User profile for user: katorama
katorama Author
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Delete backup files in Time Machine

I've been researching the proper "Apple approved way" to delete old backup files within Time Machine. I've found various (and sometimes painful) solutions with some that use Terminal. I don't want to use Terminal and think that Time Machine has a way of doing it without any problems. Other solutions use Time Machine but I simply don't trust what they are saying. I want to retain my most recent backup (from today) and clear out the old backups to free up space on my external HD backup (4TB WD Passport).


High Sierra, 10.13.6, 21.5 in, mid-2010


Any help from the community would be most appreciated.


Thanks!

iMac 21.5", 10.13

Posted on May 18, 2019 05:55 PM

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User profile for user: leroydouglas
leroydouglas
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User level: Level 10
196,470 points

Posted on May 18, 2019 06:06 PM

katorama wrote:
to free up space on my external HD backup (4TB WD Passport).


Not advised. Defeats the purpose of a backup. TM should be the only thing on the drive, or at least have its one dedicated partition—you never have to manage.


Oldest backups are deleted to make room for the new backups.



The Time Machine database is very easy to corrupt—great when it works, not so much when it fails.

You are better off letting TM manage its backup and space



3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.


Boot clone https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-10081

How to use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250

Use DiskUtility Restore feature https://support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/restore-a-disk-dskutl14062/mac

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User profile for user: leroydouglas
leroydouglas
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
196,470 points

May 18, 2019 06:06 PM in response to katorama

katorama wrote:
to free up space on my external HD backup (4TB WD Passport).


Not advised. Defeats the purpose of a backup. TM should be the only thing on the drive, or at least have its one dedicated partition—you never have to manage.


Oldest backups are deleted to make room for the new backups.



The Time Machine database is very easy to corrupt—great when it works, not so much when it fails.

You are better off letting TM manage its backup and space



3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.


Boot clone https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-10081

How to use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250

Use DiskUtility Restore feature https://support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/restore-a-disk-dskutl14062/mac

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Delete backup files in Time Machine

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