macOS 15.2 Sequoia is experiencing multiple backup issues that affect not only Apple’s Time Machine but also third-party applications like SuperDuper and CarbonCopyCloner.
Initially, the issue was thought to be limited to bootable backups; however, it seems there may be a broader problem or multiple bugs impacting Mac backups.
SuperDuper’s Challenges
The developer of SuperDuper, Shirt Pocket, initially utilized its own methods for creating bootable backups of Mac volumes, until Apple restricted developers to its proprietary replicator functionality.
After encountering failures with SuperDuper bootable backups, the team discovered that the bug resided within Apple’s replicator code in macOS 15.2.
macOS 15.2 was released recently, and it came with an unwelcome surprise: Apple broke the replicator.
As the Data volume replication nears completion, specifically when copying Preboot or Recovery, it fails with a Resource Busy error. Previously, users could circumvent this with settings to keep the system awake. However, this new bug means that on most systems, there’s no workaround; it just fails.
Since Apple has restricted third parties from copying the OS, they are solely responsible for ensuring this functionality works. Unfortunately, with macOS 15.2, they have fallen short. As this is their code, we cannot rely on it to copy the OS until they implement a fix.
Synology has also noted that the same problem is affecting bootable backups to their NAS devices.
Broader Backup Issues in macOS 15 Sequoia
CarbonCopyCloner users reported problems as well; while typically supporting bootable backups, many have experienced failures with non-bootable Time Machine backups too.
macOS 15.2 disrupts Time Machine backups. A friend of mine lost his entire backup history due to Time Machine.
Notably, these issues seem to be primarily affecting Apple Silicon Macs.
We have reached out to Apple for their input and will provide updates as we receive further information.
Via Daring Fireball. Photo by Samsung Memory on Unsplash.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
