Resolved Time machine experiencing multiple issues on Monterey (my personal issue resolved)

[white7561]

Do another manual backup from time machine menu bar. It'll backup another time fully and it'll show the time when it's done and it's gonna be fixed. Both of mine are fine backing up now

Guys just do this . I added 2 backup disks. Both after first backup still shows the waiting message. I manually backup them again with the menubar and it starts again. After it's done it's fixed . I did it for both of my drive and it works. Now it all works as usual. The hourly backup works fine. I can see the TM dates on finder etc

I'm using 16" M1 Pro MBP.

I did notice a weird thing though. When formating the old tm drives with disk utility. It's so slow . Like minutes slow. For each 2tb HDD that I have. It works fine tho after that. It's prob that bug with disk utility that causes it to fail to format some high capacity SSDs etc on Monterey

 

[berno]

Guys just do this . I added 2 backup disks. Both after first backup still shows the waiting message. I manually backup them again with the menubar and it starts again. After it's done it's fixed . I did it for both of my drive and it works. Now it all works as usual. The hourly backup works fine. I can see the TM dates on finder etc

Whilst the above method worked for you, it did not work on my MacBook Air (M1, 2020).
I got lucky by using Safe Mode to do my first TM Backup but this method doesn't work for everyone either.
This problem needs to be sorted out by Apple.

 

[jg66ue]

Guys just do this . I added 2 backup disks. Both after first backup still shows the waiting message. I manually backup them again with the menubar and it starts again. After it's done it's fixed . I did it for both of my drive and it works. Now it all works as usual. The hourly backup works fine. I can see the TM dates on finder etc

I'm using 16" M1 Pro MBP.

I did notice a weird thing though. When formating the old tm drives with disk utility. It's so slow . Like minutes slow. For each 2tb HDD that I have. It works fine tho after that. It's prob that bug with disk utility that causes it to fail to format some high capacity SSDs etc on Monterey

did not work for me either. it's def a monterey M1 issue. i've tried literally every workaround possible. it ain't happening on my own.

 

[likegadgets]

Guys just do this . I added 2 backup disks. Both after first backup still shows the waiting message. I manually backup them again with the menubar and it starts again. After it's done it's fixed . I did it for both of my drive and it works. Now it all works as usual. The hourly backup works fine. I can see the TM dates on finder etc

I'm using 16" M1 Pro MBP.

I did notice a weird thing though. When formating the old tm drives with disk utility. It's so slow . Like minutes slow. For each 2tb HDD that I have. It works fine tho after that. It's prob that bug with disk utility that causes it to fail to format some high capacity SSDs etc on Monterey

Did not work here either. It is likely a combination of several factors. Drive type, size, etc. Apple needs to address

 

[MacinMan]

In the Spirit of just keeping everyone updated: since I started this thread. Here is the latest status of my current Time Machine backup after a week, and some days of use.

 

[jg66ue]

Not to be a snot, but can MacRumors draw attention to this on their main page? I mean, people who are complaining about the color of the magsafe charger are getting a full article. It would be nice if they could draw Apple's attention a little harder to this issue. Not having a proper backup isn't ideal (yes, I back up in multiple ways), but it's a big concern that TM is this busted.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Not to be a snot, but can MacRumors draw attention to this on their main page? I mean, people who are complaining about the color of the magsafe charger are getting a full article. It would be nice if they could draw Apple's attention a little harder to this issue. Not having a proper backup isn't ideal (yes, I back up in multiple ways), but it's a big concern that TM is this busted.

Try using the "Got a tip for us" contact option at the top right corner of the forum page.

 

[vancoder]

Is the "Waiting to complete backup" message specific to Apple Silicon macs ? When I've done backups on Intel machines, it usually goes through the percentage copied, and time remaining, then says cleaning up, and then displays last backup time and when the next one will run. I've never seen the message you keep referencing on any time machine backup / Mac.

I can confirm that on my MBP M1 Max with 12.0.1 backup goes until around 97-98 percent and then stops automatically turning statuses to None for Oldest and Latest Backup, Waiting to Complete First Backup message, and there were not "Cleaning up" message a single time in my dozens tries.

What I want to add: firstly I used my external drive as TM backup on MBP i7 2019 and it was fine, then I switched to MBP M1 Max using the same drive. I erased it, reformatted and it didn't work, and what's funny is when I tried using this drive again for MBP i7 2019 it didn't work there either and the only thing that were changed is 12.0.1 installed on this machine.

 

[likegadgets]

Not to be a snot, but can MacRumors draw attention to this on their main page? I mean, people who are complaining about the color of the magsafe charger are getting a full article. It would be nice if they could draw Apple's attention a little harder to this issue. Not having a proper backup isn't ideal (yes, I back up in multiple ways), but it's a big concern that TM is this busted.

The more of us that either email them a tip at the top of the page of use the forms at the link below the more likely they will pay attention to this issue. I already did.

Submit a Tip to MacRumors

Apple News and Rumors

www.macrumors.com

 

[vancoder]

I did notice a weird thing though. When formating the old tm drives with disk utility. It's so slow . Like minutes slow. For each 2tb HDD that I have. It works fine tho after that. It's prob that bug with disk utility that causes it to fail to format some high capacity SSDs etc on Monterey

On my M1 Max machine disk utility can literally take over a minute or two to show up the actual UI (disks and buttons). I have no idea why it can be so slow at times, but I can relate.

 

[vancoder]

Guys who have a working TM, could you please install FileZilla https://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type=client (it's easiest way to see hidden folders/files without modifying Finder) and make a screenshot of /Volumes/YourTMBackupDisk? You also will need to give it an access to removable volumes in Settings > Security & Privacy > Full Disk Access.

My TM backup disk has these 3 folders, non of which looks like a complete backup to me (that's why I assume there is nothing visible in Finder). I want to compare what is finished backup supposed to look like from this perspective. Thanks.

My 2 attempts are "inProgress" and "interrupted"

 

[likegadgets]

I have pathfinder (an advanced finder program ) I have the hidden ".inprogress" file - It is 5TB disk almost full of daily and hourly backups, that are "waiting to complete" first backup.

 

[MacinMan]

The more of us that either email them a tip at the top of the page of use the forms at the link below the more likely they will pay attention to this issue. I already did.

Submit a Tip to MacRumors

Apple News and Rumors

www.macrumors.com

I could send this to them, would it make a difference that I'm the thread starter vs someone who has simply responded to it ? I'm actually surprised one of my threads actually became this active. Usually no one has an answer to what I ask, or if they do, it's one or two replies and the issue is resolved.

 

[jg66ue]

I sent them a tip, as well. It's clear that as more people try to back up these new machines, the more reports they are going to get. So, might as well push this as long as fast as possible.

 

[Macintosh101]

I sent them a tip, as well. It's clear that as more people try to back up these new machines, the more reports they are going to get. So, might as well push this as long as fast as possible.

This. We need to get this on the front page.

 

[MacinMan]

OK guys,
I have submitted this to Macrumors at the above link. I explained about the situation as I thought this was my own isolated issue when creating the thread, and then how it blew up and more and more people were having problems and wanting to get attention to the issue.

 

[Bengaldad]

I received my 16 in. M1 Max MacBook Pro on October 26, 2021. From the first day I have observed the following issues with Time Machine: TM backs up the entire MacHD then reports in the TM menu bar “Waiting for TM to finish”. In the Finder TM shows no files whatsoever. clicking on Apple>About This Mac>Storage shows > 300 Gb on the TM drive.

i have tried the following, but NONE of these steps corrected the issue: I erased and reformatted as APFS my TM disk. I replaced the USB 3 WD 4TB TM disk with a new USB 3 Seagate 5TB HD formatted as APFS. I booted my M1Max in Safe Mode and ran TM. I created a new Test User. I reinstalled Monterey. The described TM issues persisted throughout all of these changes. I have now disabled automatic TM backups since TM is not working properly.

I have spent more than 6 hours with Apple Support attempting to solve the problem without success. My active case has now been escalated to Apple Engineers and I am waiting to hear back from them.

i will report back on any further help that I get from Apple Engineers.

Yesterday, the Apple Senior Specialist whom I had been working with on the TM issues called to tell me that Apple Engineers had gotten back to her. The engineers acknowledged the TM problem with the new M1 Max, they are working to fix it, and they will notify her when a fix is available, and she will contact me then to let me know how to resolve the issue. Until TM is working on my M1 Max I will run daily backups with Carbon Copy Cloner. I will continue to report any further developments.

 

[Macintosh101]

Yesterday, the Apple Senior Specialist whom I had been working with on the TM issues called to tell me that Apple Engineers had gotten back to her. The engineers acknowledged the TM problem with the new M1 Max, they are working to fix it, and they will notify her when a fix is available, and she will contact me then to let me know how to resolve the issue. Until TM is working on my M1 Max I will run daily backups with Carbon Copy Cloner. I will continue to report any further developments.

Thanks. Also be aware this is present on my M1 Pro, so its affecting the Pro chip machines as well as the Max.

 

[MacinMan]

Great news, thanks for the feedback. Isn't this ALL Apple silicon ? not just the two current models that just came out?
I think people have reported having first gen Apple silicon that have experienced the same issue(s).

One thing I'll add for myself, I think Time Machine under Monterey, makes larger backups than previous versions. I think my 4TB drive has filled up quicker this time around. However, setting size aside for now, the backups still seem to be fully functional.

 

[berno]

Isn't this ALL Apple silicon ? not just the two current models that just came out?

Yes, I can confirm that I have the issue on my MacBook Air (M1, 2020). So it's not just the two current models.

 

[MacinMan]

Yes, I can confirm that I have the issue on my MacBook Air (M1, 2020). So it's not just the two current models.

OK, that's how I worded it to MacRumors when I submitted this, is the issue mainly affects Apple Silicon, even though I had my own isolated issue with an older Intel based iMac at first. However, if they read through the thread, they should pick up on the situation.

 

[blackdogaudio]

Great news, thanks for the feedback. Isn't this ALL Apple silicon ? not just the two current models that just came out?
I think people have reported having first gen Apple silicon that have experienced the same issue(s).

One thing I'll add for myself, I think Time Machine under Monterey, makes larger backups than previous versions. I think my 4TB drive has filled up quicker this time around. However, setting size aside for now, the backups still seem to be fully functional.

I can confirm it's happened on my M1 24" iMac though I fixed it for the moment by erasing all content and settings and I erased my backup drive.

 

[colinsky]

I thought I cured the Waiting To Complete First Backup bug on Monday 11/1. It was working fine all week on my 16/512 m1 Mini.

The onset was when I installed Monterey on an external drive. That drive is detached now and I'm running on a reinstalled Big Sur.

Yesterday Time Machine stopped working again. Now it says, Latest Backup, Yesterday, 3:43pm; next backup, today, 8:45am.

If I tell Time Machine to Back Up Now, it starts backing up, very slowly, and then stops and reports the same "latest backup" and gives me a new "next backup" time.

 

[blackdogaudio]

I thought I cured the Waiting To Complete First Backup bug on Monday 11/1. It was working fine all week on my 16/512 m1 Mini.

The onset was when I installed Monterey on an external drive. That drive is detached now and I'm running on a reinstalled Big Sur.

Yesterday Time Machine stopped working again. Now it says, Latest Backup, Yesterday, 3:43pm; next backup, today, 8:45am.

If I tell Time Machine to Back Up Now, it starts backing up, very slowly, and then stops and reports the same "latest backup" and gives me a new "next backup" time.

Sounds like Time Machine is untrustworthy for the moment....I'd perform a separate, manual backup of essential files on a separate drive if it were me for the moment. Matter of fact, it's a good idea as part of your regular backup strategy anyway.

 

[MacinMan]

I can confirm it's happened on my M1 24" iMac though I fixed it for the moment by erasing all content and settings and I erased my backup drive.

I don't own an apple silicon mac, or a mac with a T2, so the erase all content and settings options don't apply to me. Anyway something else I noticed is, within time machine, I was able to go back through the hourly backups Now since I've created my clean backup fresh since Monterey it also shows per minute statuses to it seems. Basically the timeline seems to be more detailed than it has ever been in the past. So it looks like Apple has overall changed the behavior of time machine.