WD Released updated versions of the 1TB and 2TB My Passport for MAC. Stuck in “preparing backup” and “cleaning up old backups” modes. The other type of WD My Passport hard drive comes in a ‘for Mac’ version. This means your new My Passport is formatted to HFS+ (Hierarchical File System). HFS+ and Mac OS Extended (Journaled) file system are one and the same thing. Mac OS Extended (Journaled) file system is how it’s referred to on your Mac.

2020-03-06 18:13:15 • Filed to: macOS 10.14 • Proven solutions

A reliable and time-efficient backup application on Mac is fundamental to smooth-sailing user experience. But when the simplest and most reliable backup app on Mac, Time Machine, is stuck in preparing backup in macOS 10.14, a user might be hard-pressed to suspend making changes to files as they might not be able to backup those changes appropriately.

A number of checks have been encoded into the Time Machine to eliminate errors and delays in the backup process. However, these checks can stall the initiation of the backup process at a point in time. This article proffers solutions to fix time machine when it freezes on preparing backup.

Is it Normal for Time Machine Stuck in Preparing Backup in macOS 10.14?

When changes are made to files, the MacOS logs the changes in an inventory system which the OS creates as a component of the files system. Time machine operates with a comparison system which compares the file system’s inventory of file changes to its own file inventory, in order to form incremental backups. This operation, which is indicated by the 'preparing backup' message on the screen, is usually time-efficient and highly effective, except it is processing massive logs of file changes and newly added files. This operation is normally prolonged when it used the first time out, after which the user gets to enjoy speedy streaks of the operation.

Time Machine’s backup process can also be stalled by an antivirus which co-opts the Time Machine backup volume. To ensure that time machine doesn’t become stuck in preparing backup in macOS 10.14 due to antivirus interference, ensure that the operations of your antivirus does not affect the Time Machine backup volume. If that isn’t possible, as is the case for an antivirus which does not allow for the exclusion of disk volumes, you can go around the problem by excluding the “Backups.backupdb” folder on the Backup volume of the Time Machine.

Time Machine’s Backup process can also be stalled when Spotlight is indexing the Time Machine volume. The resolution to this problem is outlined in the section below.

What to Do When Time Machine Is Stuck on Preparing Backup in macOS 10.14

Upon waking the Mac, a user might be stunned to find an error message pop up stating that the Mac’s backup disk identity has been compromised by an unauthorized party. And on attempting to carry out a backup, the user may come across a prompt which states that the user is about to carry out a backup only for the first time.

These error messages are usually not quite informative to leave users with cues as per what to do when time machine is stuck on 'preparing backup' in macOS 10.14. Neither does the issue yield to general troubleshooting techniques like booting in Safe Mode or decluttering the hard disk. Sometimes, a user might not know how to tell a totally stuck time machine update apart from a slow one that’s caused by hefty file sizes on the logs.

Sometimes, a user might not know how to tell a totally stuck time machine update apart from a slow one that’s caused by hefty file sizes on the logs. But if the app is stuck on backup and not dragged by hefty file logs, the ‘backupd’ process is actually in abeyance and does not draw down the CPU usage, hence the app shows no signs of activities when viewed through the activity monitor. The following are the steps to resolving time machine stuck on preparing backup:

1. Confirm that The App is Actually Stuck and Not Slowed by Hefty File Logs

To check to see whether your Backup is actually stuck or not, Click the Dock icon or select 'System Preference' from the Apple menu to open the System Preference pane. In the 'System Area' of the System Preference Window, locate and click on the Time Machine icon to open the Time Machine Preference window. In there, you’ll find a message that states that the app is progressively preparing a number of items. If the number of items in this message keeps mounting, no matter how slowly, then the Time Machine backup process is functioning properly. But if the number remains unchanged for longer than half an hour, then the backup process has ground to a halt.

2. Ensure That The Stall isn’t Due to Antivirus Interference

To ensure that Time Machine doesn’t become stuck in preparing backup in macOS 10.14 due to antivirus interference, reconfigure the antivirus to exclude the 'Backups.backupbd' folder. If that isn’t possible, as is the case for an antivirus which does not allow for the exclusion of disk volumes, you can go around the problem by excluding the “Backups.backupdb” folder on the Backup volume of the Time Machine.

3. Annul Any Interference of Spotlight on the Backup Process

To fix time machine when stuck on preparing backup in macOS 10.14, you need to confirm that Spotlight isn’t carrying out an indexing of the Time Machine backup volume at that point in time. To disable Spotlight from indexing the Time Machine backup, Click the Dock icon on the Mac’s home screen or select 'System Preference' from the Apple menu. In the 'Personal' section of the System Preference window, locate and click on the 'Spotlight Preference' option. On the next page, click on the 'Privacy' button, and then drag-and-drop the Time Machine backup volume to the list of locations not covered by the indexing or use the (+) button to add backup folders to the indexed list that isn’t indexed.

4. Force-Quit The Currently Botched Backup Process

If the aforementioned steps do not fix time machine when stuck on 'preparing backup' in macOS 10.14, implement the steps outlined below. But before that, stop the botched backup process by opening the 'System Preference', and then clicking on 'Time Machine' in the settings page, and then clicking on the (X) button until the 'Preparing backup' message is cleared out.

5. Delete the '.inProgress' File

The 'inProgress' file is the Time Machine’s placeholder file which bears information about the files to be backed up. The backup process might freeze out due to a corrupted inProgress file. To clear out the inProgress file of the failing backup process, use Finder to open the Time Machine Drive, and locate the 'Backups.backupd' folder, and in this folder, open the folder which is named after the current folder wherein the backup stalled. Open this folder and search for the a file with '.inProgress' file extension.

6. Connect the Time Machine Drive and Reboot

Open the Apple menu and then select 'Restart'. After booting, allow Spotlight to run fully. This allows OS to re-index the connected Time Machine drive in case the backup process was stalled by an errorneous indexing of by the OS.

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Dec 09, 2019  If you are using Mac Excel 2016, Microsoft has removed almost all features from the VBA Editor. Microsoft rebuilt Office to use Apple’s latest frameworks, but ran out of time before the VBA Editor was finished. Until they fill the gap, you should either build your code in Mac Excel 2011. Below are the steps to create a new entry using the Data Entry Form in Excel: Select any cell in the Excel Table. Click on the Form icon in the Quick Access Toolbar. Enter the data in the form fields. Hit the Enter key (or click the New button) to enter the record in the table and get a blank form for next record. How to create data entry form for excel for mac 2016. Apr 09, 2016  This includes the newest version of Excel for mac which is v 15. I can't seem to locate the option to enter data by creating a data entry form. Previously you'd go to (menu) DATA and select FORM after selecting the appropriate cells. In the windows versions you have to add this to the ribbon. Button on your own menu or in Quick Access toolbar. Excel displays a dialog box customized to your data: Notes: To move between the text boxes, press Tab. You can't modify formulas using the data entry form - the formula result appears as text, not as an edit box: To add new row to your table.

As every MacOS user may know, Time Machine is the simplest tool to backup a Mac. In general, Time Machine creates backups automatically; they start and finish without your interference. However, in certain cases, this tool can get frozen or stuck. It is needless to mention that “Time Machine stuck on preparing backup” is an exceptionally annoying issue for any MacOS user. This Time Machine freezing issue can occur on MacOS versions such as Sierra, Yosemite and El Capitan and other versions. This error tends to appear at the preparing backup stage; if it takes too long, that can be the start of Time Machine freezing.

If Time Machine stuck on preparing backup, you shouldn’t feel helpless. The purpose of this article is to explain how to fix Time Machine not backing up issue.

Part 1: How Long Will Time Machine Preparing Backup Take?

The duration Time Machine takes to backup your Mac depends on a couple of aspects: the amount of disk space and the frequency of the backup. However, in general, Time Machine preparing backup doesn’t take that long. Due to following reasons, however, this process may take somewhat longer than usual.

• The capacity of your hard drive is exceptionally large.
• Your Mac hasn’t backed up for a long time (or you have never backed up it).
• You have done significant changes to the hard drive or added large number of new files since the last backup.

If none of the above is the case, Time Machine preparing backup shouldn’t take that long.

Part 2: Check Whether the Preparation Process is Stuck

By following the below-mentioned topics, you can easily see if the preparation of backup is stuck.

1. Go to System Preferences (you can either click on the Dock icon or go to “System Preferences” located in the Apple menu).
2. Now, you should open Time Machine preference pane. You can do this simply by clicking on the “System”.
3. Now, you will be able to see a message called “Scanning (#) items”, Preparing (#) items or “Preparing backup”. In fact, this message can vary depending on the OS X version you are using.
4. Gradually, the number of items will increase no matter even if the process operates pretty slowly. However, if the number of items within the message stay same for more than half an hour, that can be a Time Machine stuck on preparing backup. As long as the digits are changing, there is no issue with Time Machine.
5. If you can notice that the number of items is increasing, you shouldn’t do anything; just be patient and let the process go on. So, whenever you believe that the Time Machine stuck on preparing backup, it is recommended to wait for another 30 minutes and be sure about the issue.

Note: Obviously, the duration the Time Machine would take should vary based on facts like the amount of information stored, the overall size of the backup and the connection speed (between backup device and Mac).

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However, the time it takes to prepare your backup can take longer due to following reasons.

• An interruption occurred during the last Time Machine backup.
• You didn’t shutdown your Mac properly last time.
• You have disconnected a disk without ejecting it.
• A recently updated software.

In addition to that, some antivirus programs too can delay the backing up process. To avoid this, you can make sure that the backup folder is exempted from scanning with the virus guard.

Part 3: How to fix Time Machine Stuck on “Preparing Backup”

Now, let’s see how to fix Time Machine Stuck on “Preparing Backup” stage.

Phase 1: Stop the Frozen Backup Progress

1. To do this, you should open the “Time Machine” settings and go to System Preferences.
2. Then, you should click on the small ‘X’ mark and stop the ongoing process.
3. If the backup progress bar disappears and you don’t see “Preparing backup” option anymore, you can go to the next step.

Phase 2: Find and Remove the “inProgress” File

1. After getting the backup process stopped, you should remove ‘inProgess’ file.
2. To do this, you should open the Time Machine drive within the Finder. Then, go to the folder called “Backups.backupd”.
3. Open the subfolder within this folder and put it into “List View” mode.
4. You can sort the directory by “Date Modified”. Now, locate the file that has .inProgress extension. The file name starts with digits that represent a date in the format of YYYY-MM-DD. You can simply delete it.

Phase 3: Restart Your Mac

1. Now, you should restart the Mac. Make sure the Time Machine drive is connected to your Mac. This is a pretty simple process.
2. Click on the Apple menu and select “Restart”.
3. The Mac will boot now and wait for the Spotlight to run.

Phrase 4: Initiate a Backup

1. Go to the Time Machine icon and select “Back Up Now” option.
2. Now, you will get the “Preparing Backup” message, which will disappear soon.

Related Tips You May Concern

1. If all of the above options fail, you should contact Apple Support or contact an authorized person.

2. In the event of a stuck iPhone, you should try the tool called iMyFone iOS System Recovery tool and overcome it.

Main Features of iMyFone iOS System Recovery

• It is compatible with all the iOS versions like iOS 12/11/10/9/8 and devices including the latest versions
• It can fix many iOS-related issues at home
• It can fix iOS issues without experiencing data loss
• It is a really user-friendly software

iMyFone iOS System Recovery is already trusted by many MacOS users across the globe.

If Time Machine stuck on preparing backup, you know what to do now. We thoroughly believe that you can overcome the iOS related issues and enjoy the stability of Mac OS. We really appreciate if you can leave us a comment about your overall experience with the methods we mentioned in this article.