Forgot Time Machine Password

Macs use Industrial strength encryption to lock the things you tell it to lock. NO ONE, under any circumstances gets access unless they have the password.

If there were a simple way to bypass the password, the disk would not be locked, it would merely be 'annoying'.

Presuming your description is accurate, that Backup disk is locked, using Industrial-strength encryption. Only the password holder can open it. There are no back doors.

What happened to the original copies? Why are you suddenly in the position that your MUST have files off a backup drive?

What can I do?

Reformat the partition.

That's what passwords are for — to protect your data. An unencrypted Time Machine backup can be used to create an exact duplicate the Mac it backs up.

Here you go: Disk Utility User Guide for Mac - Apple Support. Refer to Erase and reformat a storage device. You need to select the partition you want to erase, then click the Erase button. Under choose a file system format, choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

Re: “… I am [only] interested in accessing …”

Access requires knowledge of the password.

You do not have that knowledge.

Therefore, you will not be able to gain access.

Yes an IRK can be used, assuming you had created one according to that document.

You originally wrote you forgot the password for that hard disk so I assume you don't have the IRK either.

StayIndie wrote:

What about decrypting? Will decrypting also unlock?

You need the password, but you wrote that you forgot it.

StayIndie wrote:

I need the information on the drive. I am NOT interested in erasing. I am interested in accessing.

How do you intend to circumvent the password requirement?