Time Machine backup on macOS Sequoia cannot be completed

Hello everyone,

since the upgrade to 15.0 the Time Machine backup fails. The reason is some individual system files that cannot be backed up. Mostly some db files, such as the Library/Safari/History.db or files in the Firefox profiles. I have already excluded some files from the backup, but then Time Machine finds another file that cannot be backed up. The backup process is then canceled.

“Time Machine could not complete the backup to “Time Machine Backup”. Backup of “Library/Safari/History.db” could not be created.“

After switching from Intel to M, I had only created one backup under Sonoma so far, which worked without any problems. The two years of “Intel” history and previous OSs were also transferred. No matter which OS, Time Machine always worked without any problems.

Any ideas? Many thanks in advance!

Pi-Jay

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.0

Posted on Oct 1, 2024 12:36 AM

Top-ranking reply

mjmarch

Level 1

121 points

Posted on Dec 6, 2024 8:06 AM

I resolved the issue after working with an Apple support person. I have an MBP M1 Pro with MacOS 15.1.1. and I had failures with TM both on NAS and hard wired backups. My workaround, as per the boards, was to to turn off the MacOS Firewall to let the backups work to completion.

However, I also have a cyber security software which includes a firewall of its own. There is a conflict between its firewall and the MacOS one starting with Sequoia 15.x. After I turned off the security software firewall and left the Mac OS one active, all TM backups work without error. The 3rd party cyber security software firewalls need to be updated for Sequoia.

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152 replies

Kerrod

Level 1

10 points

Sep 10, 2025 5:39 PM in response to NightSailor

@NightSailor What do you mean by "I disabled the time machine volume and then reset it."? What does this do and what are the steps to do this?

Many thanks....

Xoraji

Level 1

8 points

Nov 24, 2024 1:18 AM in response to MacLambh

Interestingly enough it does appear to have backed up even though that error is displayed. I added a new file, backed up using back up now, got the error message, but then I erased the file and restored it from Time Machine successfully.

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Time Machine backup on macOS Sequoia cannot be completed