Seagate hard disk didn't show up in Time Machine options

Hey, I try to use Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD to backup my Macbook but it didn't show up in the Time machine disk choice page. What should I do?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 13.0

Posted on Nov 13, 2022 7:23 AM

Similar questions

Time Machine Does not recognize Seagate backup drive for backup The Seagate backup drive is installed correctly as the icon is displayed on the desk top and is listed in Disk Utility. However, Time Machine will not recognize that specific back up drive. Options does not allow "Add a backup drive" for this Seagate hardware.
1796 6
Time machine does not see my new external drive. I have a new MacBook pro and wanted to do the first time machine back up on a new external hard drive but time machine does not see it. I can see it on the desk top and in finder. Is there something I need to do to prep it for time machine? Ventura update installed.
1025 1
Not being able to remove a drive from Time Machines exclusion list I am trying to make TimeMachine make a backup of my external drive and think I have followed all the steps needed to do this, plus reading up on older issues people have had, but I am no step closer to a solution. The TM-drive is a 4 TB Samsung and the drive I want to include is a 2 TB Samsung. It should fit with other words, and it's not even half full either. I have tried finding hidden .mac files that exclude the drive, and things like that. I have tried creating a new admin account but it is the same there. Does the drives filetype matter? I notice that the two drives are different in that regard. What am I doing wrong?!
892 3

3 replies

Nov 13, 2022 7:38 AM in response to bowie_13

did you erase and reformat the drive first? if not, there may be software on the drive that was preloaded by seagate to make the drive "Mac ready".

if you did not reformat it, please see Erase and reformat a storage device in Disk Utility on Mac - Apple Support

be sure to format it as APFS.

bowie_13 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 13, 2022 7:51 AM in response to jeffreythefrog

Thank you so much! It now works well!

Nov 13, 2022 7:54 AM in response to bowie_13

you're welcome. :)

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Seagate hard disk didn't show up in Time Machine options

Welcome to Apple Support Community

A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.

Learn more Sign up