Can I still do a complete Time Machine restore after deleting older files?

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Level 1

13 points

Can I still do a complete Time Machine restore after deleting older files?

My TM backup disk filled up. Last week I erased files in it that were way older than what I need. Am I still able to do a complete restore of my hard drive after deleting those files? Or do I need to erase everything and lit do a new, complete backup?

The reason I ask is that I am currently on Sonoma 14.6.1 and I keep getting prompted to do the upgrade to the next version. I'm a little concerned that one or more of my applications may not work properly on that version and I'd need to revert.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Time Machine Restore?

Mac mini, macOS 14.6

Posted on Sep 30, 2025 1:08 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Clinla

Level 1

36 points

Oct 14, 2025 2:14 AM in response to Stampguy

I’ve done the same before — as long as you didn’t mess with the latest snapshots or system backups, you can still do a full restore. But if you deleted older ones manually from Finder, I’d run one fresh Time Machine backup just to be safe before upgrading

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

67,640 points

Oct 1, 2025 10:27 AM in response to Stampguy

If you deleted items from your TM backup drive, then that backup is compromised. A TM backup drive will eventually fill up and TM will automatically trim the oldest snapshots from the backup drive. No user intervention is needed.

More than likely the full drive error you encountered was likely referring to the source drive. If that is the case, then you definitely would not have enough Free storage space to perform the OS upgrade.

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Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

101,203 points

Oct 2, 2025 2:21 AM in response to Stampguy

If Time Machine Backup Utility is Not performing to your Expectations

To truly protect your non replaceable Data

Have a 3-2-1 Rescue Plan in place and always current

3 Backups using 2 methods and 1 off site incase of natural disaster or un-natural disaster.

Each of the above should be done to a Dedicated Single Purposed External Drive

Below link is intended to augment what TM Backup does

https://bombich.com

Personal note, Yes I have used that third party software since about the time of macOS 13 High Sierra

Used to make Bootable Clones during the Intel stage of Apple Computers

No longer since moving to the Apple Silicon machines

Just us it daily and on a schedule

https://support.bombich.com/hc/en-us/articles/20686449773847-How-to-schedule-a-backup

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Answer 4

Stampguy Author

Level 1

13 points

Oct 1, 2025 10:52 AM in response to HWTech

Interestingly, TM has never deleted old backup files. When my 2TB TM external drive fills up, TM says it can't do any more backups because the drive is full. So what I've done for the past couple years is to go to Finder, open that drive, and delete the oldest few month's worth of files. Not sure why TM didn't do that, as that's what it is supposed to do, right?

Anyway, I got brave this morning and did the upgrade to Sonoma. No problems - whew!

Now, should I delete that TM drive, format it, and completely clear it out, then give it back to TM? I'm thinking that will start with a new, complete backup of the computer. Your thoughts?

Jim

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Answer 5

Stampguy Author

Level 1

13 points

Oct 1, 2025 10:53 AM in response to Stampguy

I meant to say I upgraded to Sequoia.

Jim

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