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User profile for user: BrianLHF
BrianLHF Author
User level: Level 1
5 points

Time Machine not enough space...how can I clear the old backups? (YouTube methods not working)

I am using a 16' MacBook Pro 2TB, I use a 2TB WD My Passport Ultra External Hard-disk as the time machine drive.


Recently, there was this time my MacBook went full storage mode (I stored a lot of RAW Video clips) and I think Time Machine took a snapshot of that moment and saved everything.

From that day onwards it says "Storage is full" and will not accept new backup...


I mean it makes sense but how can I remove the old backup? or even remove everything from the external hard disk completely? as I just want to backup what is in my MacBook right now.

Thanks!!!!

MacBook Pro

Posted on Jan 21, 2023 12:48 AM

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User profile for user: PRP_53
PRP_53
User level: Level 10
91,465 points

Posted on Jan 21, 2023 1:54 AM

Sometime but not always, the issue is that the Internal Drive is running low on Empty Space.


TM Backup is unable to store, on the Internal Drive, any more Snaps Shots it is schedules to make Before they are Transferred to the Destination Drive


The link below may assist in clearing excess Snap Shots from the Internal Drive


How to delete Time Machine snapshots on your Mac

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User profile for user: PRP_53
PRP_53
User level: Level 10
91,465 points

Jan 21, 2023 1:54 AM in response to BrianLHF

Sometime but not always, the issue is that the Internal Drive is running low on Empty Space.


TM Backup is unable to store, on the Internal Drive, any more Snaps Shots it is schedules to make Before they are Transferred to the Destination Drive


The link below may assist in clearing excess Snap Shots from the Internal Drive


How to delete Time Machine snapshots on your Mac

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User profile for user: Barney-15E
Barney-15E
User level: Level 10
116,488 points

Jan 21, 2023 6:21 AM in response to BrianLHF

How much data of the 2TB drive are you backing up. You probably need a much larger backup drive. If it is at least 3X the amount you are backing up, you should not run into space issues.


If as P. Phillips alludes, if you see a warning that it doesn't have enough space to create a snapshot, that is referring to the internal drive you are trying to back up. If that is the case, your backup drive is woefully insufficient in size.


If the backup drive is full, the only way to get rid of old backups is to erase the drive and start over. You need to remove it from the Time Machine backup set before trying to erase it.

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Time Machine not enough space...how can I clear the old backups? (YouTube methods not working)

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