You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Using a external boot drive on two devices.

I currently am booting my iMac from an external SSD that stores the OS, apps, docs, etc.

I won't have a lot of access to my iMac for the next few months, and will be using a macbook instead.

Is there a way that I can boot the macbook from the SSD and access all apps/docs/etc. and then when everything is done, return to using the SSD on the imac.


I'm also concerned about time machine for the imac. Would doing this mess that up?


Thank you in advance for any help!

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Feb 13, 2021 11:48 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 13, 2021 11:52 AM

If the OS version on the drive is compatible with both computers, you can just move it over. A small number of settings, such as the Energy Saver ones, won't carry over, and some commercial software may refuse to run.


(192300)

Similar questions

1 reply

Using a external boot drive on two devices.

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.