Can't see my Time Machine backups

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Level 2

153 points

Can't see my Time Machine backups

I destroyed my new 14" M1 MacBook Pro by pouring a pint of fine craft IPA on it. I went to retrieve its Time Machine backups to install later on a replacement machine once it arrives, but they don't show up. My wife has a MacBook Air and I have a 2012 Mac Mini (that I use for running PowerCADD on Mojave since that app isn't 64-bit yet). Both of those machines back up to TM and both can see their respective backups but not each other's; neither can see my MacBook Pro's backups. How do I locate the latter?

Posted on Dec 5, 2021 04:18 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Bob Timmons

Community+ 2025

Level 10

181,646 points

Dec 5, 2021 06:26 AM in response to Brian Shaw3

You can't use Time Machine on a Mac to view the backups that have been made by another Mac, if that is what you are attempting to do.

Instead, you must use Migration Assistant to transfer the data in a Time Machine backup to another Mac. See the topic about "Transfer information from a Time Machine backup or other storage device" in this Apple Support document:

https://support.apple.com/en-ng/guide/mac-help/mh27921/mac

The process can be a bit tricky if you have not done something like this before, so it might be a good idea....and a good investment......to get with an Apple specialist on the phone who can walk you through the process step by step.

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Answer 2

Brian Shaw3 Author

Level 2

153 points

Dec 5, 2021 07:42 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks for your quick reply Bob. I left out one important detail in my original post. I did, indeed, open up Migration Assistant. But the only Time Machine file visible when I did so was the file associated with the computer I was using. But I just tried again. BOOM; all three were there, including the one I was looking for! I have no idea why they didn't show up on the first attempt. All is well now; thanks again.

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Answer 3

Dec 5, 2021 10:52 AM in response to Brian Shaw3

If possible, a wired Ethernet connection from the Time Capsule to your Mac will allow the transfer to occur 4-5+ times faster compared to WiFi. Far fewer chances of errors occurring during the process as well.

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