{
  "schema": "https://storagestudio.us/schema/wiki-page.v1",
  "title": "A backup didn't run",
  "slug": "a-backup-didnt-run",
  "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/a-backup-didnt-run",
  "markdown_url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/a-backup-didnt-run.md",
  "category": "Troubleshooting",
  "category_url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/troubleshooting/",
  "tags": [
    "troubleshooting",
    "backups"
  ],
  "summary": "When a backup set didn't run, its card in Data Backup says why — usually a condition you set, such as only on power or outside working hours, a destination that isn't connected, or a passphrase it needs. Back up now always starts one straight away.",
  "published_at": "2026-10-01T05:53:09.000Z",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-01T05:41:27.000Z",
  "headings": [
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "What you might see on the card",
      "id": "what-you-might-see-on-the-card"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "Likely causes",
      "id": "likely-causes"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "How to fix it",
      "id": "how-to-fix-it"
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "text": "Good to know",
      "id": "good-to-know"
    }
  ],
  "links_out": [
    {
      "slug": "data-backup",
      "label": "Data Backup",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/data-backup"
    },
    {
      "slug": "backup-schedules",
      "label": "Backup schedules and triggers",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/backup-schedules"
    },
    {
      "slug": "backup-messages",
      "label": "What backup messages mean",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/backup-messages"
    },
    {
      "slug": "the-backup-passphrase",
      "label": "The backup passphrase",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/the-backup-passphrase"
    },
    {
      "slug": "backup-speed-and-power",
      "label": "Backup speed, battery and the network",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/backup-speed-and-power"
    },
    {
      "slug": "troubleshooting-start-here",
      "label": "Something's not working: start here",
      "exists": true,
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/troubleshooting-start-here"
    }
  ],
  "links_in": [
    {
      "slug": "backup-schedules",
      "title": "Backup schedules and triggers",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/backup-schedules"
    },
    {
      "slug": "troubleshooting-start-here",
      "title": "Something's not working: start here",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/troubleshooting-start-here"
    },
    {
      "slug": "drive-unplugged-during-a-move",
      "title": "The drive was unplugged during a move",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/drive-unplugged-during-a-move"
    },
    {
      "slug": "backup-messages",
      "title": "What backup messages mean",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/backup-messages"
    },
    {
      "slug": "when-an-account-needs-signing-in-again",
      "title": "When an account needs signing in again",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/wiki/when-an-account-needs-signing-in-again"
    }
  ],
  "diagrams": [
    {
      "kind": "flowchart",
      "caption": "Why a backup set might not have run",
      "outline": "- Backup didn't run\n  - leads to Open Data Backup and read the set's card\n- Open Data Backup and read the set's card\n  - leads to What does it say?\n- What does it say?\n  - Waiting for power, Wi-Fi or hours: leads to Wait, or change Only when\n  - Passphrase: leads to Set or re-enter the passphrase\n  - Couldn't reach the destination: leads to Connect the drive or check the network\n  - Not backed up: leads to Check its folders and trigger\n- Wait, or change Only when\n  - leads to Click Back up now to run it straight away\n- Set or re-enter the passphrase\n  - leads to Click Back up now to run it straight away\n- Connect the drive or check the network\n  - leads to Click Back up now to run it straight away\n- Check its folders and trigger\n  - leads to Click Back up now to run it straight away\n",
      "source": "%% caption: Why a backup set might not have run\nflowchart TD\n  A[Backup didn't run] --> B[Open Data Backup and read the set's card]\n  B --> C{What does it say?}\n  C -->|Waiting for power, Wi-Fi or hours| D[Wait, or change Only when]\n  C -->|Passphrase| E[Set or re-enter the passphrase]\n  C -->|Couldn't reach the destination| F[Connect the drive or check the network]\n  C -->|Not backed up| G[Check its folders and trigger]\n  D --> H[Click Back up now to run it straight away]\n  E --> H\n  F --> H\n  G --> H"
    }
  ],
  "images": [],
  "screenshots_pending": [
    {
      "alt": "The Data Backup window with one backup set card showing the Paused status and a \"Waiting for power — you asked for backups to run only when plugged in.\" sentence under it",
      "caption": "A backup set waiting for power"
    }
  ],
  "faqs": [
    {
      "question": "Can I move my iPhone backups to an external drive on a Mac?",
      "answer": "Yes. Finder has no setting for where it keeps iPhone and iPad backups, but Storage Studio can move them to your external drive from What's Using Space: it copies them, checks every file arrived, and only then frees the space on your Mac. Finder keeps backing up to the drive afterwards, so keep…",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/faq"
    },
    {
      "question": "What is purgeable space on a Mac and how do I clear it?",
      "answer": "Purgeable space is storage macOS is holding — old snapshots, cached cloud files, optimised media — that it frees automatically when you need room, which is why \"free\" space can look smaller than expected. Storage Studio reclaims a lot of it on demand instead of making you wait.",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/faq"
    },
    {
      "question": "How do I reclaim space from local Time Machine snapshots on a Mac?",
      "answer": "macOS keeps point-in-time APFS local snapshots so Time Machine can restore even when your backup drive is away — useful, but they can hold a lot of space. Storage Studio lists every snapshot, shows which are already safely backed up, and reclaims the space you choose in one click.",
      "url": "https://storagestudio.us/faq"
    }
  ],
  "text": "When a backup didn't run, the set's card in Data Backup says why in a sentence. Most often it's waiting on purpose — for power, for Wi-Fi, for your working hours to end, or for the destination drive to be connected — or it needs a passphrase from you. Back up now starts a backup straight away whatever the conditions, so it's also the quickest test. What you might see on the card Status or message What it means Waiting for power — you asked for backups to run only when plugged in. Plug your Mac in, or change the condition. Waiting for Wi-Fi — you asked for backups to stay off hotspots. You're on a personal hotspot. It runs once you're back on Wi-Fi. Waiting until … — you asked for backups to stay out of these hours. It's inside the hours you set aside. Paused while your Mac is busy — … It picks up where it left off on its own. Storage Studio stepped aside while you needed the Mac. Waiting for a faster connection — the upload to … is running at about …, which is too slow to finish a backup. Automatic cloud backups wait for a better connection. Back up now still works. Set a backup passphrase for “…” before its first cloud backup. Click Set passphrase… . That backup passphrase didn't match. Click Re-enter passphrase… . Automatic runs stop trying until you do. Couldn't reach the backup destination … Connect the drive or check your network. The drive isn't connected, or the network is down. The last backup didn't finish — Storage Studio closed while it was running. It picks up where it left off; use Back up now when you're ready. Not backed up It hasn't run yet — check it has folders to back up and a trigger. Likely causes A condition you set is holding it — The Mac is plugged in , Not on a personal hotspot , or Stay out of my working hours . The trigger is Only when I ask — \"Nothing happens until you press Back up now.\" The destination isn't there. For an automatic run, an unreachable drive doesn't turn the card red; it waits quietly and tries again once the drive is back. A passphrase is missing or wrong. The Mac was asleep or Storage Studio wasn't running at the scheduled time. Why a backup set might not have run Flowchart outline: Why a backup set might not have run Backup didn't run leads to Open Data Backup and read the set's card Open Data Backup and read the set's card leads to What does it say? What does it say? Waiting for power, Wi-Fi or hours: leads to Wait, or change Only when Passphrase: leads to Set or re-enter the passphrase Couldn't reach the destination: leads to Connect the drive or check the network Not backed up: leads to Check its folders and trigger Wait, or change Only when leads to Click Back up now to run it straight away Set or re-enter the passphrase leads to Click Back up now to run it straight away Connect the drive or check the network leads to Click Back up now to run it straight away Check its folders and trigger leads to Click Back up now to run it straight away How to fix it Open Data Backup (Versioned)… from the More menu and find the set. Read the sentence on its card and act on it — plug in, connect the drive, or enter the passphrase. Click Change… to review When to back up and its Only when conditions if they no longer suit you. Click Back up now to run it straight away. A manual backup ignores the power, hotspot and working-hours conditions. Good to know Missed times don't pile up. If your Mac was asleep at one or more scheduled times, they're combined into a single backup when it can next run, rather than several back to back. Battery. While a backup runs, Storage Studio keeps the Mac awake if it's plugged in or the battery is above 30%. Below that, it lets the Mac sleep and the backup carries on later from where it stopped. With the lid closed on battery, macOS sleeps regardless. See also: Data Backup · Backup schedules and triggers · What backup messages mean · The backup passphrase · Backup speed, battery and the network · Something's not working: start here Common questions Can I move my iPhone backups to an external drive on a Mac? Yes. Finder has no setting for where it keeps iPhone and iPad backups, but Storage Studio can move them to your external drive from What's Using Space: it copies them, checks every file arrived, and only then frees the space on your Mac. Finder keeps backing up to the drive afterwards, so keep… What is purgeable space on a Mac and how do I clear it? Purgeable space is storage macOS is holding — old snapshots, cached cloud files, optimised media — that it frees automatically when you need room, which is why \"free\" space can look smaller than expected. Storage Studio reclaims a lot of it on demand instead of making you wait. How do I reclaim space from local Time Machine snapshots on a Mac? macOS keeps point-in-time APFS local snapshots so Time Machine can restore even when your backup drive is away — useful, but they can hold a lot of space. Storage Studio lists every snapshot, shows which are already safely backed up, and reclaims the space you choose in one click.",
  "markdown": "When a backup didn't run, the set's card in **Data Backup** says why in a sentence. Most often it's waiting on purpose — for power, for Wi-Fi, for your working hours to end, or for the destination drive to be connected — or it needs a passphrase from you. **Back up now** starts a backup straight away whatever the conditions, so it's also the quickest test.\n\n## What you might see on the card\n\n| Status or message | What it means |\n| --- | --- |\n| Waiting for power — you asked for backups to run only when plugged in. | Plug your Mac in, or change the condition. |\n| Waiting for Wi-Fi — you asked for backups to stay off hotspots. | You're on a personal hotspot. It runs once you're back on Wi-Fi. |\n| Waiting until … — you asked for backups to stay out of these hours. | It's inside the hours you set aside. |\n| Paused while your Mac is busy — … It picks up where it left off on its own. | Storage Studio stepped aside while you needed the Mac. |\n| Waiting for a faster connection — the upload to … is running at about …, which is too slow to finish a backup. | Automatic cloud backups wait for a better connection. **Back up now** still works. |\n| Set a backup passphrase for “…” before its first cloud backup. | Click **Set passphrase…**. |\n| That backup passphrase didn't match. | Click **Re-enter passphrase…**. Automatic runs stop trying until you do. |\n| Couldn't reach the backup destination … Connect the drive or check your network. | The drive isn't connected, or the network is down. |\n| The last backup didn't finish — Storage Studio closed while it was running. | It picks up where it left off; use **Back up now** when you're ready. |\n| Not backed up | It hasn't run yet — check it has folders to back up and a trigger. |\n\n## Likely causes\n\n- **A condition you set is holding it** — **The Mac is plugged in**, **Not on a personal hotspot**, or **Stay out of my working hours**.\n- **The trigger is Only when I ask** — \"Nothing happens until you press Back up now.\"\n- **The destination isn't there.** For an automatic run, an unreachable drive doesn't turn the card red; it waits quietly and tries again once the drive is back.\n- **A passphrase is missing or wrong.**\n- **The Mac was asleep or Storage Studio wasn't running** at the scheduled time.\n\n```mermaid\n%% caption: Why a backup set might not have run\nflowchart TD\n  A[Backup didn't run] --> B[Open Data Backup and read the set's card]\n  B --> C{What does it say?}\n  C -->|Waiting for power, Wi-Fi or hours| D[Wait, or change Only when]\n  C -->|Passphrase| E[Set or re-enter the passphrase]\n  C -->|Couldn't reach the destination| F[Connect the drive or check the network]\n  C -->|Not backed up| G[Check its folders and trigger]\n  D --> H[Click Back up now to run it straight away]\n  E --> H\n  F --> H\n  G --> H\n```\n\n*Flowchart — Why a backup set might not have run. Outline:*\n\n- Backup didn't run\n  - leads to Open Data Backup and read the set's card\n- Open Data Backup and read the set's card\n  - leads to What does it say?\n- What does it say?\n  - Waiting for power, Wi-Fi or hours: leads to Wait, or change Only when\n  - Passphrase: leads to Set or re-enter the passphrase\n  - Couldn't reach the destination: leads to Connect the drive or check the network\n  - Not backed up: leads to Check its folders and trigger\n- Wait, or change Only when\n  - leads to Click Back up now to run it straight away\n- Set or re-enter the passphrase\n  - leads to Click Back up now to run it straight away\n- Connect the drive or check the network\n  - leads to Click Back up now to run it straight away\n- Check its folders and trigger\n  - leads to Click Back up now to run it straight away\n\n## How to fix it\n\n1. Open **Data Backup (Versioned)…** from the **More** menu and find the set.\n2. Read the sentence on its card and act on it — plug in, connect the drive, or enter the passphrase.\n3. Click **Change…** to review **When to back up** and its **Only when** conditions if they no longer suit you.\n4. Click **Back up now** to run it straight away. A manual backup ignores the power, hotspot and working-hours conditions.\n\n## Good to know\n\n- **Missed times don't pile up.** If your Mac was asleep at one or more scheduled times, they're combined into a single backup when it can next run, rather than several back to back.\n- **Battery.** While a backup runs, Storage Studio keeps the Mac awake if it's plugged in or the battery is above 30%. Below that, it lets the Mac sleep and the backup carries on later from where it stopped. With the lid closed on battery, macOS sleeps regardless.\n\nSee also: [Data Backup](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/data-backup) · [Backup schedules and triggers](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/backup-schedules) · [What backup messages mean](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/backup-messages) · [The backup passphrase](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/the-backup-passphrase) · [Backup speed, battery and the network](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/backup-speed-and-power) · [Something's not working: start here](https://storagestudio.us/wiki/troubleshooting-start-here)\n\n- **Can I move my iPhone backups to an external drive on a Mac?** Yes. Finder has no setting for where it keeps iPhone and iPad backups, but Storage Studio can move them to your external drive from What's Using Space: it copies them, checks every file arrived, and only then frees the space on your Mac. Finder keeps backing up to the drive afterwards, so keep… (https://storagestudio.us/faq)\n- **What is purgeable space on a Mac and how do I clear it?** Purgeable space is storage macOS is holding — old snapshots, cached cloud files, optimised media — that it frees automatically when you need room, which is why \"free\" space can look smaller than expected. Storage Studio reclaims a lot of it on demand instead of making you wait. (https://storagestudio.us/faq)\n- **How do I reclaim space from local Time Machine snapshots on a Mac?** macOS keeps point-in-time APFS local snapshots so Time Machine can restore even when your backup drive is away — useful, but they can hold a lot of space. Storage Studio lists every snapshot, shows which are already safely backed up, and reclaims the space you choose in one click. (https://storagestudio.us/faq)\n"
}