

Time Machine destination

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