Time Machine deleted data off external hard drive

Question

Time Machine deleted data off external hard drive

Apple support was not able to solve my issue:

I attempted to add an external hard drive (with files already on it) to back up my computer using time machine.

When prompted to add the disk to time machine, I selected yes.

Then, time machine began to delete all the existing data off the hard drive. There was NO prompt to accept this. I was also not able to cancel.

This is a serious issue. Beware.

Don't use time machine, just backup your information as needed.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Oct 9, 2022 5:10 PM

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Answer 1

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Top-ranking reply

steve626

Level 6

12,387 points

Oct 9, 2022 8:26 PM in response to bummer_festCA

This is actually documented by Apple:

Types of disks you can use with Time Machine on Mac - Apple Support

"Note: The entire APFS volume is reserved for Time Machine backups. If you want to store files other than the Time Machine backup on the same physical device, use Disk Utility to create an additional APFS volume on the disk. The two volumes then share the available space."

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Answer 2

steve626

Level 6

12,387 points

Oct 13, 2022 7:06 PM in response to bummer_festCA

bummer_festCA wrote:

I understand that it is possible to do so now, but the issue lies in the fact that there was no prompt to confirm deleting my files off the external disk prior to using it for time machine.

This needs to be resolved asap.

Communicate your concerns directly to Apple: Product Feedback - Apple

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Answer 3

Oct 13, 2022 3:55 PM in response to steve626

I understand that it is possible to do so now, but the issue lies in the fact that there was no prompt to confirm deleting my files off the external disk prior to using it for time machine.

This needs to be resolved asap.