Time Machine backups slow

[WebHead]

Anyone else experience this? I've been noticing it since the latest security update.

Doesn't happen every time, but my backups are so slow (like, no progress for hours) that I have to skip them.

 

[throAU]

Yes. Time machine is pretty much garbage. There's a lot of "edge cases" where it will either not work properly or lose your stuff.

I'd suggest using iCloud to store your stuff, and syncing it to the cloud. Or using something other than time machine.

(I'm waiting for mine to back up right now as I write this, I have not had a successful backup since august 23rd).

 

[WebHead]

Dang. Thanks for the feedback.

I've had intermittent issues over the years but have persevered because Apple is supposed to "just work".

 

[throAU]

Same. But in time machine's case... it "just works" as in "barely".


I've been using it for 9 years and I'm pretty annoyed.

You can speed it up (somewhat) with a terminal command:

sudo sysctl debug.lowpri_throttle_enabled=0

This will also make other background tasks use more CPU to go faster (photo analysis, etc.) at the cost of. more CPU heat, etc.

you can set it back to normal with

sudo sysctl debug.lowpri_throttle_enabled=1

 

[brianmowrey]

In addition to turning Time Machine off, I would take all the volumes/drives in for a First Aid physical in Disk Utility.