How can I delete specific items from an external Time Machine backup?

This guidance to exclude files from Time Machine backups:

Exclude files from a Time Machine backup on Mac - Apple Support

Go to Time Machine Settings, click the Options... button and then the Add button ( + ). Navigate to and add what it is you wish to exclude.

As for deleting specific items from a TM backup, that is no longer an option. TM has evolved along with Apple's APFS disk format and the option no longer exists. The only way to delete previous backups is to erase and reformat the TM backup drive, then proceed with a new backup after excluding those files you no longer wish to back up.

You can't. You might be able to get into the backup and delete specific files but there's a huge risk that if you ever need to restore from the backup then it will fail. You won't notice this problem until you need your backup.

Many of my client contracts have clauses regarding data retention and deletion and I always put client files on an client- or contract-specific encrypted USB stick and back it up manually to a client/contract-specific backup drive to ensure that I can meet the contract requirements regarding data retention and deletion. It's a lot easier than worrying about whether there's a rogue copy of a file lurking in my backups.

If you work on files which you think will need to be excluded from backups then you can put them in a folder which you exclude from backups as D.I. Johnson explains. You'd then need to back them up manually and separately.

Alternatively, you could use a different backup app, such as Carbon Copy Cloner. You could set up CCC to backup all your files and still have the ability to remove files without it messing up future restores, but you'll need to read up on CCC's settings to make sure it will be possible. Your backups will be bigger and you'll have less access to all the versions of all the files you've ever created but if you do it right it's simple to search the backup for files and folders and delete them. There's always a risk that it will mess up one-click recovery, but all your backed up files will still be recoverable.

BTW - you should be using something like CCC as part of a good 321 backup system. Google it if you've not heard of it.

Hi Radiowatch

You have hit a really important security issue that is Apple has decided to take away the choice of the User/Owner/Customer to be able to delete files from TM backup. Many I’m sure have worked on a confidential files and TM had copied them. They will now stay there unless the automatic of TM culling perhaps kicks in and deletes the ‘offending’ backups.

I have raised this with Apple but....

There is an only slightly less ‘elephant to crack a nut’ approach than what D I Johnson has suggested as you can delete individual hourly/daily backups.

see

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250009855

You have to ensure you give full disk access to Terminal in:

 “System Settings/Privacy and Security/Accessibility”

 For typing the TM volume path I found it easier if the TM backup disk name is a complete word e.g. “M1timemachinebackup” rather than “M1 time machine backup”

If you have a file you wish to remove you might find you need to delete many daily backup and of course loose all the backup data that was contained in those backups not just the file.

radiowatch wrote:

How can I delete specific items from an external Time Machine backup?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Time Machine

The TM is a complex proprietary backup software designed for the easiest user friendly use, governed by an element of magic with no documentation of its intricacies.

Not a software designed to be manually manipulated by the end user digging around in the depths of it's bowels— this is the fastest way to corrupt this complex database, compromising its integrity and reliability when you truly need it most.

The main advantage of TM is that it creates recursive backups—enabling you to restore a specific file or the entire drive— from a certain point in time.

You have files you don't want there— erase reformat and initialize the drive as new and set up your TM drive anew.

Exclude what you do to intend to backup using the Settings.

Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac

https://support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/erase-and-reformat-a-storage-device-dskutl14079/22.7/mac/26

I don't get the rebuttal put forth above by Need_help_give_help: "I have raised this with Apple..."

The data base is encrypted if you set it up that way...

ref

Keep your Time Machine backup disk for Mac secure

Choose a backup disk and set encryption options on Mac

f you value your user data

3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.

More than one device, more than one backup methodology— and backup regularly.

I am conscious of Radioswatch’s question “how can I delete specific items” from TM, that is what we should concentrated on, so sorry for the diversions.

Noting Leroydouglas’s comment about ‘digging around’, it should be remembered there was no need to ‘dig around’ in the past in TM, for one was able, easily and safely, to delete individual files. It is a pity then Apple has been unable or unwilling to continue with that.

Unfortunately there is no ‘digging around’ now because it doesn’t work but there is a safe way to remove daily backups as I referenced. A very poor substitute, though, to previous TM setup.

TM is not as good and as useful as it used to be and so something like Carbon Copy Cloner (a wonderful user friendly programme) with Safety Net, achieves nearly the same function.

Anyway I wish Radiowatch and others who would like to have the choice to delete individual files to be able to do so safely with newer versions of TM.

Need_help_give_help wrote:

Anyway I wish Radiowatch and others who would like to have the choice to delete individual files to be able to do so safely with newer versions of TM.

Apple is not here on these forums. If you want to provide Apple with product feedback, then you can do so here:

https://www.apple.com/feedback/

Hi HWTech

Thank you for your advice.

 1.     My wish was not directed at Apple through this forum, that said Apple does monitor this forum most assuredly. Though lets not go down that rabbit hole and not have to start a new thread on the subject

2.     As you would have read at my post  7 March I said I had contacted Apple already but thanks for reminding us how to do it.

You can also encrypt your TM backups.