Can FFS make usable Time Machine clones under Monterey?

[constantin1951]

I just joined this forum because I would like to make a clone of a Time Machine backup disk. I am backing up to two SSDs, but two disks can fail simultaneously (it has happened to me). I would like to have a third disk that I can store offsite just in case. But I know of no way to do so on a 2021 MacBookPro 18,2 Apple M1 Max running OS Monterey 12.2.1.

Four lengthy conversations with senior Apple tech support in the department responsible for Time Capsule/Time Machine led to the conclusion that it cannot be done with Terminal, Disk Utility, or any other Apple software. The last adviser said they would bring this to the attention of their engineers and suggested I try third-party software.

I know FFS has been updated to work with Monterey. But does anyone know if it can make usable clones of Time Machine disks? I don't mean clones that can be accessed via the Finder. I mean clones that will work like original Time Machine backups, so I could look at the backups of a file buried deep in the file hierarchy and go directly from one version to another without having to go back up to root level. Comparing files in the Finder would require constant going up and down the file hierarchy for every backed up version I want to see. Too time-consuming.

I'd be grateful for any information.

[xCSxXenon]

You can use multiple disks for Time Machine, would that not work for you?

[constantin1951]

Thanks, that strikes me as the only feasible alternative. I'm planning on doing just that, and on a weekly basis since snapshots saved at shorter intervals don't remain long on the disks anyway. I don't look forward to having to drive to storage every week, but it's doable.