PSA: macOS Sequoia 15.2 Breaks SuperDuper Bootable Backups

[MacRumors]

Apple's latest macOS Sequoia 15.2 update has introduced a critical bug that prevents the popular backup utility SuperDuper from creating bootable backups, according to the app's chief developer, Shirt Pocket's Dave Nanian.

The issue stems from a "Resource Busy" error that occurs during the final stages of the backup process when attempting to copy system preboot or recovery files. While similar errors in the past could be resolved by keeping the system awake during backup, Ninian reports that this new bug appears to be more fundamental.

The problem originates from Apple's earlier decision to restrict third-party apps from directly copying the operating system, instead requiring them to use Apple's own replication tools. With these tools now malfunctioning in macOS 15.2, SuperDuper and potentially other backup utilities are unable to create complete bootable backups.

As a temporary workaround, SuperDuper users can still back up their applications, data, and settings using the app's "Backup - all files" option with "Smart Update" enabled. However, this method won't create a bootable backup that can be used for immediate system recovery.

Shirt Pocket has filed a bug report with Apple and is awaiting a resolution, but Nanian is keen to emphasize that since the issue lies within Apple's system components, third-party developers cannot implement their own fixes.

The timing of this bug is particularly concerning for users who rely on bootable backups as part of their data protection strategy, especially given the recent release of macOS 15.2 and the potential for other undiscovered issues. Have you been affected by the bug? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: PSA: macOS Sequoia 15.2 Breaks SuperDuper Bootable Backups

 

[t0rqx]

Apple Backup feature incoming. Time Machine capsules tba.

 

[alFR]

It's Dave Nanian, not Dave Ninian.

 

[Carlson-online]

So it's not a bug then, but a feature

 

[apples_arrogance]

Did they properly do the job and also break bootable Carbon Copy Cloner backups with macOS 15.2?

 

[JosephAW]

I did not know that this backup could be done, I have to check into it

 

[H2SO4]

Did they properly do the job and also break bootable Carbon Copy Cloner backups with macOS 15.2?

Maybe, but this says Bootable back ups. You can still back up and migrate in I'd assume?

 

[kingjames1970]

Spent ages yesterday reformatting my usual SSD and tinkering with Backup Pro (v3). Sigh, I hope this is ‘fixed’ soon as I use all the time for multiple backups.

 

[justperry]

I thought this wasn’t possible for years now, I used CCC for years but stopped using it after (I thought) it could not make bootable backups anymore.
I will definitely going to use it again, not a fan of Apples own solution, never been and probably never will.

 

[H2SO4]

I thought this wasn’t possible for years now, I used CCC for years but stopped using it after (I thought) it could not make bootable backups anymore.
I will definitely going to use it again, not a fan of Apples own solution, never been and probably never will.

I'm of the understanding that It can, you just have to jump through hoops to do so?

 

[timmyh]

It's Dave Nanian, not Dave Ninian.

Thanks, fixed.

 

[Scramash]

I just backed up with carbon copy cloner on 15.2 without any issues . Having said that I have not tried booting from it.

 

[DailySlow]

Apple's latest macOS Sequoia 15.2 update has introduced a critical bug that prevents the popular backup utility SuperDuper from creating bootable backups, according to the app's chief developer, Shirt Pocket's Dave Nanian.

The issue stems from a "Resource Busy" error that occurs during the final stages of the backup process when attempting to copy system preboot or recovery files. While similar errors in the past could be resolved by keeping the system awake during backup, Ninian reports that this new bug appears to be more fundamental.

The problem originates from Apple's earlier decision to restrict third-party apps from directly copying the operating system, instead requiring them to use Apple's own replication tools. With these tools now malfunctioning in macOS 15.2, SuperDuper and potentially other backup utilities are unable to create complete bootable backups.

As a temporary workaround, SuperDuper users can still back up their applications, data, and settings using the app's "Backup - all files" option with "Smart Update" enabled. However, this method won't create a bootable backup that can be used for immediate system recovery.

Shirt Pocket has filed a bug report with Apple and is awaiting a resolution, but Nanian is keen to emphasize that since the issue lies within Apple's system components, third-party developers cannot implement their own fixes.

The timing of this bug is particularly concerning for users who rely on bootable backups as part of their data protection strategy, especially given the recent release of macOS 15.2 and the potential for other undiscovered issues. Have you been affected by the bug? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: PSA: macOS Sequoia 15.2 Breaks SuperDuper Bootable Backups

I just checked and my CCC bootable? backup completed early this morning. Confirmed - backup run. We shall see so meanwhile will keep running that schedule and kick this can down the road into 2025. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[ifxf]

Apple is still on its path to make Macs into appliances where you can only download and use software that are purely apps like games and social media.

 

[Eriamjh1138@DAN]

I thought bootable backups have been busted since Catalina with CCC, but I haven’t tried it in years. Been booting OCLP on my 2013 iMac since Ventura, so it’s way more complicated anyway.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Thankfully, for the M1 forward, bootable really isn't necessary.

 

[Chungry]

Did they properly do the job and also break bootable Carbon Copy Cloner backups with macOS 15.2?

Betting so, but I use SuperDuper so I wasn't able to check. Good job Apple!

 

[Rychiar]

I still use super duper as I have for decades but I stopped making bootable backups. Mac OS drives are so small now I just use the internal for the system and keep everything else on the external

 

[Chungry]

I still use super duper as I have for decades but I stopped making bootable backups. Mac OS drives are so small now I just use the internal for the system and keep everything else on the external

I love how this is a situation of Apple's own design unwittingly. Be stingy with prices so folks go for smaller internal storage. Be sloppy with the OS so long-standing features are broken. This slow slide into mediocrity is killing me

 

[Kelly the Dude]

I did not know that this backup could be done, I have to check into it

I thought this wasn’t possible for years now, I used CCC for years but stopped using it after (I thought) it could not make bootable backups anymore.

I'm of the understanding that It can, you just have to jump through hoops to do so?

Here's my experience. I did nightly bootable backups for years, with the intention of being able to pick up where I left off in the event of a hard drive crash leaving my boot up disk unrecoverable.

I don't think I've been able to do a single bootable backup in the M-chip era. I've used SuperDuper and I've used CCC. I've emailed back and forth with David Nanian. (Who by the way, is super responsive in email and has helped me out a ton.)

I gave up. Apple just makes it impossible in the modern Mac era. My Drives just don't do it. If it works for you, great! But my advice after trying to solve this for years is to embrace non-bootable backups because they are far more reliable.

 

[Harry Haller]

Genmoji>backups.

 

[coolfactor]

I'm curious why this wasn't discovered/announced earlier during the developer and public beta releases? Or was it? Not that it affects me. I live dangerously, without backups.

 

[ErickPB]

Yes, I have had problems with SuperDuper since 15.2. The option of erase and then copy failed. Using smart backup took nearly 2 hours and I am not sure it copied all the system files.

 

[Ifti]

Never bothered with bootable.
I use TM backups to restore the odd deleted file etc.
I used to use CCC for a full image backup, but switched back to SuperDuper as its just more simple and straightforward to use, but I would just use these with migration assistant should I ever need a full recovery.

 

[collin_]

Is it just me, or do MacOS 15.2 and iOS 18.2 seem particularly problematic? I usually update right away, but I'm keeping everything on 15.1.1 and 18.1.1 for now.