Mac mini M4 Time Machine unable to back up to SSD

Question

Level 1

4 points

Mac mini M4 Time Machine unable to back up to SSD

I have just configured a New Mac mini M4 with 512/24 using migration assistant from my old iMac

I can not seem to get time machine to back up to an SSD

I have tried various formats for a clean drive and also tried other drives I know are good (including the old iMac backup drive) but keep getting this message!

Backup Not Completed

Time Machine couldn't back up to ...

I think it may be some sort of permissions issue but don't know what!

Any ideas ???

iPhone 16 Pro

Posted on May 8, 2026 9:00 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

93,764 points

May 8, 2026 4:14 PM in response to Stuartw3d

Hmm... are you trying to multi purpose that Lexar EQ790 2TB M.2.2280 drive for other File Storage and Time Machine on different Partitions or APFS Volumes..?

If so, then that will not work because Time Machine wants to hog up and use the whole drive for backup.

A better option if you want to multi purpose the drive for files and backups, is to use CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper for backups and forget about using Time Machine. https://bombich.com/ https://www.shirt-pocket.com/

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Answer 2

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,517 points

May 8, 2026 11:59 AM in response to Stuartw3d

Just to verify your SSD is formatted APFS, GUID partition? Also how is the drive connected (enclosure or ?).

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

93,764 points

May 8, 2026 2:49 PM in response to Stuartw3d

What make and model is the hub...?

Which of the Mac mini ports is the hub plugged into...?

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Answer 4

VikingOSX

Level 10

125,374 points

May 9, 2026 6:00 AM in response to Stuartw3d

I have an M4 Mac Mini Pro (14c20g64GB1TB) that uses Time Machine to backup to a Crucial X9 SSD. That backup drive is directly connected to one of the front ports on the Mini, and the drive is exclusive to Time Machine usage.

This has been working reliably every hour while the Mini is powered since Tahoe 26.0. I replace the Time Machine drive with each major release of macOS, and considering Crucial's departure from the consumer market, the next drive will come from OWC.

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