Where Are Time Machine Backups Stored?
Time Machine Backups.backupdb layout on backup disks plus local APFS snapshots and the tmutil commands that list them.
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Time Machine writes timestamped snapshots into a machine folder on the backup disk, historically under Backups.backupdb. APFS destinations use volume snapshots with the same idea and different plumbing.
Browse through the Time Machine starfield UI or tmutil, not Finder. Direct Finder copies from backup volumes skip metadata and extended attributes.
Where macOS stores this, by platform
/Volumes/[BackupDisk]/Backups.backupdb/[MacName]
Classic HFS+ layout; APFS destinations organize by snapshots instead. Exact layout may vary by macOS version and disk format. Use tmutil listbackups to enumerate yours.
Frequently asked questions
How do I list my Time Machine backups in Terminal?
Run tmutil listbackups for completed backups and the localsnapshot list verb for on disk APFS snapshots.
Can I delete one old backup to free space?
Yes with tmutil delete on that timestamp, or let thinning handle it. Deleting in Finder breaks the backup chain bookkeeping.
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