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

[MacinMan]

Hey all,
Just wanted to post an update for today, of my TM status. I was going through my external drives I had put away, and fired up my external install of Catalina to bring it up to date. Well, the main system with the TM backup was down for several hours until I was done. When I went back, TM picked up and resumed without issues. I also seem to have reclaimed a bit of space on the TM drive after it got the backups back in order after skipping several hours.

I also want to mention that, the initial backup after the system came back up was not long at all, It wasn't long and drawn out to catch up. So, for now, things seem to be working as they usually have in the past with various versions of macOS.

 

[Bobcollard]

Personally I use an internal SSD for time machine, I had problems getting time machine on an external SSD to be recognized with Monterey. "No Time Machine found." When trying to "Restore." I am using it for backup of Home currently. I use an NVMe for a startup drive. All Three drives are only 512 GB each, so the speed and length of time is relative. I do have a 1TB external mechanical HD for archives, but, I do not leave it plugged in. Running a Late 2014 Mac mini. Did all of the upgrades myself. Trained in Micro Computer Repair a long time ago with NRI mail order course.

 

[5425642]

I have ditched TM for a long time ago and I'm using ARQ with 1TB storage and up to 5 devices paying like 4 dollars a month or something like that. And if 1TB are not big enough you can setup så ARQ store your backups on OneDrives etc.

TM are good for sure but it's better options out there, I want to have backups running when I'm on the run also and I don't like to have external SSDs etc. connected. For just face it when is it the biggest risk for the computer to get broken? At home or when your on the go?

 

[monkeysimple]

I have a M1 Max and get the waiting to complete first backup message from TM. I have been going back and forth with Apple support for a week or so. They have done multiple data captures to pass to engineering. I'm still waiting for any progress. I also use CCC and it is working on this machine.

 

[5425642]

I have a M1 Max and get the waiting to complete first backup message from TM. I have been going back and forth with Apple support for a week or so. They have done multiple data captures to pass to engineering. I'm still waiting for any progress. I also use CCC and it is working on this machine.

Sadly macOS 12.0.1 are not optimal for the M1 Pro and M1 Max - My guess is that macOS 12.1 will fix all of this things.

 

[MacinMan]

I'm glad I'm sticking with Intel for a while longer. The new Apple silicon macs sound great and they are for many things. However, I would rather have stability over bleeding edge. I'm sure by the time I NEED a new computer, the Apple Silicon platform will be really matured, or at least enough for me to be comfortable switching.

 

[ChedNasad]

I'm glad I'm sticking with Intel for a while longer. The new Apple silicon macs sound great and they are for many things. However, I would rather have stability over bleeding edge. I'm sure by the time I NEED a new computer, the Apple Silicon platform will be really matured, or at least enough for me to be comfortable switching.

I had the same time machine issue on my intel Macbook Pro as I am now having on my M1. (Though different than your issue, it seems to be a common one based on the thread) I really think overall my new M1 Pro is very stable and at least this is a Monterey problem. But I get the sentiment and who knows what issues could crop up over time. Certainly the early days

 

[MacinMan]

I had the same time machine issue on my intel Macbook Pro as I am now having on my M1. (Though different than your issue, it seems to be a common one based on the thread) I really think overall my new M1 Pro is very stable and at least this is a Monterey problem. But I get the sentiment and who knows what issues could crop up over time. Certainly the early days

My initial issue has been fixed, but Thank you for another intel report. When I refer to stable. In my case, the thing I appreciate about Intel macs the most is having one computer to run any OS I want on, without needing multiple physical computers. Most of the time my third Party operating systems are installed in VMs. However, because it's an Intel Mac, the option to install any host operating system I wanted to, is there, and that's what I like, is just having the option. I'm sure that will come to the Apple Silicon Macs in a few years as the platform matures, but it's limited right now.

Anyway, I'm hoping Apple gets a handle on this soon, especially for those of you still having unresolved issues.

 

[jg66ue]

Update from me is that Apple engineers keep asking for more diagnostics. Outside of that, they can't quite pinpoint what the issue is yet, but sounds like they know there is an issue.

 

[likegadgets]

Update from me is that Apple engineers keep asking for more diagnostics. Outside of that, they can't quite pinpoint what the issue is yet, but sounds like they know there is an issue.

With my system they no longer are requesting anything (but they have asked for screen recording, system files, etc.). The Sr. Advisor acknowledged that they are very aware of the issue and they have multiple reports. He said "It will be fixed in a future release..." very unspecific....

 

[Cameront9]

I having this slow issue too. Tried the first backup and it got to about 500 MB copied and then started copying at a snails pace. I've tried the terminal trick...And the interesting thing is that sometimes when I go to change the terminal flag from 0 back to 1 (what is normally is), I find that it's changed it back to 1 by itself!

My Time Machine is copying like kb at a time. It's been plugged in about 4 hours and has only copied 30 MB. Not good. Hope they fix this soon as I find Time Machine backups a huge peace of mind.

Oh, I'm on an Intel MBA with a Mechanical backup drive.

 

[t1mmyp]

So pleased I found this thread, it's been driving me mental and spent the last few days with support trying to fix it. Fully erased a drive for absolutely no reason hoping to resolve this. Really hope for a fix soon.

 

[t1mmyp]

P.S - Speaking to a really decent support rep at 5pm GMT, will highlight this thread, see if I can get some detail for you all.

 

[MacinMan]

P.S - Speaking to a really decent support rep at 5pm GMT, will highlight this thread, see if I can get some detail for you all.

A few of us (including myself) have submitted this Thread to Macrumors for them to look into drawing attention to the time machine issue. It seems like, depending on who you talk to, this isn't a a widespread major issue, while the number of people experiencing various issues keeps growing as they report here.

I don't typically do beta testing on a regular basis: so I will ask, if anyone has tested Monterey 12.1 beta 2 to see if there are any improvements? For me personally, Time Machine has continued to run normally ever since I solved the initial problem I was having when starting this thread. I've been keeping an eye on my backup so I can report anything odd. So far, all I can report is that it's continued to work as expected, which I know everyone here wishes they could also report.

 

[t1mmyp]

Not going to tap into the Beta yet, will wait for more details!

 

[Macintosh101]

P.S - Speaking to a really decent support rep at 5pm GMT, will highlight this thread, see if I can get some detail for you all.

Yes please do update us. This really needs to be fixed.

 

[likegadgets]

So pleased I found this thread, it's been driving me mental and spent the last few days with support trying to fix it. Fully erased a drive for absolutely no reason hoping to resolve this. Really hope for a fix soon.

Oh, Apple engineering knows.... A few here (me included) have undergone the testing you are likely doing with them. I suppose Apple is trying to gather as much info as they can. From my last interaction, they confirmed they have several reports and are now aware, but no solution until a future update. I doubt that 12.1 will address this. However both SuperDuper and CarbonCopy are viable and good backup alternatives for the time being.

 

[t1mmyp]

Oh, Apple engineering knows.... A few here (me included) have undergone the testing you are likely doing with them. I suppose Apple is trying to gather as much info as they can. From my last interaction, they confirmed they have several reports and are now aware, but no solution until a future update. I doubt that 12.1 will address this. However both SuperDuper and CarbonCopy are viable and good backup alternatives for the time being.

Thanks mate - I'm tempted to grab SUperDuper or CarbonCopy, any recommendations? Both seem to be very popular.

 

[MacinMan]

Thanks mate - I'm tempted to grab SUperDuper or CarbonCopy, any recommendations? Both seem to be very popular.

I have both programs, I like both, but If I had to give you a comparison, If you want to be able to clone the Recovery partition, CCC has been able to do that, while SuperDuper Can't. Beyond that, it's mainly a choice of interface.

 

[likegadgets]

Thanks mate - I'm tempted to grab SUperDuper or CarbonCopy, any recommendations? Both seem to be very popular.

I have both. I run a nightly automated copy on each. SuperDuper support is great. The developer answers in hours if not in minutes. Carbon Copy I started using since this problem (I ran two time machines and a SuperDuper). It has a very good interface and has more features, such as snapshots in time. Both capable of also making bootable copies. At Present SuperDuper has an error with the bootable copy that I suspect is related to the same Time Machine problem, as it finishes the backup, but mounting and unmounting to bless the drive fails. Carbon Copy reports it was successful creating the bootable copy, but I have not tested booting from it. Both copies when viewing the drives appear to have full backups of my Mac. Both have free trials - take a look at them/

 

[MacinMan]

I have both. I run a nightly automated copy on each. SuperDuper support is great. The developer answers in hours if not in minutes. Carbon Copy I started using since this problem (I ran two time machines and a SuperDuper). It has a very good interface and has more features, such as snapshots in time. Both capable of also making bootable copies. At Present SuperDuper has an error with the bootable copy that I suspect is related to the same Time Machine problem, as it finishes the backup, but mounting and unmounting to bless the drive fails. Carbon Copy reports it was successful creating the bootable copy, but I have not tested booting from it. Both copies when viewing the drives appear to have full backups of my Mac. Both have free trials - take a look at them/

I've been curious about something. Have you, or anyone else here tried backing up to iCloud Drive? By default, Apple Mobile devices backup to iCloud, so was curious if it works well for the Mac, (if it's even possible.)

 

[likegadgets]

I've been curious about something. Have you, or anyone else here tried backing up to iCloud Drive? By default, Apple Mobile devices backup to iCloud, so was curious if it works well for the Mac, (if it's even possible.)

I have not. The MAC backup would be too large

 

[MacinMan]

I have not. The MAC backup would be too large

OK, was curious since I had considered doing it, even before this issue came up. I've never fully trusted TM, and I thought it would be a good way to have a backup off site as well. I know there are plenty of third party solutions. Was just curious if Apple had one in addition to TM.

The other thing I wanted to bring up, since it's been about a week, no one from Macrumors has contacted me about my submission of this thread / issue.

 

[likegadgets]

The other thing I wanted to bring up, since it's been about a week, no one from Macrumors has contacted me about my submission of this thread / issue.

They also did not contact me. Clearly they don't view this is a large enough issue, as several of us reported it. As more machines get delivered I suspect there will be more cases. Maybe then they will highlight it. Perhaps we should mention it to either iClarified or 9 to 5 Mac. But I am not active or registered in either of those sites, and I am satisfied that Apple is very aware of the issue.

 

[t1mmyp]

Hey guys, had another call from my support rep. Told him about this forum and the number of us having this issue, he's looking into it further now.

I've decided to just ditch TM and backing up and I'm just going to use dropbox for important files now until this is officially sorted.