Backup snapshot

I keep getting a pop-up when trying to do my time machine backup saying " Time Machine could not create a local snapshot to backup from because there was insufficient free space on the source volume." I have Seagate backup plus portable drive which normally works. How do i resolve this problem?


MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Aug 14, 2022 8:06 PM

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Aug 14, 2022 9:37 PM in response to jayvee291

jayvee291 Said:

"Seagate external hard drive - 1.51 TB available. Macintosh HD Internal storage - 3.1 GB available.: How do i free up internal storage? How do i trash the old snapshots?"

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Using Time Machine:


A Second Hard Drive:

Frankly, I'd just use a new hard drive, and set it up for Time Machine Backup. All would be fine form there. The best method is to format it in Disk Utitlty as APFS, and then assign it as a Time Machine Backup Drive. Go Here: Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support


Removing Snapshots:

Go here: View APFS Snapshots in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support


As for what to Clean:

A. Large Files:

Clean out any unnecessary items that consume up lots of data (i.e. downloaded iTunes Movies and TV Shows).


B. Clear the Temporary Internet Files:

Aug 14, 2022 8:13 PM in response to jayvee291

jayvee291 Said:

"Backup snapshot: I keep getting a pop-up when trying to do my time machine backup saying ' Time Machine could not create a local snapshot to backup from because there was insufficient free space on the source volume.' I have Seagate backup plus portable drive which normally works. How do i resolve this problem?"

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Verify Storage Capacity:

How much space is left on this external hard drive? How much internal storage do you have? Connection the Seagate drive to the Mac, and open Disk Utility. If there is less available on it than required, then it will not occur. You'd have to get a new drive, or trash old snapshots.

To Open Disk Utility: Go to: Applications > Utilities

Aug 14, 2022 9:51 PM in response to jayvee291

A source volume needs a certain amount of free storage in order to function. Any newer Mac with only about 3 GB is really pushing it, and I've heard of cases where a machine stopped working as a result of there not being enough space. This especially happens with iPhones and iPads.


You might need something like an external drive that you can use to offload data and then delete it from your source.

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