Why isn't "restore" an option on my Time Machine backup files? Only "Cancel" is clickable.

Question

Level 1

16 points

Why isn't "restore" an option on my Time Machine backup files? Only "Cancel" is clickable.

The files on my 2016 MacBook Pro 15" are backed up in Time Machine on an external drive. I can see and open individual files, but I can't "restore" the entire backup. The options are "Cancel" or "Restore", but restore is grayed out and is not clickable. What good is a backup if I can't restore from it?

I am running Mojave 10.14.6. I cannot upgrade this computer past that operating system or my Adobe Creative Suite applications won't work, so please don't suggest that I update. Not updating is intentional. I do install security updates on this computer.

I have another computer that I use for other purposes that I keep updated - I understand the benefits of updating.

Thank you!

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Jan 2, 2022 8:58 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Wengro

Level 2

158 points

Jan 2, 2022 11:33 PM in response to mbh54

To restore an entire backup from a Time Machine backup you would either use Migration Assistant, which is located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder, or you would boot into Recovery Mode and select "Restore from Time Machine Backup." The method you are using is to restore individual files, in which case David McKinlay's reply is correct - if you already have unaltered versions of the selected file(s) there is no need to replace them with versions from the backup.

Reply

Answer 2

PRP_53

Level 10

90,691 points

Jan 3, 2022 3:35 AM in response to mbh54

If one is attempting to Restore the Entire Internal Drive from the Time Machine Backup

A Time Machine Backup is very useful and can be used to >>>>>>> Revert to Previous Working macOS <<<<<<

Reply

Answer 3

Jan 2, 2022 10:45 PM in response to mbh54

The options are "Cancel" or "Restore", but restore is grayed out and is not clickable. What good is a backup if I can't restore from it?

Are you clicking on a file in Time Machine in your last backup? If so, you this indicates that your backup is the same as your computer and there isn't a need to restore a file that exists on the computer's drive. Verify that you still get this message erroneously by mounting your backup drive and going back into an earlier backups ("Enter Time Machine) then click on a file you know you no longer have.

Reply

Answer 4

mbh54 Author

Level 1

16 points

Jan 3, 2022 1:35 PM in response to Wengro

Thanks. I don't really need to restore anything right now - just checking to make sure it's all there and able to restore. I had a scare last week with my computer that has been resolved which is why I was checking on it.

Reply