Time Machine unable to perform backup to NAS with two HDs

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Time Machine unable to perform backup to NAS with two HDs

Have you had any experiences with using Time Machine backup to a Ubiquity Unas2 NAS?

I spent two days initially setting up the NAS, as I am not a network engineer, despite the fact that such devices typically require a level of expertise in networking. This process was comparatively simpler than configuring the Synology, which I ultimately sold to an engineer.

Subsequently, I have spent an additional two days attempting to enable Time Machine to perform a single backup to the NAS. MacOS reports "Waiting to complete first backup" - and I do not know what more to do, as I have restarted the nas, re-installed it, reboted the nas and my iMac (M1) running latest MacOS etc.

Around 150 GB of 450 has been moved to the nas yesterday, before the process stalled. On the nas itself, I can read today, that absolutely no data is exchanged.

Any suggestions are welcome.

iMac (M1, 2021)

Posted on Nov 16, 2025 5:48 AM

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Answer 1

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JohnnyDeLuxe Author

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Nov 17, 2025 12:37 AM in response to neuroanatomist

Thank you for sharing the insights on not using special characters.

I have followed all the steps in the prescriptions from Ubiqity for the Unas2.

I'm not sure what the "main brands" of today's technology landscape are. Still, the Unas 2 has a Time Machine procedure that appears to work and connect correctly. Still, it experiences some issues with the network connection that prevent the Unas from completing the TM backups.

First, the Unas2 was connected to the Wi-Fi router via an Ethernet cable, but this setup did not enable the Time Machine to complete the backups. After connecting the Unas2 directly to the incoming switch, the first TM backup is finally concluded.

Later today, a test will be conducted to ascertain whether TM can operate from computers connected via Wi-Fi to the Ubiquiti UDR7 Router 7, as this configuration is intended for backing up multiple MacOS computers here.

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Answer 2

Nov 16, 2025 7:51 AM in response to JohnnyDeLuxe

Did you follow the steps here?

https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/17299776030999-macOS-Time-Machine-Backups-on-UNAS

There is a known issue with backups failing if the computer/backup name has a special character. For example, My Backup would work but My Backüp would not.

Your NAS isn’t one of the two main brands known for turnkey TM setup (Synology and QNAP). I have used both (currently running a 2-bay Synology DS223j with 2 x 10 TB drives and TM is working fine with 5 Macs in the house).

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