Sequoia 15.2 and Carbon copy cloner

I have done all. I was running OS14 and before I update my internal I always update my external clone first to test to be sure no other issues come up. I updated my OS 14 clone to OS 15+ by booting up my clone and then updated to 15+ OS. As I stated when making a clone with CCC do not use the Legacy boot feature (with Silicon) as I have found it does not always work and it will not boot correctly if at all. If you are using an Intel Mac then the CCC legacy boot feature works fine. I know nothing about using SuperDuper.

A certain level of caution, as noted from Mike @ CCC which would still apply to CCC 7.04

https://support.bombich.com/hc/en-us/articles/20686422131479-Creating-legacy-bootable-copies-of-macOS

The biggest Impediment for Cloner Software Developers, is the requirement for them to use " Apple Software Restore, aka "ASR") 

That is not to say it will not work but . . ?

With SuperDuper one can still backup up ("clone") all one's files:

SuperDuper says "use 'Backup - all files' with 'Smart Update' to copy everything but the OS'

In fact both CCC and SuperDuper recommend against making clones where the clone needs to be bootable. That is because such bootable clones do not have full functionality (according to CCC and SuperDuper).

CCC says this: "we do not recommend that you attempt to make your backups bootable; we recommend that you proceed with a 'Standard Backup' instead. You can restore all of your documents, compatible applications, and settings from a standard CCC backup without the extra effort involved in establishing and maintaining a bootable device."

I think that because of the security of the sealed system volume, increasingly with the last several MacOS it has become more challenging to create fully functional clones with the MacOS included in that clone. Both CCC and SuperDuper discuss this extensively on their web sites. The preferred way seems to be to do a clean install on the target drive for the Backup and then clone all non-MacOS files. That's what both of those companies recommend. Or, simply use the cloning software to copy everything EXCEPT the MacOS.

With the more recent Mac models, a complete hardware failure of the internal (boot) drive will prevent booting from an external drive.

The approach Apple has been steering users towards increasingly has been to use only Apple's installers for MacOS to create bootable systems. Both CCC and SuperDuper warn that even if you are able to create a bootable external drive via cloning, you will not be able to update its MacOS and continue using it. It will be stuck at that version (at least that is what CCC and SuperDuper advise).

Just an aside

Making a Bootable Clone on Apple Silicon machines will serve Zero purpose IF the internal Drive should Fail

The bootable clone will not save the day

Without the internal working the machine can not boot to the clone

I want an alternative to Time Machine, that will also copy my external drive I use with my new M4 mini. I'm using an 2 TB external for my music, photos and most of Logic projects, with the home folder staying on the internal drive.

I've always used Time Machine and Superduper, but with Superdupers current issues, I'm considering CC.

I looked at their website, but I don't understand the CC upgrades from one version to the next.

What happens with CC when a new Apple OS comes out, or an incremental update like 15.2? Do older CC versions usually stop working well Or do you need a new SuperDuper version each time Apple upgrades its OS? Is it just new CC features you'd be missing if you don't upgrade?

Kurt, I'm likely a strange outlier here in that (and likely do to some obsessive compulsive disorder) I frequently reformat my hard drive, often monthly. My concern isn't my files, back ups etc which are reliably stored in my iCloud Drive, google drive and of T7 drives. I'd like to make a clone of a fresh install with my trusted applications so I can quickly do a quick clean recovery and then simply use my files from the cloud as needed.

Incredibly, I have been doing whole disk reinstalls of my OS and reinstalling programs manually for years now. I realize I'm a silly person. Do you have a suggestion for this application? Thanks in advance.

I am a neo-luddite that still in this day and age makes bootable Sequoia backups with Carbon Copy Cloner.

Granted, my main Mac is still Mac mini 2018 Intel running Sequoia. Silicon Macs are more picky about this and might need a regular macOS install on top of data-only CCC backup. But after that AFAIK they should act the same when doing subsequent data-only backups to them:

I have occasionally booted to those backups and updated Sequoia (applying full Sequoia install on top of the old system would do the same).

Even if I could not somehow boot to them anymore, the data volume would still act as a backup (I rotate two such external backup disks).

That said, my main use for bootable clones is for testing various software by archiving bare bones clean macOS versions as "bootable" .dmg disk images that can be cloned to real bootable SSD volumes in just about 2 minutes. Much faster than the normal 30-45 minute macOS install.

In past history a bootable backup has once helped me to get fast back in action when the internal HDD broke. It was a breeze to boot to the external backup and clone that to the new internal HDD. With Silicon Macs that would not work because they use the internal disk also for the boot process for external disks. But new SSDs should be more robust than old HDDs. I do not care about the "SSD wear level" because AFAIK they outlast the Mac's usable years by a very great margin anyway.

I'll let you know in a bit if CCC 7.0.4 will successfully clone a Sequoia boot drive to an external SSD. I'm doing it now. So far it seems to be plugging along nicely on my M4 Mini. "Video at 11".

So far ok with CCC on my Mac's.

You're welcome.

It's 11 and no video! I tried both CCC and SuperDuper and both failed. 😞. Next I'll try an installer for Sequoia 15.2 directly on the external SSD and then try cloning the User data.

That my friend, is Great News and just in time for the Holidays

Santa came early to your computer lol

Thank you for the follow-up

ndalyte:

CCC's legacy works fine with Intel Macs but not with Silicon Macs.  The following is what Rob of Bombich Software told me as a way to clone my internal boot drive on a Silicon Mac to an external SSD:

1 - Boot into Recovery Mode

2 - Erase the external disk in Disk Utility

3 - Install macOS on the external disk

When the installation has completed, accept the offer to migrate data from your original source disk

It worked like a charm and I use it to run beta Sequoia updates.    For economy sake I use this configuration for my clones:

Its speed is limited to 500 Mbs which is fine for checking out compatibility of apps with the newer beta systems. You can get a SATA to USB 3 adaptor for older Macs.

I also use Carbon Copy Cloner to do backups. However, Time Machine is the only method to get a version backup, i.e. you can go back hour by hour or day by day to get a particular version of a file. CCC only gives you the latest version of all files. It's all in what you requirements are. I have a clone of my boot drive which I use CCC to keep it identical to my boot drive in case of some disaster like me screwing up.