Browsing snapshots with Time Machine

[Kirkafur]

If I do not use Time Machine for backing up to an external drive, would I still be able to use the TM interface to browse files that are in local snapshots? Would it matter whether the snapshots were created by the system or CCC?

If I hit the TM interface within a directory and it has no backups visible, should I take that to mean that there are no snapshots with any data for it?

 

[appltech]

Hi! If i'm not mistaken, macOS doesn't create TM snapshots without a backup disk.
To start creating local snapshots, pick a backup disk and check the option to "backup automatically" :

This way the system prepares your next backup in advance and it takes less time. Time Machine snapshots will be stored on the mac untill your next backup and can be browsed via "System Preferences -> Time Machine -> Enter Time Machine".
If you don't use time machine at all (no backup disk is selected) - the snapshot will not be created and there will be nothing to browse.

 

[Kirkafur]

Thank you! I thought it was just part of how the file system behaved. Good to know.

 

[400]

Think you can view them in disk util.There is an option in the view menu.

 

[Kirkafur]

I see the source of my confusion. Even though I don’t use time machine anymore, I still had a backup disk selected.

And I did a double take at the notification that “400 replied to” this thread!