The most common problems with Time Machine backups, and how to tackle them using free tools.
Time Machine
A detailed walk through the log extract delivered simply by Mints, showing steps in a normal Catalina backup.
APFS adds 6 volume roles, including one which supports Time Machine backups. And per-file encryption is coming.
Spundle 1.1 adds creation of encrypted sparse bundles, changing their band size, and more.
By now, the current release of macOS has had all major bugs fixed or worked around. Isn’t this a good time to upgrade? Some practical advice on deciding and upgrading tips.
Time Machine can’t make backups to a disk formatted in APFS. Oh yes it can – and here’s how you can do it too.
Is it better to make sparse bundles ‘snug’, sizing them so that they don’t have as much free space? What if you then need to resize them?
They readily grow in size up to their maximum. But getting them to shrink when contents are reduced isn’t as easy.
How to check whether the files in a Time Machine backup are intact and uncorrupted. Only what do you do with the results?
Selecting a RAID level to preserve file integrity can be confusing. Here’s a guide, complete with the ifs and buts.
The Eclectic Light Company 