How to Disable Time Machine Local Snapshots on Mac

Running low on disk space? If your Time Machine local snapshots are taking up too much space, you’re not alone. These automatic backups on your Mac’s internal drive can consume significant storage—sometimes several gigabytes—especially on systems with limited capacity. While local snapshots provide a safety net for file recovery when your backup drive isn’t connected, managing Time Machine backups effectively often means disabling this feature to free up valuable disk space.

What Are Local Time Machine Snapshots?

Local Time Machine snapshots are automatic backups that macOS stores on your internal drive. They allow you to restore files even when your external backup drive isn’t connected. While this feature is useful, local snapshots can accumulate and consume valuable storage space.

macOS automatically manages these snapshots, deleting older ones when storage runs low. However, if you need immediate storage space or prefer manual control, you can disable local snapshots entirely.

When to Disable Local Snapshots

Consider disabling local snapshots if:

• Your Mac has limited internal storage
• You need to free up space immediately
• You consistently keep your backup drive connected
• You prefer to manage storage manually

Important consideration: Disabling local snapshots removes the ability to restore files when your backup drive is disconnected. Only disable this feature if you’re comfortable with this limitation.

Method 1: Using System Settings (Recommended)

This method is safer and more user-friendly. macOS automatically manages the process:

1. Open Time Machine Settings

   Click the Apple menu and select System Settings. In the sidebar, click General, then select Time Machine.

2. Adjust Backup Frequency

   Click Options. From the Backup Frequency dropdown, select Manually. Click Done.

   Note: In older macOS versions, toggle off Back Up Automatically instead.

3. Wait for Deletion

   macOS will automatically delete existing local snapshots within a few minutes, freeing up storage space.

Method 2: Using Terminal (Advanced)

If you prefer command-line control or need to automate the process, you can use Terminal:

1. Open Terminal

   Navigate to Applications → Utilities → Terminal.

2. Disable Local Snapshots

   Enter the following command and press Enter:

   sudo tmutil disablelocal

   You'll be prompted to enter your administrator password. The password won't be visible as you type.

This command disables local snapshot creation and deletes existing snapshots, immediately freeing up storage space.

Method Comparison

Not sure which method to use? Here’s a quick comparison:

I recommend the System Settings method for most users. It’s more reliable across macOS versions and doesn’t require command-line knowledge. Use Terminal only if you need instant results or want to automate the process.

Re-enabling Local Snapshots

If you later decide to re-enable local snapshots, you can do so using either method:

System Settings Method:

1. Open Time Machine settings
2. Click Options
3. Change Backup Frequency back to Automatic (or toggle Back Up Automatically on in older macOS versions)

Terminal Method:

sudo tmutil enablelocal

How Much Space Can You Recover?

The amount of storage you’ll recover depends entirely on how many local snapshots have accumulated on your specific system. This varies significantly based on your Mac’s storage capacity, how long Time Machine has been running, and your usage patterns.

After recovering space from local snapshots, you might also want to check for other storage hogs like duplicate files or use a duplicate file finder to identify additional space savings.

To check your current storage usage and see the impact:

1. Open System Settings → General → Storage
2. Before disabling snapshots, note your available space
3. After disabling, check again to see how much space was recovered

The actual space recovered will be unique to your system—there’s no typical amount, as it depends on your individual backup history.

Additional Storage Optimization Tips

Disabling local Time Machine backups is one part of a comprehensive storage management strategy. For maximum space recovery, combine this approach with other optimization techniques:

• Remove duplicate files using the best duplicate file finder for Mac to find and delete redundant files
• Empty Trash automatically by setting up automatic trash management
• Clean system caches and temporary files through comprehensive storage cleanup methods
• Review large files regularly and move or delete what you no longer need
• Optimize cloud storage by removing duplicates from cloud storage services

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my existing Time Machine backups on my external drive?

No. Disabling local snapshots only affects the backup copies stored on your Mac’s internal drive. Your complete backup history on your external Time Machine drive remains completely intact and accessible.

How long does it take for local snapshots to be deleted?

Using the System Settings method, macOS typically removes local snapshots within 2-5 minutes. With the Terminal command (tmutil disablelocal), deletion happens immediately. You can verify the space recovery by checking System Settings → General → Storage.

Can I delete specific snapshots instead of disabling all of them?

Yes, but it requires Terminal commands. You can list snapshots with tmutil listlocalsnapshots / and delete specific ones with tmutil deletelocalsnapshots [date]. However, for most users, disabling all local snapshots is simpler and more effective for recovering storage space.

Will local snapshots come back after I disable them?

Local snapshots will only return if you re-enable automatic Time Machine backups. As long as you keep the backup frequency set to “Manually” (or automatic backups turned off), new local snapshots won’t be created.

Is it safe to disable local Time Machine snapshots?

Yes, it’s completely safe. You’ll still have your full backup on your external Time Machine drive. The only trade-off is that you won’t be able to restore files through Time Machine when your backup drive isn’t connected. If you keep your backup drive connected regularly or don’t need constant access to Time Machine, disabling local snapshots is perfectly safe.

What’s the difference between local snapshots and Time Machine backups?

Local snapshots are temporary backup copies stored on your Mac’s internal drive. They’re designed to let you restore files when your external backup drive isn’t available. Time Machine backups are the complete, permanent backups stored on your external drive. Disabling local snapshots doesn’t affect your external backups at all.

Conclusion

Disabling local Time Machine backups is a straightforward way to free up storage space on Macs with limited internal drives. Whether you use System Settings or Terminal, the process takes just a few minutes and can recover significant disk space.

For the best results, combine this approach with regular storage maintenance, including duplicate file removal and comprehensive storage optimization. This ensures your Mac stays responsive and has adequate free space for system operations.

Remember: If you disable local snapshots, ensure your external backup drive is connected regularly so Time Machine can perform backups. Reliable backups are essential for data protection—learn more about setting up Time Machine properly.

Optimize Your Mac's Storage

Looking for more ways to free up space? Zero Duplicates helps you identify and remove duplicate files that consume unnecessary storage. It's a simple, effective way to reclaim disk space and keep your Mac organized.

For official information about Time Machine, visit Apple's Time Machine support page.

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