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e-ferrari
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Cannot access time machine backups created with more recent version of MacOS

We are experiencing problems when trying to access time machine backups created with recent versions of MacOS.

In detail: a time machine backup created on a MacBook Pro with OS 26 can not be accessed from a MacBook Pro- 15. When we open the folders, we see small minus signs (or stop signs, if you like) on the folder symbols, and there is no content in the folders.


Thanks for any help.


Bernd

Posted on Oct 7, 2026 7:53 AM

1 reply

neuroanatomist
User level: Level 9 (72,871 points)

Oct 7, 2026 8:24 AM in response to e-ferrari

How are you trying to access the Time Machine backups? The issue you describe, seeing the 'prohibited' badge on folders, is what you see when browsing in Finder, where you do not have permission. Apple does not support accessing TM backups via Finder, doing so can result in the backups being corrupted and needing to be erased.


You can browse other Time Machine backup disks or backups from another Mac by holding down the Option (⌥) key while clicking the Time Machine icon in the menu bar (if necessary, turn that on in System Settings > Menu Bar).


Steps to Browse Other Backup Disks

  • Open the menu: Click the Time Machine icon in the macOS menu bar while holding down the Option (⌥) key.
  • Select the option: Choose "Browse Other Backup Disks" (or Browse Other Time Machine Disks). 
  • Choose your disk: A window will appear stating, "These disks contain Time Machine backups. Choose the disk you want to use with Time Machine." Select the backup disk you want to inspect.
  • Navigate and restore: Time Machine will open to display the backups stored on that drive. Manually navigate to the folder or file you need, then use the standard Time Machine timeline to restore files.
  • If needed, secondary click on the file/folder to be restored and use Restore To... to save that file to a location on the Mac from which you are browsing the backup.


More info: Use Time Machine on your Mac to back up to multiple disks – Apple Support



Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256371944