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Run MacOS from an External Drive , Is it preferred to use Migration Assistant to copy all of my documents or copy and paste files ?

An 2019 iMac with internal Fusion Drive.

need to add an external ssd drive instead of the internal one.


Is it preferred to use Migration Assistant to copy all of my documents to the external drive or copy and paste files and download Apps again to the new external drive ?

thanks.

iMac 21.5″, macOS 14.0

Posted on Oct 26, 2023 7:00 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 26, 2023 9:50 AM

rony-z wrote:

Thanks.
forgot to add that I’m using iCloud Drive.
so maybe the documents can “Download” to the external without Migration Assistant …

Yes. Just sign into the same AppleID once you set up the new system. Enable Desktop & Document syncing if that is what you are doing, now.

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4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 26, 2023 9:50 AM in response to rony-z

rony-z wrote:

Thanks.
forgot to add that I’m using iCloud Drive.
so maybe the documents can “Download” to the external without Migration Assistant …

Yes. Just sign into the same AppleID once you set up the new system. Enable Desktop & Document syncing if that is what you are doing, now.

Run MacOS from an External Drive , Is it preferred to use Migration Assistant to copy all of my documents or copy and paste files ?

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