Time Machine can't exclude backup copies of MacOS

Ragtimer wrote:

I use a number of active volumes, and keep backups of them all. I use Time Machine to back up several important volumes (including the system) on one HDD. I also use Carbon Copy Cloner to maintain copies of *all* volumes (including the system) daily on two other separate HDDs, one of which I periodically cycle offsite with yet another HDD.

That was using Monterey and it all worked great. I recently acquired a new iMac, loaded Ventura, and by choice, am manually migrating everything to the new one.

When setting up TM, I can’t Exclude the CCC backup copies of the OS volumes. (I could under Monterey.) These two volumes simply don’t appear in the list so I can’t specify them to exclude them. In fact, they don’t appear anywhere in Finder or any other typical method. I do see them in the Volumes directory using the Terminal “ls” command, and I determined that they do not have the Visibility attribute turned off. They *do* appear in the CCC “Volumes” list, and TM backs them up, so obviously, both CCC and TM are running off the Volumes directory itself.

I still haven’t turned on my daily CCC backup tasks, so the two volumes in question are still copies of the prior Monterey system. I highly doubt that I’ll see anything different when these become Ventura backup copies. The clue is that TM doesn’t give me the option to exclude the current system volume because it also does not appear in the lists.

So what gives? Has Apple decided that *any* volume with MacOS on it should now be totally inaccessible by the user?

How do I exclude the two CCC backed up copies of the OS volumes from being backed again up by TM?

Your backup of the macOS is of no use.

Time Machine will restore your user to a Mac with a macOS, this is part of the security and the SSV (Signed System Volume) snapshot that is used.

You restore the macOS feom Recovery—

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

You restore your User data from Time Machine—

Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support

Ragtimer wrote:

leroydouglas wrote:

Your backup of the macOS is of no use.

Are you telling me that my only option to back up my iMac internal drive (i.e. my information) is to rely solely on TM??

No. That is not what I said.

Bootable clones are no longer possible, however that will not stop you from using the well loved third party backup software to copy your user data; this includes In your case above—CCC.

if you have an issue with their software than contact support:

How do I get help? | Carbon Copy Cloner | Bombich Software

Contact Bombich Software - Carbon Copy Cloner

Knowledge Base: Carbon Copy Cloner 6

I would not use TM to make a copy of the CCC copy....maybe that is your issue.

If you value your user data

3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite. 

More than one device, more than one backup methodology.

tbirdvet wrote:

You can still make a bootable clone using the legacy feature in CCC although not much value with Silicon Macs unless you just want to test a new OS before making the leap to your internal drive.

Then you will have to explain to the OP what " legacy feature" are, and why not Silicon Macs.

You can still make a bootable clone using the legacy feature in CCC although not much value with Silicon Macs unless you just want to test a new OS before making the leap to your internal drive.