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Time Machine
- Thread starter drewaz
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In the time machine settings in system preferences, do you have the check marked for back up automatically?
yes ... I like automatic back up during the day when I'm using my computer ... but I'd like it to stop over night when the computer is sleeping. Knowing me I would be challenged if I had to remember to do a daily manual back up or to uncheck the 'back up automatically' box each evening. I'm guessing those are my only options though.
That's correct. Only options that I know of. I turn it off because using that checkmark also enables local snapshots, even if you're using an external HD and I don't want that on my laptop.
Is it making a lot of noise or something when it's asleep?
Is it making a lot of noise or something when it's asleep?
no noise but since nothing changes I'm not seeing a reason to access the TM SSD and I'm guessing that the computer needs to wake up to back up ..... I'd rather just let it rest all night like I do lol.
Did you try to uncheck "Enable PowerNap" in the System Preferences? This is from a MBP, IDK if there is an equivalent in your Mac Studio.
I have a Studio and my preference pane doesn't have 'enable power nap' as an option. I'm guessing it's only available on laptops?
thanks ... it is what it is I guess. It just seems senseless to TM to run when the computer is sleeping over night.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but after the first initial backup where TM backs up literally everything, doesn't TM only back up files which have changed or been added since the last back up? Therefore overnight backups are going to be little more than time-stamps because nothing has changed.
Check out TimeMachineEditor and see if any of it's options will work for you. Also note the FAQ says:
Will it back up while the machine is sleeping?
TimeMachineEditor supports Power Nap which you can enable in System Preferences > Energy Saver. If you are using a laptop computer, make sure you are on the “Power Adapter” tab, as this feature only works when connected to AC power. If you have an Apple Silicon machine, Power Nap is always enabled.
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Power Nap is only available on Intel Mac computers. The OP has a M1 Studio desktop computer.
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Are you concerned about SSD wear? When your Studio is asleep and TimeMachine runs, the computer will not fully wakeup, the display will stay off. The only indication that something is happening is the drive light will come on for a very short period of time.
I just looked at how my 27" Intel iMac, running 12.4, did TimeMachine backups. My iMac had Power Nap enabled. The computer had been asleep since May 25th. When I looked at the TimeMachine drive it showed that no backups had been performed between the 25th and the 27th.
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I know, that's why I included the "If you have an Apple Silicon machine, Power Nap is always enabled" from the FAQ.