Level 3

727 points

Time Machine defaults to backup to my NAS and not to my external time machine formatted drive

I have an external drive which is Time Machine formatted (APFS Volume • APFS (Case-sensitive, Encrypted)), and I also have on my NAS (on EXT4 formatted) created a share for Time Machine.

Now what is strange is that macOS prefers to Backup to the NAS (schedule set to Daily) and not to to the external drive.

Of course I can do manually backups to the External drive but I find it strange that Time Machine defaults to backup to the NAS and not to the external

I have of course tried a backup first to the external and 1 hour later to the NAS, and then waited a day or so. And what I found is that Time Machine had backuped to the NAS and NOT to the external

Not a major issue. but just wondering as I am reading everywhere that Time Machine prefers to backup to APFS Volume • APFS (Case-sensitive, Encrypted) drive.

Edit: The External Drive (usb connected) has the TimeMachine Logo when connected and the NAS doesn't

Mac mini (M4, 2024)

Posted on Dec 21, 2025 12:49 AM

Top-ranking reply

WenDenly201

Level 1

61 points

Posted on Dec 23, 2025 12:33 AM

Time Machine will automatically back up to the first available network destination on its schedule, even if a local APFS Time Machine drive is connected. Local drives don’t always get priority unless you start the backup manually or remove/disable the NAS as a Time Machine destination.

If you want the external drive to be the default, remove the NAS from Time Machine or temporarily disconnect the network when backups run.

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22 replies

den.thed

Level 10

97,812 points

Dec 21, 2025 8:05 AM in response to mjcm_nl

Double check the Frequency settings for the local external drive.

Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

mjcm_nl Author

Level 3

727 points

Dec 21, 2025 2:06 PM in response to den.thed

Both of them are set to :Automatic Backup (Daily)

I don't know how to set individual schedules for a drive.

den.thed

Level 10

97,812 points

Dec 21, 2025 2:39 PM in response to mjcm_nl

Set the external drive backups to Hourly and test for a day or two.

mjcm_nl Author

Level 3

727 points

Dec 21, 2025 5:01 PM in response to den.thed

So disconnecting the NAS, because I don't know how to set different schedules per drive.

mjcm_nl Author

Level 3

727 points

Dec 24, 2025 12:24 PM in response to MrHoffman

May I ask where do you see a backup that is a year OLD?

01-12-25 = 1st December 2025

Edit: 1 TiB is enough for TM because most of the data is NOT stored on the MAC but on other externals and on a NAS

den.thed

Level 10

97,812 points

Dec 24, 2025 12:45 PM in response to mjcm_nl

That would be the first backup - Todays backup.

Note that the NAS shows both the first and last as Today.

den.thed

Level 10

97,812 points

Dec 25, 2025 9:36 AM in response to mjcm_nl

No problem.

If you what to check or change the time of either of those backup locations, you can perform a Manual backup from the Time Machine icon on the menu bar.

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Time Machine defaults to backup to my NAS and not to my external time machine formatted drive