Migrating a MacBook to its up-to-date replacement

[britechguy]

I just had Gemini generate step-by-step instructions for the prompt: [Give me step by step instructions for reformatting an SSD for use with Apple Time Machine as well as the instructions to use Time Machine to transfer an existing MacBook to a new replacement MacBook.]

I haven't done this in quite a while, and based upon my memory these instructions seem to be complete, but I thought I'd ask for a review of those instructions here in case something's missing that I don't remember and that Gemini didn't catch.

Input much appreciated.

 

[Markverhyden]

Unless Apple has changed things passwords, the database itself, will not be moved over. It's been that way for years. Other than that it looks pretty complete. Personally I'd just go from Mac to Mac if the original is in great condition. Also this method is predicated that the original version of macOS is supported on the new machine. So the beginning of the process should include upgrading the macOS first on the source to match the match the new one. Generally speaking compatibility between old machine and new macOS breaks away around 5 years or so. Again that the way it's always been and I don't think Apple would want to change that.

 

[britechguy]

Well, I'm supposed to see this client tomorrow, and I doubt he's replacing the existing MacBook because it's still supported. I suspect this is a "retire the old, migrate to the new" situation.

I don't have the cable style that is supposed to be used for Mac-to-Mac migration, and I don't have enough Mac business to justify any purchases for them, so I'm going with the Time Machine variation.

The instructions seemed to imply to me that I could do this without carrying over MacOS from the old to the new. Perhaps not. I, personally, avoid Fruitvale as much as is humanly possible, but I have the occasional client that's a Mac user. Even way back when I was able to move almost seamlessly between PC and Mac, I never liked Apple's way of doing things.

 

[Markverhyden]

Migrations have been doable for years over a LAN. But you have be cognizant of how much stuff there is. With current network standards it shouldn't be a huge problem unless they are complete disk hogs. Back in early 2k I can remember doing a iMac to iMac over wireless, 802.11a. Her old drive was packed, mostly music and pics. I started and left since it was going to take some 4-6 hours. Ended up being close to 8.

Been a while but last time I did a TM migration it included the OS. But the source was not a live Mac.

 

[britechguy]

Mark,

According to Gemini, in response to the prompt: [Can you use a Time Machine backup from a Mac running an earlier version of MacOS to migrate data, settings, etc., to a newer machine running a later version of MacOS?]
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Yes, you absolutely can. Apple designs macOS specifically to support migrating from older versions to newer ones. This is the primary way most people set up a new Mac.

When you move data from an older backup to a newer OS, the Migration Assistant handles the heavy lifting, ensuring that your files, user accounts, and settings are updated to be compatible with the new system architecture.
----

I prefer to do this via Time Machine just so I have a backup of the old machine before doing anything else. And from discussions with the client they've clearly never used Time Machine themselves at all. I doubt much data is involved and I have a 512GB NVme SSD that I can reformat to use as the temporary TM drive. After all is said and done I'll reformat it again to exFAT format.

 

[Markverhyden]

I have to apologize. A take on an old saying. For some reason Migration Assistant went in one eye and out the other. Yes Migration Assistant normally doesn't bring the OS. That's the image/restore from TM or an entire drive which is my preference. MA will bring over apps as well but last I used it didn't check for compatibility so may have circles with lines in the App folder. As I mentioned before passwords won't based on my last few times. You can manually move things over. Set the account password to the same it was before and you should be able to import them. Best of luck!

 

[Rigo]

Mark,

According to Gemini, in response to the prompt: [Can you use a Time Machine backup from a Mac running an earlier version of MacOS to migrate data, settings, etc., to a newer machine running a later version of MacOS?]
----
Yes, you absolutely can. Apple designs macOS specifically to support migrating from older versions to newer ones. This is the primary way most people set up a new Mac.

When you move data from an older backup to a newer OS, the Migration Assistant handles the heavy lifting, ensuring that your files, user accounts, and settings are updated to be compatible with the new system architecture.
----

I prefer to do this via Time Machine just so I have a backup of the old machine before doing anything else. And from discussions with the client they've clearly never used Time Machine themselves at all. I doubt much data is involved and I have a 512GB NVme SSD that I can reformat to use as the temporary TM drive. After all is said and done I'll reformat it again to exFAT format.

I'd suggest letting the Apple system prepare the drive, exFat is extremely slow and wasteful in drive space.

 

[britechguy]

I'd suggest letting the Apple system prepare the drive, exFat is extremely slow and wasteful in drive space.

It will be formatted in APFS format before I can even use it for Time Machine purposes. I intend to reformat it as exFAT after the TM use is done because when I need a drive that can be accessed by either Windows or MacOS, the exFAT format works for those purposes.