The disk "Time Machine Backups" can't be unlocked. A problem was detected with the disk that prevents it from being unlocked.

I'm running Sequoia on a 2016 MacBook Pro. I've been using this backup disk for a couple years without problems.


If I run Disk Utility, it says, unsurprisingly, that it's not mounted. Also, it's APFS Volume • APFS (Case-sensitive, Encrypted).

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 15.3

Posted on Mar 23, 2025 7:03 AM

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Mar 24, 2025 1:14 AM in response to JimV315

Giving any benefits of any doubts to the user .


This must be a typographical error  “ I’m running Sequoia on a 2016 MacBook Pro


Is this the only issue the computer is experiencing ?


We ask because the best this 2016 MacBook Pro could operate would be macOS 12 Monterey 


macOS Monterey is compatible with these computers

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Mar 23, 2025 8:52 AM in response to JimV315

Generally means the drive is dying.


Boot into Restore mode,CMD+r keys...


Look at top of screen for Utilities menu...

In Disk Utility>View, select Show all Devices, highlight the top left entry.


Run Disk First Aid on all items in the left panel, from top down.


You can use Drive DX to possibly get a better view of Drive health…

https://binaryfruit.com/drivedx

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Mar 23, 2025 5:13 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks, Disk First Aid couldn't access the disk either. Fortunately, the only data on the disk is my backups and I don't need them at this time. Unsurprisingly, I can't erase the disk either - which I'd like to do before I discard and replace it.

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Mar 24, 2025 4:07 PM in response to BDAqua

Maybe my approach is wrong, but I didn't try the 3rd party app. There's a tendency add more and more overlapping, possibly conflicting, 3rd party programs every time something unexpected comes up. And if the solution is to replace the drive rather than do due diligence on another add-on program, I'd rather do that. Especially since I don't need any of the backups on that disk.


I'd be interested in another comment on this approach.

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Mar 24, 2025 9:04 PM in response to JimV315

Hurrah, I think I broke mine somehow, & the cure seemed to be using ONYX to clear not only the caches, but the , dang it I’m on the IPad right not on & can’t remember the other called it Application Support or something… installing linux on the Mac right now, but the strange part was it had messed up Spotlight. On several volumes, but the ONYX cure seemed to allow the rebuild to go through, get th version of ONYX for your OS.


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The disk "Time Machine Backups" can't be unlocked. A problem was detected with the disk that prevents it from being unlocked.

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