I would like to backup my iMac contents so I can wipe the drive clean and reinstall the OS. I do not want to restore any of the files to that computer. I don't want to take the time to figure out the individual files I want to save. I would like to have those files backed up available to restore on an individual basis to my MB Pro. I've seen a dozen and one ways to do this. Any recommendations on the best way to accomplish my exact requirements with all of the options currently available with Apple and the 3rd party market? Many thanks.
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Best method to backup iMac data for use on MB Pro
- Thread starter automan98
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Is the iMac functioning correctly? If things are functioning correctly, I would personally create a bootable clone with Carbon Copy Cloner to a standalone hard drive you use exclusively for this purpose, and then manually extract the files you want through Finder to put on the MacBook Pro (and completing this successfully before wiping the iMac if these files are not backed up to another drive, such as a Time Machine disk or iCloud Drive--if they are, then no need to complete successfully before wiping). This way you can be certain you have every single file from the iMac before deleting it, and navigating to the individual files is a pretty straightforward process. If you can find them now, you can find them on a carbon clone. There is also the added benefit that you could also boot up from that clone drive, if you ever needed to for whatever reason.
Apple Robert gave the answer you need.
CarbonCopyCloner:
www.bombich.com
CCC is FREE to download (and use for 30 days).
Creating the backup will cost you nothing.
Once you have the backup done, it can be mounted in the finder and accessed like any other external drive.
But it's AN EXACT COPY of the iMac internal drive. You can even boot from it.
Now, you can wipe the iMac drive and do a "fresh re-install of the OS".
Best way to do this is by way of "internet recovery":
Command-OPTION-R at boot.
You'll need your wifi password if you're connecting via wifi.
The internet utilities take a while to load -- be patient.
When you get to the utilities, open disk utility.
If there's a "view" menu, choose "show ALL devices" (VERY IMPORTANT that you do this).
If there IS NOT a "view menu", just disregard and go to the next step.
On the left, select the top line that represents the physical drive.
Click on it and erase it.
For High Sierra and earlier, choose Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format.
For Mojave or later, choose APFS with GUID partition format.
When the erase is done, quit disk utility and open the OS installer.
Start clicking through and let the install progress.
The Mac may reboot one or more times and the screen may go dark for a few minutes, then continue.
When the OS install is done, you'll see the initial startup screen (choose your language).
Begin clicking through.
At the appropriate time, setup assistant will ask if you wish to migrate data from another drive. Connect the backup if you haven't already done so.
Aim setup assistant "at the backup" and give it a few minutes to "digest everything".
Now, you'll see a list of stuff to migrate over.
Choose what you want and "turn it loose".
When done, you should see the login screen as you did before.
FOR MOVING FILES TO THE MACBOOK PRO:
Again, you can mount a CCC cloned backup right in the finder, then copy files and folders as needed.
HOWEVER...
A step you should take to eliminate permissions problems:
a. Mount the backup in the finder
b. Click ONE TIME on the icon to select it
c. Bring up the "get info" box (command-i)
d. At the bottom of get info, click the lock and enter your password (the one you use for the MBP)
e. Put a checkmark in "ignore ownership on this volume" (sharing and permissions)
f. Now you can copy what you wish, and whatever you copy to the MacBook will "come under the ownership" of the account ON the MacBook...
CarbonCopyCloner:
Download CCC - Bombich Software
CCC is FREE to download (and use for 30 days).
Creating the backup will cost you nothing.
Once you have the backup done, it can be mounted in the finder and accessed like any other external drive.
But it's AN EXACT COPY of the iMac internal drive. You can even boot from it.
Now, you can wipe the iMac drive and do a "fresh re-install of the OS".
Best way to do this is by way of "internet recovery":
Command-OPTION-R at boot.
You'll need your wifi password if you're connecting via wifi.
The internet utilities take a while to load -- be patient.
When you get to the utilities, open disk utility.
If there's a "view" menu, choose "show ALL devices" (VERY IMPORTANT that you do this).
If there IS NOT a "view menu", just disregard and go to the next step.
On the left, select the top line that represents the physical drive.
Click on it and erase it.
For High Sierra and earlier, choose Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format.
For Mojave or later, choose APFS with GUID partition format.
When the erase is done, quit disk utility and open the OS installer.
Start clicking through and let the install progress.
The Mac may reboot one or more times and the screen may go dark for a few minutes, then continue.
When the OS install is done, you'll see the initial startup screen (choose your language).
Begin clicking through.
At the appropriate time, setup assistant will ask if you wish to migrate data from another drive. Connect the backup if you haven't already done so.
Aim setup assistant "at the backup" and give it a few minutes to "digest everything".
Now, you'll see a list of stuff to migrate over.
Choose what you want and "turn it loose".
When done, you should see the login screen as you did before.
FOR MOVING FILES TO THE MACBOOK PRO:
Again, you can mount a CCC cloned backup right in the finder, then copy files and folders as needed.
HOWEVER...
A step you should take to eliminate permissions problems:
a. Mount the backup in the finder
b. Click ONE TIME on the icon to select it
c. Bring up the "get info" box (command-i)
d. At the bottom of get info, click the lock and enter your password (the one you use for the MBP)
e. Put a checkmark in "ignore ownership on this volume" (sharing and permissions)
f. Now you can copy what you wish, and whatever you copy to the MacBook will "come under the ownership" of the account ON the MacBook...