Reading about the new APDS features in Catalina, I'm wondering if Time Machine volumes are now APFS? Would be pretty surprised if they're still HFS+
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Has Time Machine moved to APFS in Catalina?
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Backing up over a network using SMB (via Samba 4.8 and newer) is super fast.
According to the Apple support website on APFS it says
So, at least there, there is no comment saying that Time Machine does not support APFS. Searching if Time Machine on 10.15 will support APFS, Google links to this thread, even though useful, I wouldn't call it definitive.
I recently lost a back up due to corruption of the file system, "hfs_swap_BTNode: offset #1 invalid", so I look forward to APFS.
On 10.14, it's very clear "Time Machine can’t back up to an APFS-formatted disk". I expect an update for 10.15 will be on the same page.
So, at least there, there is no comment saying that Time Machine does not support APFS. Searching if Time Machine on 10.15 will support APFS, Google links to this thread, even though useful, I wouldn't call it definitive.
I recently lost a back up due to corruption of the file system, "hfs_swap_BTNode: offset #1 invalid", so I look forward to APFS.
On 10.14, it's very clear "Time Machine can’t back up to an APFS-formatted disk". I expect an update for 10.15 will be on the same page.
It was never about that Time Machine supports APFS as a source but how Time Machine stores the backups on the other end. Currently it is a case-sensitive HFS+ partition with a lot of hard links and a folder for each backup. APFS would make it possible to create snapshots instead of folders. Sadly as one developer pointed out, APFS is so optimised for SSDs that they forgot HDD completely and APFS is very slow on those.
I’m very curious as to how you’re doing this. I’ve tried a few different techniques to use Time Machine on my Western Digital PR4100 with an external 8TB backup drive attached to a rear USB 3.0 port. Unfortunately, Time Machine continually detected it as corrupt and had to reset it. Western Digital has a laughable ”support” article with a bunch of reasons as to why it might fail and some shotgun to the face steps to try to resolve it, like not using WiFi (lol). I’ve used Windows File History over WiFi as long as its been out and it’s been rock-solid.
side note: Apple needs to allow iCloud backups for Macs.
Since most "content" is already in iCloud, music, photos, notes, etc. We need to have Settings, third party apps, and etc back up for when you get a new Mac or restore as new.
Since most "content" is already in iCloud, music, photos, notes, etc. We need to have Settings, third party apps, and etc back up for when you get a new Mac or restore as new.
I use an Synology DS116 for my backup via SMB3 and Time Machine, this works mostly okay. Sometimes I think the NAS isn't waking up fast enough for TM but otherwise it is working fine. When Catalina will arrive I will move the TM bundle folder into a different folder on my NAS to keep the data intact.
Can you email me how to do this or post here. TM to an old USB drive is VEERRRRYYYY slow. It is formatted MacOSX extended Journaled. I understand that APFS no goog and only HFS+ works
If i can use samba/SMB abs it is fast so much better. SAMBA has been around for many years. brannigan.mark@gmail.com if email suits
Very disappointing indeed. I have a 2TB Samsung T5 Portable SSD and when I set it to be used for TimeMachine Backups macOS formats it as Journal 
Time Machine's performance over the last few years has gotten worse & worse. It seems to take forever to complete a backup.
Not sure if this is new in Catalina. But there’s an APFS role for backups and sidecar. Both of which have (Time Machine) after their name. When using the backup role, time machine prompts an HFS erase. With the sidecar role, time machine doesn’t show it as a useable disk, at all. Even though it always shows up in finder.
Is Time Machine still a good solution for backups when it comes to OSX?
I tend to create a SuperDuper clone before any major system upgrade/change, but was looking to set up Time Machine to an external NVMe SSD as a more regular backup for documents and other data. Are there any alternatives to Time Machine, or is it still the best/easiest to stick with?
I tend to create a SuperDuper clone before any major system upgrade/change, but was looking to set up Time Machine to an external NVMe SSD as a more regular backup for documents and other data. Are there any alternatives to Time Machine, or is it still the best/easiest to stick with?
I use both. I have TM running 24/7 for hourly, incremental backups, then I run a CCC clone every week or so as a second backup.
Hi - can you post a link to GOOD instructions on backup to SMB/samba share please? I have an old usb drive and TM keeps stopping due to the drive being corrupted guess or maybe its the Sparebundle format.
Anyway, I have SuperDuper and could get CCC but keep hearing the SMB backup is faster - just need simple instructions on setting this external drive up as Samba share please. Can it be direct connected OR do you need to place on another server/pc On the LAN?
Mark B
how about some SAMBA instructions or a link to those? I have searchged myself but get a bunch of suggestions that do not work.
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Hi - can you post a link to GOOD instructions on backup to SMB/samba share please?
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You should be able to just select the mounted shared drive as the Time Machine destination. That said, I have read a lot of posts on here from members having trouble using third party (non-Apple) networked devices for Time Machine backups. I don't know it if is something about Apple's SMB implementation or what.
There is (and sadly can't be) a universal set of instructions. Too much depends on the destination SMB share device. Apple have instructions for using a Time Capsule or another Mac as destination https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202784. This is a start, but for other devices you need to have a discussion with the device's vendor about TM capability.
Apple could do more by specifying the SMB requirements for TM. But that is highly technical and Apple doesn't do technical for end users. Apple expects the NAS (or other OS) vendor to discover the requirements.
CCC to an attached drive is usually faster than SMB. Additional network overhead, competition for network resources, etc. 1Ge is going to top off at ~100 MB/s, where an attached fast hard disk can go over 150 MB/s. SSDs (not a good TM option) and RAID devices even faster.
If you are backing up to a NAS you may need to set a share so it is discoverable by Time Machine, otherwise it won't show up in the TM list of available disks.
Here, for example, are Synology's instructions:
How do I back up files from my Mac to NAS using Time Machine? - Synology Knowledge Center
Synology Knowledge Center offers comprehensive support, providing answers to frequently asked questions, troubleshooting steps, software tutorials, and all the technical documentation you may need.