Timeshift is one of the best programs you can use to automatically create backups for your Linux system. Unfortunately, these backups—or snapshots—are large files and can very easily fill up your hard drive within just a few months of enabling automatic backups.
Deleting old snapshots through Timeshift is an excellent way to keep your hard drive spacious while still protecting your data.
How to Delete Timeshift Snapshots
If you’re researching how to delete Timeshift snapshots, you’ve probably noticed that it isn’t possible to delete them through your file manager. This is because you lack the necessary root permissions to delete them when running a file manager like Files or Thunar.
Luckily, it’s possible to get rid of pesky old Timeshift snapshots through the command line or Timeshift itself.
Deleting the snapshots with a command is the simplest method. You may need to use this method if your snapshots aren’t appearing in the app. After opening the terminal with Ctrl + Alt + T, you can delete all snapshots with:
sudo rm -rf /home/USERNAME/timeshift
Deleting Timeshift snapshots through the application itself is equally simple. First, you'll need to open the application and select all the snapshots you would like to delete from the list that appears. Once they’re selected, click the Delete button found on the toolbar to erase them.
If you delete all of your system snapshots, use Timeshift to create a new one as soon as possible. You’ll need it if anything happens to your system.
Adjust Your Snapshot Storage Settings
While Timeshift’s snapshotting frequency might be appropriate for enterprise systems, it isn’t necessary for most home PCs. You can save storage space by adjusting how often your system is backed up.
Open Timeshift and click through Settings > Schedule to access your backup frequency settings. Next, change the backup settings to your desired configuration.
If you’re worried about storage space or fear losing your system snapshots in the event of a catastrophic system failure, consider configuring Timeshift to save snapshots to an external drive instead.
Manage Your Timeshift Snapshots Effectively
Timeshift is an incredibly powerful application, but if not used properly, it can also be a bit of a nuisance. Deleting outdated snapshots and adjusting your snapshotting settings is a great way to make the best of the application.
If you ever need to reverse a bad configuration, you’ll thank yourself for managing your system backups effectively.