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Moving files from old computer to new

My old 2011Mac will not update further than High Sierra. I have a brand new Mac coming in a few days. I need an easy step by step way to move the files and apps to my new computer. I have a 2TB Seagate external hd, but I'm not sure if this is the best way to do this. any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.



MacBook Pro 13", 10.13

Posted on Jul 13, 2019 7:37 PM

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2 replies

Jul 13, 2019 8:24 PM in response to Denisefromgadsden

Moving your files from a Time machine backup to a new computer will be easier because the adapters you need will be the ones you need for the long run. Copying computer-to-computer will be a one-off event, but needs the most complex adapters.)


If you are using another direct-to-disk backup method that you prefer, and you currently have a recent backup, that is great. If not, you should consider using Built-in Time Machine. Take steps to acquire an external drive as soon as possible. If you buy one, a drive 2 to 3 times or larger than your boot drive is preferable for long term trouble-free operation. Do not pay extra for a drive that is fast.  (You can get by for a while with a "found" smaller drive if necessary, but it will eventually become annoying).


Attach your external drive and use

System preferences > Time machine ...


... to turn on Time Machine and specify what drive to store your Backups on.  It may ask to initialize the new drive, and that is as expected.


Time Machine may spend all afternoon making your first full backup. You can continue to do your regular work while it does this. The first Full Backup is by far the biggest backup. After that, it will work quietly and automatically in the background, without interrupting your regular work, and only save the incremental changes.


Time Machine's "claim to fame" is that it is the backup that gets done, because it does not ruin performance of the rest of the computer while doing its backup operations. You do not have to set aside a "Special Time" when you only do backups. When you need it, your Time machine Backup is much more likely to be there.


How to use Time Machine to Backup or Restore your Mac:

Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support


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Moving files from old computer to new

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