Using Time Machine drive for random storage?

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Level 1

18 points

Using Time Machine drive for random storage?

My new Stuido max just arrived with latest Ventura 13.5. A lot has changed in TimeMachine since my old Mojave machine. Several new restrictions and limitations.

Is it right that I have to erase and format my external spinner drive as APFS then choose GUID?

Is it true that Apple wants us to dedicate this external drive exclusively for TM? After formatting the drive becomes read only and I can’t put other files on it?

Would a good workaround be to create a TM partition so I can use my rest of my 20TB for storage?

If that’s allowed and in the future I need a larger TM partition, I can always use Disk Utility to slide the TM partition larger? This won’t effect any of the existing files on either partition?

Thank you in advance.

Mac Studio, macOS 13.5

Posted on Aug 8, 2023 3:25 PM

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Answer 1

lkrupp

Level 7

25,083 points

Aug 8, 2023 4:29 PM in response to KidVid

You need to learn a lot more about the APFS fie system. Partitions are not even recommended anymore. APFS makes your storage device a ‘container' and multiple volumes can be created within that container. The advantage over partitions is that you never have to worry adjusting sizes or running put of space. Each volume has access to the entire storage space of the drive, so as your Time Machine backup increases in size it isn't limited by the size of a traditional partition. You never have to adjust anything. If you have two volumes, one for Time Machine and the other for “random storage” you will notice each volume will report the maximum space available for the entire drive.

APFS is a completely different animal than HFS+ or previous Apple file systems. Start investigating.

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Answer 2

KidVid Author

Level 1

18 points

Aug 8, 2023 7:58 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

Great question Bob. I have formatted my spinner drive as APFS and GUID Partition Map.

I have also chosen the "Add Volume" option and have designated 1TB for TM and the other 19TB for storage.

The 19TB of files I would like to store and periodically access are also backed up/stored off site. Stuff like home movie and archived videos that I wont alter or change.

I am comfortable with TM and have never had a problem. But if a issue were to arise I would wipe the drive and start again backing up the files that are safe in my cpu.

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Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

123,928 points

Aug 8, 2023 7:33 PM in response to KidVid

This is all you need to do.

1 Format my ‘spinning external’ drive as:

APFS (NOT case sensitive).

GUID Partition Map

Select the Container

Choose “Add Volume”

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Answer 4

Old Toad

Level 10

217,382 points

Aug 8, 2023 3:53 PM in response to KidVid

That's how TM works with drives with Ventura. Also if the TM drive fails the additional storage (if you were able to do so) would be lost with no backup. Best to get another external drive for your working storage and have it backed up with TM.

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Answer 5

Old Toad

Level 10

217,382 points

Aug 8, 2023 4:05 PM in response to KidVid

KidVid wrote:

1 - Can i set up a partition so I don't loose all that drive space for random storage?

2 - Can a partition sizes be adjusted for space in the future?

1 - you can try. Maybe create a new container.

2 - No.

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Answer 6

Aug 8, 2023 7:40 PM in response to KidVid

If you do not want to use your large external drive for only Time Machine I suggest you buy a smaller dedicated external drive. Do not store both a Time Machine backup and files on the same drive. If you were to store files on your backup drive where would you backup these additional files?

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Answer 7

KidVid Author

Level 1

18 points

Aug 8, 2023 4:01 PM in response to Old Toad

Thank you but I have a 20TB drive. I cant afford to sacrifice all that drive space for less than <1TB of TimeMachine back up space.

If anything happened to my TM data base, I still have my orig files. So im comfortable with doing this.

To format this drive? APFS then choose GUID?

Can i set up a partition so I don't loose all that drive space for random storage?

Can a partition sizes be adjusted for space in the future?

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Answer 8

KidVid Author

Level 1

18 points

Aug 8, 2023 4:44 PM in response to lkrupp

Wish I had time to invest in investigating the inner working of APFS. Like a lot of regular Mac users, I don’t know difference between volumes, containers, partitions and that’s ok with me.

From what I gather here. I need to:

1 Format my ‘spinning external’ drive as:

APFS (NOT case sensitive)

GUID Partition Map

2 Select “Partition” in Disk Utility

Select the plus icon

Choose “Add Volume” and not “Add Partition”

Does it sound like im on the right track? Thank you for helping me get back to work!

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Using Time Machine drive for random storage?

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