How can I force files on a hard disk to be erased even if they are locked?

Question

How can I force files on a hard disk to be erased even if they are locked?

I have a hard disk that I use as Time Machine backup disk. It has gotten too full for further backups, so need to delete some old backups that I no longer need. However, when I try to move those files to the Trash, I get a message saying that "The operation can't be completed because some items had to be skipped", and the Delete process stops entirely. The only hint I get is that "For each item, choose File > Get Info, make sure “Locked” is deselected, and then check the Sharing & Permissions section.", but we are talking literally about millions of (tiny) files (NO hint WHICH ones they are) - it would be impossible for me to find all of those that are locked (or is there an easy way?) and to "unlock" them one by one. Is there any way to override the lock on files that I am sure I want to delete? Or at least to CONTINUE with erasing those files that are NOT locked? I cannot simply reformat the disk because I want to preserve the backups that I DO need.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 14.7

Posted on Feb 24, 2025 06:18 AM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

122,136 points

Feb 24, 2025 06:40 AM in response to Sebastian Kuhn

You do not delete Time Machine backups. In fact, this cannot be done on an APFS formatted drive.

Instead, you label the drive with the last operating system, and backup time, and then start a new APFS formatted drive that you assign to Time Machine. The first backup will be a full backup.

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Answer 2

tbirdvet

Level 6

16,721 points

Feb 24, 2025 08:07 AM in response to Sebastian Kuhn

Even if you could delete which you should never do it may corrupt the TM files structure. Also the files would be stuck in the trash and then you would have to do another non normal process to remove them.

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Answer 3

Feb 24, 2025 08:16 AM in response to Sebastian Kuhn

Dear all, thank you for the feedback. I should clarify that I wasn't trying to delete (parts of) the backups for my PRESENT Mac - but the HD I am using as the TimeMachine backup contains additional backups from previous Macs (all in the folder "Backups.backupdb"). Since I do have duplicates for THOSE backups (which are no longer active), I wanted to delete THEM to make more room for the PRESENT backup.

I also remember very well that, in the past, TimeMachine would clean out older backups automatically to make room for new snapshots. What you are telling me is that now it simply fills up a HD and then you cannot do anything anymore except reformat (after buying a new HD to start a new set of backups). I've been annoyed about some of TimeMachine's "features" for many years, but this is a new low in MacOS being unreasonably user-unfriendly.

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Answer 4

tbirdvet

Level 6

16,721 points

Feb 24, 2025 11:04 AM in response to Sebastian Kuhn

TM still will delete old backups to make room as required however there are times it will not for some various reasons. When my drive gets full I usually erase and just start over or I will just start a new drive and keep the old one just in case.

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Answer 5

Feb 24, 2025 12:07 PM in response to tbirdvet

I understand that that is a "solution" - however, it either means I have to shell out another $100 for a new HD or I will have to erase the ENTIRE HISTORY of backups (the whole point of the concept of "Time Machine", namely being able to go back in time to an earlier version of a file that was accidentally deleted or altered). I wish Apple would pay more attention to these basic usability issues and waste less effort on cutesy emojis...

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Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

133,529 points

Feb 24, 2025 08:01 AM in response to Sebastian Kuhn

Just to add, you can of course format the drive and start a new set of backups.

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