MacBook Air won't connect to Time Machine for backup

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Level 1

4 points

MacBook Air won't connect to Time Machine for backup

We just got a new Seagate One Touch backup drive. It is connected to my IMac (2015) running on the latest version of Monterey (apparently it cannot be updated to Ventura). My MacBook Air, running on the latest version of Ventura will not connect to this via Time Machine. This is what I get when I try to add a new backup:

We used to have a MacBook Pro but have not had one for some time. I cannot get to any screen that will allow me to find and select the new backup drive. The drive is visible if I select Network and sign into the IMac remotely. Help!

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.4

Posted on Jun 22, 2023 11:44 AM

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Answer 1

CinPS Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 22, 2023 2:16 PM in response to ku4hx

The Macbook Air will not connect to the Seagate backup via Time Machine. When I select Set Up disk, I get a login, presumably for the MacBook Pro as my login for the IMac does not work. We do not have a MacBook Pro anymore.

Nowhere do the instructions say that each machine must have a separate disk. We have, in the past, had all three computers back up to one disk (each had its own folder of course). In fact the instruction mention backing up another machine on a disk connected to the IMac.

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Answer 2

ku4hx

Level 7

23,586 points

Jun 22, 2023 1:18 PM in response to CinPS

"My MacBook Air, running on the latest version of Ventura will not connect to this via Time Machine. This is what I get when I try" is confusing. Cannot connect to what? Time Machine backup drives should be a dedicated drive for a single Mac.

Apple's guidance: Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support. If you followed all the steps, what went wrong? What error messages if any did you get?

What happens when you click "Set up Disk"?

If you have any of the Seagate software installed, consider uninstalling it. It's really not needed for a simple backup drive.

You can also erase and reformat the drive using Disk Utility before you try and set up TM. I suggest you do that.

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MacBook Air won't connect to Time Machine for backup

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