I have two 4TB hard drives backing up with Time Machine. One of them shows the message below.
As far as I know, everything is unlocked. I'm signed in and using all my normal apps and files. Whatever it is, it has affected only one of the TM HDs.
Should I erase the disk and have it start fresh?
Your ideas will be appreciated!
Ed in Brooklyn.
Mac Studio
That is not likely to be a drive problem.
You generally see that message when you have linked the files on your Mac to your iCloud account, and are storing the Master copy of the file on iCloud. This feature is called "Optimize Storage".
But as you are now seeing, the setup has some unexpected issues. In addition, using Optimize storage is like an addiction, and is VERY hard to stop storing files on iCloud. [in my opinion] far superior long term results are obtained by adding and additional external drive, and moving some large items to that external drive. Like Music, videos, pictures, but NOT applications.
To be able to complete the backup, you Mac must spend enough 'awake but not too busy' time, logged in with the Apple-iD that owns those files, to fetch the Master copies of those files down from iCloud and allow the backup to complete.
That is not likely to be a drive problem.
You generally see that message when you have linked the files on your Mac to your iCloud account, and are storing the Master copy of the file on iCloud. This feature is called "Optimize Storage".
But as you are now seeing, the setup has some unexpected issues. In addition, using Optimize storage is like an addiction, and is VERY hard to stop storing files on iCloud. [in my opinion] far superior long term results are obtained by adding and additional external drive, and moving some large items to that external drive. Like Music, videos, pictures, but NOT applications.
To be able to complete the backup, you Mac must spend enough 'awake but not too busy' time, logged in with the Apple-iD that owns those files, to fetch the Master copies of those files down from iCloud and allow the backup to complete.
...adding an additional external drive, and moving some large items to that external drive. Like Music, videos, pictures, but NOT applications.
Thanks, Grant! This makes sense. In fact, I've tried to download files from iCloud but am told I don't have permission. This is bizarre, since I'm the only one who uses my computer.
I want all my files on the local drive.
I've looked for where I can change this to get permission, but no success.
Any advice? I appreciate your help
<< I'm seeing the same problem immediately after updating to Tahoe 26.1 >>
Then your solution should be found above.
if your situation is not identical, please describe how it is different.
I'm seeing the same problem immediately after updating to Tahoe 26.1
Time Machine issue . . .
