Time Machine backup problem

Support and Troubleshooting
1

Hi,

I recently set up my Umbrel node. It has been running for a few days without any issues.

I decided to move my Time Machine backups from my Asustor NAS to Umbrel. There used to be a dedicated app for this, but now it seems the recommended method is simply connecting via the Time Machine settings in macOS.

macOS connects to my Umbrel without any problem, but when I try to create the first backup, I immediately get a red exclamation mark in the Time Machine settings saying:

“The backup disk image could not be created.”

I have no idea why this is happening. I’m following every step exactly as described.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

1 Like
2

I’m getting this problem on 1.5.

3

I am also seeing this issue. I have tried a bunch of things but so far I have no resolution. I am absolutely able to access the server from a terminal on my mac and creat files in the mounted SMB share, but time machine complains about it.

4

There seems to be some compatibility issues between SMB and APFS.

1 Like
5

I ran into the same issue here.

Seems to be a problem with the rights of the folders structure timemachine likes to create or rename (and is not allowed to). I have that problem with Tahoe 26.6 on my Macbook.

With an older version of Umbrel (0.5.4) which is still in use on one of my older raspis it still works great with the app “Back This Mac Up”.

Therefore I think it´s a problem with Umbrel 1.5 Files. I also could not figure out how to change rights in general settings or single folders.

6

Anyone discovered any “fixes” or work arounds for this problem?

7

I’ve moved on. Installed OpenMediaVault, Tailscale (to ensure my back up works outside local network) and MiniO Community Edition (backing up via Arq 7) on my Pi 5.

8

Crazy that this hasn’t been patched since November. Guys, you’re selling “all in one” home servers for $600+ and nobody thinks Time Machine being broken for months is a big deal?

2 Likes
9

It’s not a compatibility issue between SMB and APFS. I run a Time Machine backup with three separate Macs to an SMB share on an Unraid server with zero issues. There is an issue with the folder structure/permissions on Umbrel that is causing this and no one has taken any time to even look at it to attempt to fix it.

1 Like
10

I see. Thanks for this.

11

I cannot believe the fact that this has been ignored for over a year since the removal of Back that Mac up

13

The 1.6.1 update seems to have fixed this issue. I am unable to update past 1.5 on my Umbrel Home, but on a new Umbrel Pro with 1.6.1 TM Backups seem to be working as expected.