Can't search for files on a Time Machine backup

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Can't search for files on a Time Machine backup

When I choose "Browse Time Machine Backups," the browser appears, and if I don't search, I can see the contents of the backup folder I selected. When I click on the spyglass and search for a file name, the list goes blank (even though I KNOW the file is there), or it shows the wrong files or two or three occurrences of the same file. Is there some way to fix this?

I would be happy to include screenshots, but they are disabled when browsing Time Machine backups.

MacBook Pro 16″

Posted on Nov 17, 2024 1:35 PM

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Answer 1

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dialabrain

Level 10

125,657 points

Nov 26, 2024 1:35 AM in response to Williamvv

Williamvv wrote:

I would be happy to include screenshots, but they are disabled when browsing Time Machine backups.

I don't think so…

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Answer 2

Nov 18, 2024 9:27 AM in response to Williamvv

Williamvv wrote:

When I choose "Browse Time Machine Backups," the browser appears, and if I don't search, I can see the contents of the backup folder I selected. When I click on the spyglass and search for a file name, the list goes blank (even though I KNOW the file is there), or it shows the wrong files or two or three occurrences of the same file. Is there some way to fix this?

I would be happy to include screenshots, but they are disabled when browsing Time Machine backups.

See if there is anything here—

restore items backed up with Time Machine

Restore items backed up with Time Machine on Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Williamvv Author

Level 1

20 points

Nov 26, 2024 3:20 AM in response to dialabrain

Thanks for letting me know so that I can take a screenshot. I was trying Command-Shift-4, which doesn't work, but Command-Shift-3 does. So here are two screenshots showing a list of files, with the first file containing the word "Rain." As soon as I type anything in the spyglass, all files disappear, even those that match the search term.

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Answer 4

Williamvv Author

Level 1

20 points

Nov 26, 2024 1:19 AM in response to leroydouglas

Nope. Still broken in macOS 15.1.1 and has been broken since at least 14.7. Easy to reproduce: Just start by clicking "Browse Time Machine Backups" form the pulldown menu. Then enter any text into the spyglass, and select "Name Contains..." and watch what happens when you try to move forward and backward in time.

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Answer 5

dialabrain

Level 10

125,657 points

Nov 26, 2024 3:27 AM in response to Williamvv

You're welcome. I see the same result but I don't know if it's a bug or some change Apple made. You can send feedback or file a bug report from: Feedback - macOS - Apple

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Answer 6

Williamvv Author

Level 1

20 points

Nov 26, 2024 5:50 AM in response to dialabrain

I reached level 2 phone support, and the technician agreed that the spyglass should work in Time Machine. He confirmed the bug, and I reported it to the feedback system. Thanks.

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Answer 7

dialabrain

Level 10

125,657 points

Nov 26, 2024 8:50 AM in response to Williamvv

You're welcome.

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