How to resolve 'Backup Problems' with 4TB Western Digital/MyCloud drive after macOS Tahoe 26.1 update?

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Level 1

4 points

How to resolve 'Backup Problems' with 4TB Western Digital/MyCloud drive after macOS Tahoe 26.1 update?

Happy, healthy New Year, All!

My 4TB Western Digital/MyCloud wireless backup drive keeps telling me that the 24GB of data from my 2 laptops (MacBook Air 16GB and MacBook Pro 8GB) can't be backed up because it's nearly full! I've been on tech support calls with the manufacturer and Apple lead me to believe the backup drive is damaged and needs to be replaced,

I've wiped all data from the backup and retried many times, but... <sad face>. Two questions for the community: (1) This all began shortly after installing Tahoe 26.1. Is it a Mac problem or a WD/MyCloud problem? (2) Which wireless backup drive -- not portable -- of at least 4TB do you recommend?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Naomi *******

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: Backup Problems!

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 26.1

Posted on Jan 10, 2026 3:44 PM

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Answer 1

TheLittles

Level 10

203,289 points

Jan 10, 2026 7:36 PM in response to Ms_K

“How to resolve 'Backup Problems' with 4TB Western Digital/MyCloud drive after macOS Tahoe 26.1 update?: […]Two questions for the community: (1) This all began shortly after installing Tahoe 26.1. Is it a Mac problem or a WD/MyCloud problem? (2) Which wireless backup drive -- not portable -- of at least 4TB do you recommend?”

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Hard Drive Issues After macOS Update:

Report this to Apple:

Do your Part: Inform Apple of your feedback of this issue. Include how you’ve troubleshot this, and your results. Apple wont get back to you directly, but the more feedback they receive from its users, the more likely they will know what needs to be fixed, and what their customers prefer in updates, and future macOS versions to come. Apple with know nothing of this occurrence, if you don't report it to them.

Go Here: Feedback - macOS - Apple
Select: "Bug Report" for the "Feedback Type"
Select: "Software/Firmware Update" for the "Feedback Area"
Comment: that this all began after installing an update. Include the URL of this thread.
Proceed from there as necessary

Wireless Hard Drive or Cloud Storage:

So, how exactly are you looking to backup your Macs’ data? Note that iCloud storage does not back up your entire disk image; it just backs up certain types of data: What's the Difference Between Device Storage and iCloud Storage? - Apple Support

iCloud Storage:

Preferably, if not to be used for Time Machine Backup, then I think a monthly iCloud+ Plan is the way to go about this: iCloud+ Plans and Pricing - Apple Support

Remember: You are leasing this storage —you do NOT OWN it. So, you’ll need to back it up every-so-often so that items are not lost.

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Answer 2

Ms_K Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 10, 2026 7:49 PM in response to TheLittles

Thank you. I troubleshot with Apple using screen share. The advisor concluded it was not an Apple issue. Rather, it had to do with the backup drive. But, because the drive is not an Apple product, she could go no further and referred me back to WD. Despite hours (and I mean "hours" of techtime, they could not fix the problem. I believe the drive is defective and needs replacement.

Right now, I need a recommendation for a wireless backup drive, of at least 4 TB.

Note, I have religiously used Time Machine for all my Macs. The only time I had an issue was with the Airport drive, it required replacement. I would happily have replaced it, but Apple does not make Airport anymore. Hence, the WD drive.

Thank you.

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Answer 3

TheLittles

Level 10

203,289 points

Jan 10, 2026 9:05 PM in response to Ms_K

"How to resolve 'Backup Problems' with 4TB Western Digital/MyCloud drive after macOS Tahoe 26.1 update?: [...]Right now, I need a recommendation for a wireless backup drive, of at least 4 TB. Note, I have religiously used Time Machine for all my Macs. The only time I had an issue was with the Airport drive, it required replacement. I would happily have replaced it, but Apple does not make Airport anymore. Hence, the WD drive. Thank you."

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You are welcome.

"Portable" is what I've Come Across:

Understood. Well, maybe a NAS device would do. But, looking on Amazon, Western Digital, and Seagate, and a few retail sites, all that comes up for wireless 4TB drives are listed as "Portable", rather than "Desktop". So, you might just have to go with a "Portable" model.

For Thought:

Next Time you go about purchasing an external hard drive, consider getting hardware coverage (most likely titled "Data Recovery"). I have it on my Drives, and it goes for 3 years (just over a thousand days).

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