Time Machine Not Backing Up everything

[julianbremann]

Hi, I've been using Time Machine to back up my macbook pro M2 computer since i got it in late 2023, i noticed that it hasn't backed up anything, it does the process, it creates the "backup" directories but when i checked the files there's many directories that are empty. I'm using the same hard drive that i used to back up my previous computer, an external hard drive, when i got the new computer i connected it and selected and started backing up. All the files from the previous computer backups are still on it and they are fine, meaning they are complete, but the new ones don't work. So bascally thankfully I checked, otherwise i might have never noticed. Any idea what's the problem?

 

[fatTribble]

Is your external drive dedicated to Time Machine? Is your previous computer another MacBook?

 

[gilby101]

What is model of the previous computer?
What are the macOS versions of previous computer and MBP M2?
What is the format of the backup drive? HFS+ or APFS?

As a general comment, I suggest a new backup drive for a new computer. And particularly so if there is a difference in macOS versions.

 

[Terraaustralis]

I used a 1TB Samsung T7 for my TM back-up. Then I found TM worked for a while then stopped. It seems TM had insufficient space to back-up the 390GB files and simply quit.

Apple recommends;

• Use a storage device with at least twice the storage capacity of your Mac. For example, if your Mac has 1TB of storage, your backup disk should ideally have at least 2TB of storage. If Time Machine needs more storage space, your Mac will let you know.

Now I have a 4TB TM external for TM. Checking Disk utility I find TM has used 802GB to store the 390GB files!

So maybe you simply do not have enough space for TM to work properly?