Datto RMM: Time Machine Monitor Reports “Time Machine Has Not Yet Performed a Backup on This Machine” On macOS 10.14 Devices

Issue

When you attempt to deploy and view a device running macOS 10.14 on the Time Machine Monitor, it reports the error, "Time Machine has not yet performed a backup on this machine."

Environment

• Datto RMM
• macOS 10.14 Mojave

Cause

Mac devices running macOS 10.14 Mojave are not able to make use of the Time Machine Monitor [MAC] component without first making security changes to the endpoint.

You can also identify the issue by typing the following in Terminal:

Input:

tmutil latestbackup

Output:

The operation could not be completed because tmutil could not access private application data on the backup disk. Use the Privacy tab in the Security and Privacy preference pane to add Terminal to the list of applications which can access Application Data.

Resolution

Configure the Mac device so that tmutils (the command line utility used by this component) can access the needed data.

1. Open System Preferences, then click Security & Privacy.

Figure 1: System Preferences (click to enlarge)

2. Click the Privacy tab, then click the padlock to allow editing of these settings.

3. In the left pane, click Full Disk Access and add Terminal to the list of applications. (You may need to add the Datto RMM agent to this list as well.)

Figure 2: Privacy tab (click to enlarge)

Additional References

• Apple online discussion: Time Machine problem after upgrade to Mojave (external link)