Time Machine backup on macOS Sequoia cannot be completed

Hello everyone,

since the upgrade to 15.0 the Time Machine backup fails. The reason is some individual system files that cannot be backed up. Mostly some db files, such as the Library/Safari/History.db or files in the Firefox profiles. I have already excluded some files from the backup, but then Time Machine finds another file that cannot be backed up. The backup process is then canceled.

“Time Machine could not complete the backup to “Time Machine Backup”. Backup of “Library/Safari/History.db” could not be created.“

After switching from Intel to M, I had only created one backup under Sonoma so far, which worked without any problems. The two years of “Intel” history and previous OSs were also transferred. No matter which OS, Time Machine always worked without any problems.

Any ideas? Many thanks in advance!

Pi-Jay

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.0

Posted on Oct 1, 2024 12:36 AM

Top-ranking reply

med8or

Level 1

56 points

Posted on Nov 2, 2024 12:18 PM

This continues to be an issue for me and I have opened a support ticket with Apple. It has been escalated to their engineers. I have reinstalled the OS, the new 15.1 didn't resolve the issue, reformatted the drives, uninstalled the antivirus software I was using, and still have the issue. Interestingly, the backups were working again for the first few days of upgrading to 15.1 and then have stopped again.

I get no specific errors other than Backup Not Completed: Time Machine couldn't back up to....

I'll update this thread with any updates.

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52 replies

AlWeir

Level 4

3,170 points

Oct 1, 2024 6:29 AM in response to Pi-Jay

I get the occasional file that TimeMachine won't back up and it is usually a file in Notes.

Nov 2, 2024 12:05 PM in response to CasinoOwl

i get this problem as well and cant seem to find any help

Chewbury

Level 1

44 points

Nov 2, 2024 3:22 PM in response to satcomer

Time Machine is one of the very best backup systems available. It’s just unfortunate that this bug is so common.

Nov 4, 2024 3:20 AM in response to Chewbury

turned off Caffeinate and tried your commands. Worked a treat. No issues so far.

AlWeir

Level 4

3,170 points

Nov 14, 2024 11:40 AM in response to Pi-Jay

One way on my TimeMachine that it seems to stay connected is encrypt it and have the password set in the Keychain.

Nov 15, 2024 7:38 AM in response to David Edge

I have a 2020 M1 MacBook Air. Still have 1.6gb remaining on the 4gb WD drive.

kslimp2

Level 1

26 points

Nov 21, 2024 10:22 AM in response to Pi-Jay

After purchasing all new USB-C to USB-C cables and reconnecting everything directly to my M2 mini and my M4 mini, Time Machine seems to be working perfectly since yesterday.

Time Machine backup on macOS Sequoia cannot be completed