HT204157: If you can't back up or restore your Mac using Time Machine

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sashinka

Q: Why Time Machine won't let me restore to previous date?

I've tried several times, i could highlight the previous date I want to restore to but it does not get me anywhere. Any suggestions how I should proceed? Thanks.

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.2)

Posted on Aug 12, 2016 9:54 AM

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Q: Why Time Machine won't let me restore to previous date?

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  • by steve626,

    steve626 steve626 Aug 12, 2016 11:12 AM in response to sashinka
    Level 4 (1,551 points)
    Aug 12, 2016 11:12 AM in response to sashinka

    If you want to restore just a folder or some specific files, you highlight them inside the Time Machine interface and click the restore button, just those files/folders will be restored.

     

    To restore your entire computer to the way it was previously, see this:

     

    Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac - Apple Support

     

    "Restore everything:

    To restore everything in your Time Machine backup, use OS X Recovery."

     

    Since this will overwrite everything, I would first make a "clone" (using a program like CCC, SuperDuper, etc.) on a separate external drive as a precaution in case you encounter an issue with your backup or restore process.