How can I disable Time Machine backup for MacBook on Synology NAS?

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Level 1

19 points

How can I disable Time Machine backup for MacBook on Synology NAS?

I can't actually remember doing it now, but my MacBook Air is backed up to my Synology NAS using Time Machine. Some process (I assume T.M.) is creating large backup files (Macbook Air M2.sparsebundle) on my NAS - I don't actually want or need to backup my MacBook (it's not my main machine - that has it's own T.M. backup process).

I have been looking around in Time Machine Settings for where a backup process is defined but I can't find one. How can I stop T.M. backing up the MacBook?

Many thanks.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Unwanted .sparsebundle (Time Machine?)

Posted on Aug 10, 2025 5:35 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

neuroanatomist

Level 9

60,977 points

Aug 10, 2025 5:57 AM in response to bwardapple14

System Settings > General > Time Machine. You should see the NAS as a destination on the list (possible as its IP address). Select it then click the (–) button at the bottom to remove it.

Incidentally, the preferred way to use TM on an NAS is to create a volume (user folder on Synology) for backing up a single Mac, and give that volume an appropriate quote (2-3x the internal drive size).

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Answer 2

Aug 10, 2025 5:43 AM in response to bwardapple14

System Settings... > General > Time Machine > Options... > Backup Frequency > Manually

With this selection, TM will not do automatic backups.

Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Aug 10, 2025 8:19 AM in response to bwardapple14

You're welcome.

The guidance I provided above will effect only the MBA. Your Mac mini will continue to run its b/u routine.

Using the guidance provided by @neuroanatomist, you can remove the destination drive from TM's settings on the MacBook. This will effectively prevent TM from backing up to that drive.

Should you decide later that you do want to backup the MBA, you can set another destination drive and reenable automatic backups at that time.

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