Mac users are done on Time Machine underwent an approximate transition a few years ago when Apple has moved from its long -term HFS + format to code hard drives and SSDs towards modern, more capable and more robust APFS format. During this change, many users had problems determining the formats in which external training and destination volumes of the time machine had to be permission.
It is in the past, and we are in an APFS world now, with a time machine, the machine to support the volumes formatted in HFS + or APFS. But you can always be bitten by an old reader who works very well with your Mac and has for years, but which is based on a Windows oriented format: Exfat or NTFS. Apple has supported these formats (and still) to allow compatibility between MacOS and Windows. Or, you can buy a reader today that is formatted by default for Windows, probably in Exfat, and do not think of reformatting it before putting it in use with your Mac.
When you go to System settings > General > Tap machine and click OptionsYou will see that all the exfat and NTFS volumes appear in the Exclude backups List with all the elements you have added manually and all the volumes of the machine at all time mounted on your Mac. However, unlike the elements you have added, when you select the external volume, note that the delete button (a sign less at the bottom of the list) is grayed out and cannot be clicked. (It is difficult to see in the screenshot that it is a lighter gray than the add / sign button more.)
The solution is to save the external volume, to reformat it as APFS and to restore its content. Then you can use Time Machine for routine archiving. If you are not using Time Machine, here are all the details on how to start with the integrated backup system for MacOS. And check our choices for the best hard drive for your Mac.
This Mac 911 article is in response to a question submitted by igamesnews Reader Sally.
Ask Mac 911
We have compiled a list of questions that were most often asked, as well as answers and links to columns: read our Super FAQ to see if your question is covered. Otherwise, we are always looking for new problems to solve! Send an e-mail to [email protected], including screenshots if necessary and if you want your full name to be used. Not all questions will be answered; We do not respond to emails and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.
