I have a new MacBook Air and I set it up as new, as opposed to using my MacBook Pro backup on Time Machine.
I have everything on my new MacBook Air because it is all pretty much stored in the cloud.
I have just made my first backup of the new MacBookAir to Time Machine so, I would now like to get rid of my MacBook Pro backups.
What is the best way to get it done?
MacBook Air, macOS 13.0
Patch171 wrote:
I have a new MacBook Air and I set it up as new, as opposed to using my MacBook Pro backup on Time Machine.
By doing that, you effectively archived the MacBook Pro's backups. They will remain on your Time Capsule until you completely erase the Time Capsule — which will of course erase the new MacBook Air's backups.
Erase an AirPort Time Capsule in AirPort Utility on Mac - Apple Support
If you do not want to do that, your alternative is to erase the new MacBook Air instead. Reinstall macOS, and when asked if you want to transfer information from the Time Machine backup, do that.
We will assume that the backups of the MacBook Pro were made on a Time Capsule? Is that correct?
The best and simplest way to delete Time Machine backups on a Time Capsule would be to simply erase the hard drive, which will delete everything that is currently stored on the drive. Post back if you need the instructions to do this.
I understand that the MacBook Air is not backing up to the Time Capsule, correct?
I am assuming that the Time Capsule is still working on your network and your MacBook Pro is still working. Is that correct?
Yes.
Backups are on a Time Capsule and MacBook Pro is still working; I have just signed out of iCloud etc to begin to clean it up.
After the first reply from John, that is what I began to think I should do to free up the space on TC and to keep it neat and tidy!
Post back if you need the steps to erase the hard drive on the Time Capsule. There are two options for the erase:
The first option is a "Quick Erase", which will only take a few minutes, but it is not secure. This would be OK if you plan to keep the Time Capsule yourself.
Another option is a "Zero Out Data" which is a secure erase if you are planning to sell or give away the Time Capsule. Zero Out Data will probably take 6-8 hours.
Whoa.
If the MacBook Air is backing up to the Time Capsule, you will erase those backups as well when you erase the Time Capsule hard drive. You can start over again with a new backup after the Time Capsule hard drive has been erased.
Are you OK with this?
Is it worth turning off automatically backup in Time Machine before I erase the TC.
Yes, if you do not want the Mac to back up.....after.....the erase has been completed. Otherwise, the Mac will start a new backup after the erase has completed.
We still don't know if you need the steps to erase the Time Capsule drive.
I have only made one backup to the TC with my new MacBook Air.
Think this will be fine to erase the TC then do a backup straight away.
I think I do want to erase the TC, because why do I want to keep the MacBook Pro backups when I have done a complete reset on that laptop and will not use it in the same way.
OK, but you still have not told us if you need the steps to erase the Time Capsule hard drive. We will assume that you already know how to do this unless we hear otherwise.
If you don't want to the older MacBook Pro to back up any longer, simply remove the Time Capsule as the backup destination for Time Machine backups from the MacBook Pro.
Oh sorry, I didn't;t realise that was what you are asking!
I am going to follow these instructions...
Erase an AirPort Time Capsule in AirPort Utility on Mac – Apple Support (UK)
Sorry, should have added that the MacBook Air is backing up to the TC.
Thank you.
Is it worth turning off automatically backup in Time Machine before I erase the TC.
That is fine. Select the "Quick Erase" option for the task.
How to delete Time Machine backups
