In macOS Big Sur , Time Machine added backup for backup onto APFS - format loudness ( the filesystem that Apple enclose a few releases ago ) . But Apple omitted a big footnote that should be in its corroboration : An APFS - format volume ca n’t be used for networked Time Machine backups .
Time Machine can work by back up to a effort attached directly to a Mac . But if you have a desktop machine to which you may easy attach a fixed , gamey - capability drive , you may make that drive a Time Machine name and address for other Macs on the web . If you initialise that phonograph record only with APFS divider , you will attempt to follow the steps to habituate it from a web - connected Mac , and receive the following complicated monition :
You do not have the necessary read , write and tag on privileges on the selected electronic internet computer backup saucer .
Apple does n’t document this mistake on its support site , which is a pity . While it can mean many thing , in the context of Time Machine , it typically means that you are trying to back up to a Time Machine volume on an APFS - formatted partition . Instead , you seemingly can only backup over the meshwork to an old - school Mac OS Extended ( Journaled ) , make love more familiarly as HFS+ .
Because Disk Utility can adjust partition sizes non - destructively after they are create , you do n’t need to erase your Time Machine effort , but can add an HFS+ partition . Here ’s how to adjust your effort :
IDG
Now you have two volumes . In my cause , I called them “ McGraw Local Backup ” for the APFS segmentation ’s volume that I was using for local musical accompaniment from the Mac to which the private road is attached , and “ McGraw TM ” for networked - based backups to the HFS+ partition ’s volume . ( you’re able to name your volume whatever makes sense to you . )
With two partition , you’re able to set each to a disjoined filesystem type to work within Time Machine ’s limitations
you may now prepare the HFS+ book for economic consumption with Time Machine :
apply the Sharing window pane to set a volume as a terminus for Time Machine .
you could now move to other machines on the web , and the HFS+ intensity will appear as an option when you get to the Time Machine preference pane and clickSelect record . Once take , you may be remind to confirm the link , and to enroll a drug user name and word .
The networked Time Machine bulk appears as a name and address .
You should be able to connect as Guest and use it that way because you set up entree for Everyone to study and write files to the loudness . However , in examination , I incur I want to use my user name and password to create the meshing connection , even though the Time Machine bulk was n’t mounted in the Finder of other family fellow member ’ Macs .
Time Machine relief will now proceed as expected .
Encryption coda
Now , just to add to the mental confusion : after working through the above trouble with a new drive intended for Time Machine , and getting all the small-arm to work correctly together , I decided to encrypt each of the two Time Machine volumes .
In Mojave or later , encrypting an external volume converts it from HFS+ to APFS ( Encrypted ) . This seemed to do work for a bit with the Macs that previously bring forth an misplay connect to APFS . However , it quickly became fickle . So , while I did n’t get the wrongdoing noted at the start of this article again , I was unable to make reliable backups .
I had to revert . In Disk Utility , I select the partition and changed it back to Mac OS Extended ( Journaled ) , erased the existing backup , and was back in clientele . The Sharing predilection dot appeared to keep the setting for the division to act as a Time Machine volume .
Instead of using volume encryption , I opted for Time Machine patronage encryption . When you select a volume in the Time Machine preference , you may check the Encrypted Backups option , and then enter a password . Again , attempt to father and store it in a fashion that you’re able to always have it available .
Since I ’m storing nothing else on that intensity , even if it were obtain by someone else , they would also need the individual backup watchword for each machine using the bulk as a Time Machine destination to get to the data on them .
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