Why is Timeshift Using So Much Storage?

You're right about the storage issue. The difference you're noticing is likely the actual size of the snapshot. If you're using copy-on-write, every access might trigger a write, counteracting the benefits. Make sure to check if your filesystem supports proper snapshots like btrfs, which handle storage more efficiently than ext partitions do.

It sounds like you're seeing the snapshot size eat into your available storage. If Timeshift is saving snapshots on the same drive as your OS, that's a big factor. It might be a good idea to store these snapshots on an external drive. That way, if your main drive fails, you won't lose access to your backups.

What Linux distro are you using? It makes a difference in how Timeshift works.

If you're worried about storage space, just delete the old snapshots you no longer need. I usually keep just two snapshots at a time to save space while still having some backups.

To manage your storage more effectively, check your Timeshift settings. You can review which backups you have and delete older snapshots that you don't need anymore. Also, it’s wise to adjust the schedule to limit how many snapshots you keep. Just make sure your new backups overwrite the old ones, or you might find it doubling your space usage!

I don't actually use Timeshift since I back up my important data manually on another machine. In case of failure, I'd just reinstall my OS. It's worth considering using something like Clonezilla for a more comprehensive backup solution instead of just relying on Timeshift.