My Time Machine backup disk becomes inaccessible on my Mac mini (M1, macOS 12). I ran Disk Utility First Aid to check it, only to get the error: File system check exit code is 65. File system verify or repair failed. : (-69845). What does the error mean? How can I re-access my Time Machine backup drive?
The error—File system check exit code is 65. File system verify or repair failed. (-69845) indicates that First Aid failed to check and repair the file system of the Time Machine backup disk, which shows that the disk is corrupted.
To make the Time Machine backup disk usable and accessible again, you have to reformat it. Notably, I need to remind you that reformatting a disk will erase all data on it. You will lose your previous backups.
If you need these backups, you can use a data recovery tool like iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac to help you restore files from a corrupted or inaccessible drive first.
Here’s how:
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Download iBoysoft Data Recovery for Mac and install and launch it on your Mac.
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Ensure the Time Machine backup disk is connected to your Mac.
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Select the Time Machine backup disk on the app’s main interface and click Search for Lost Data.
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After the scanning process is complete, check the results and preview the files you want.
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Select your desired files and click Recover to save them to a different destination, like your Mac.
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As the error shows, First Aid can’t help repair the Time Machine disk. Your only choice is to reformat the drive.