Restoring from Time Machine backup with Migration Assistant

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Restoring from Time Machine backup with Migration Assistant

My sister has an old iMac (2011 or 2012 I believe) that is no longer starting up. If we can’t get it working, she will be purchasing a used 2020 Mac Mini (M1). She has a Time Machine backup from her old computer on an external drive.

Will she be able to use Migration Assistant to restore from her Time Machine backup to the new computer. There is such a difference in the age of the old and new computer, that I don’t know whether it will allow a migration since the operating systems from the two computers are so far apart. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to use Migration Assistant, so I don’t remember all of the options and steps. But would she just want to use it to restore the user folder and “other files and folders” only? I’m assuming that “System and Network” and “Applications” should be avoided since they would be so different.

Posted on Feb 4, 2023 10:45 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

PRP_53

Level 10

91,807 points

Feb 5, 2023 1:35 AM in response to teacher24_70

One Size does not fit all circumstance .

If the new computer is going to be the Apple Silicon M1 / M2 Equipped Computer - would suggest Only Migrating the User Account and nothing more.

The steps to Migrate are in link below

Move content to a new Mac - Apple Support (CA)

Some have had success and others have been left with a mess when Migrating everything.

1 - Apple Silicon with Ventura macOS 13 Only Support everything 64 bit and there is no workaround.

2 - Issues that may exist on the older computer will be migrated to the New Computer. This would badly pollute the new Original and Pristine installation of the new OS.

3 - Applications, extensions and Software Drivers may or may not even work on the new computer.

4 - IMHO - it would be best to only install new application etc Directly from the Developer or the Apple Apps Store.

5 - Due Diligence on New Applications and make sure they are Ventura / Monterey / Big Sur compatible and factor in the ARMs CPU of the Apple Silicon Computer

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

210,615 points

Feb 5, 2023 3:24 PM in response to teacher24_70

One option to consider is to connect the old Mac to the new M1 via Target Disk Mode if possible. The old Mac's drive will appear as an external drive to the M1. Then copy the contents of the Documents, Pictures and Music folders to the same folders on the M1. If you have other files on the old Desktop or other folders copy them also at your discretion.