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Time Machine could not create a local snapshot to back up from.

I got a new 5TB Seagate external drive to back up my MacPro. The back up fails and I get this message " Time Machine could not create a local snapshot to back up from."

What is the solution

Thanx

samnik1

MacBook Pro 15″, 10.15

Posted on Mar 5, 2023 1:56 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 5, 2023 4:03 PM

The common reason for that message is insufficient space on the source volume, which requires a minimum amount of free space to create those Local Snapshots: About Time Machine local snapshots - Apple Support.


Try to create some additional space by following these two Apple Support documents:

Free up storage space on your Mac - Apple Support

Optimize storage space on your Mac - Apple Support


Be advised that once you create that space, the apparent amount of free space may appear to decrease — the opposite of what one would expect. A period of time is required for the Finder to make that space available for Time Machine to create those Local Snapshots and subsequently allow it to create a backup. That period of time is commonly accepted to be as much as 24 hours, so be patient.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 5, 2023 4:03 PM in response to samnik1

The common reason for that message is insufficient space on the source volume, which requires a minimum amount of free space to create those Local Snapshots: About Time Machine local snapshots - Apple Support.


Try to create some additional space by following these two Apple Support documents:

Free up storage space on your Mac - Apple Support

Optimize storage space on your Mac - Apple Support


Be advised that once you create that space, the apparent amount of free space may appear to decrease — the opposite of what one would expect. A period of time is required for the Finder to make that space available for Time Machine to create those Local Snapshots and subsequently allow it to create a backup. That period of time is commonly accepted to be as much as 24 hours, so be patient.

Time Machine could not create a local snapshot to back up from.

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