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Time machine backup error after updating from Sierra 10.12 to Big Sur

Since updating OS from Sierra to Big sur my backup is not working in Time Machine. It just displays backup error after a couple of minutes of preparing backup and fails. Any ideas?

iMac 27″, macOS 11.5

Posted on Feb 9, 2022 11:57 AM

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3 replies

Feb 9, 2022 6:18 PM in response to Toffeeman55

That's a massive leap in operating system versions. You might need to get another new backup drive if you wish to keep your Sierra backup history intact. Or reformat the backup drive with Disk Utility and APFS and then make it your Time Machine drive moving forward. There were many changes to macOS along the way including a new file system (APFS) and changes to Time Machine:


macOS Sierra 10.12

macOS High Sierra 10.13

macOS Mojave 10.14

macOS Big Sur 11.6.3

Time machine backup error after updating from Sierra 10.12 to Big Sur

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