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Best way to backup and restore from old Macbook Pro to new MBP

jonoaskew

jonoaskew

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 19, 2020
3
0
Hi all,

Long time stalker here, but need a little help.

The screen has gone on my MBP and it's going off as an insurance claim (water damage). They stated that once they had checked it over, if they deemed it non-repairable they would cover costs for a new MBP but they would not send me my current one back.

So, I need to back up all my data and then I want to restore it to my new MBP. I'd ideally like to copy everything from documents to applications and have it work the same as this one would.

My question is, what is the best method to do this given I won't have my old laptop if they decide to keep it.

I'm thinking to get an external hard drive and then use Time Machine to copy everything across. Would it then just be a case of using Time Machine on my new MBP to then copy everything on it? Would these include applications, log ins and data that I have on this Mac as well?

Is there a better process for this?

Would love to hear your opinions.

Cheers
Jonathan
 
If you want to move *everything* over (as opposed to starting out relatively clean on the new machine), then it's straightforward:
1. Get an external HD, plug it in, tell it you want to use it as a Time Machine backup, and wait for it to complete a backup.
2. When the new machine comes boot it up and in one of the early steps it will ask you if you want to migrate data. Plug in your Time Machine HD, and wait for it to copy everything over.
 
OP:

You didn't tell us WHICH "old" MBP you have, and whether the internal drive is removable or not.

If it IS removable (I'm thinking SATA 2.5" drive), the easiest way to do it is to take the old drive OUT OF the old MBP, put it into an external enclosure, use that to migrate your data to the new one. Then, you can keep on using the old drive, either as a backup for the new MBP, or for general storage.

If it is NOT removable, the easiest way is as madhatter suggested.
Get CCC, and create a bootable cloned backup on an external USB drive.
You can use this to migrate, and also to become a backup for the new one.

Here's my "canned posting" on how to migrate:
====================================
Fishrrman's "you can do it!" routine for migrating to a new Mac:

If you follow my instructions below, I guarantee a success rate of 98%:
PRINT OUT these instructions and check them off as you go along.

1. BEFORE you do anything else, run a "final" backup on your old Mac. Use an external drive for this. It can be either TM or a cloned backup using CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper. I prefer CCC.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT USE TM AS YOUR "MIGRATION EXTERNAL DRIVE". INSTEAD, USE EITHER CCC OR SD. Things will go better this way!
2. Shut down the old Mac and disconnect the external drive
3. Take the new Mac out of the box and set it up on the table. DO NOT PRESS THE POWER ON BUTTON until step 8 (read on). You don't want to begin setup until "the right moment".
4. If you're using an external display, connect the display using the usb-c/VGA adapter/cable that you have
5. Connect the keyboard and mouse if you use them. I STRONGLY SUGGEST that you connect them DIRECTLY to the Mac.
6. If you use a hub, leave it DISCONNECTED for now
7. Connect your backup drive -- use a usb-c adapter if needed.

OK, we're ready-to-go, so let's get goin':
8. Press the power on button for the first time.
9. The new Mac may ask for help "finding" the keyboard, just follow instructions.
10. Begin setup. At the appropriate moment, setup assistant will ask if you wish to migrate from another Mac or drive. YES, you want to do this.
11. "Aim" setup assistant at the external backup. Setup assistant will need a little time to "digest it all". BE PATIENT and give setup assistant the time it needs.
12. You will now see a list of things that can be migrated, such as applications, accounts, settings and data.
13. I suggest that you select ALL of them.
14. Let setup assistant "do its thing". It's going to TAKE A WHILE to move things over. Again, be patient. If you have a lot "of stuff", it will take a lot of time!
15. When done, you should see the login screen. Go ahead and login.
16. Once logged in, things should look pretty much as they looked on your old Mac.
17. You should check all your apps. Some may not run, and may require upgrading.
18. You can set aside the old backup, or ... "repurpose it" to become the backup for the new Mac. I'd keep the old one around for a week or so, at least.
 
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Thanks all. Downloaded CCC and ready to go. Apprecaite all the feedback, much appreciated.
 
A caution: Since we don't know what MacOS version your old computer is running it is possible your new computer will not allow you to boot from an old MacOS clone. Your new MBP will likely be formatted to the new APFS file system vice the old HFS+. If you're going to use a external hard drive, and it's large enough, consider partitioning it. Use CCC to clone to one partition and Time Machine for the other.
 
Thanks for that, should have added. It's a 2014 MBP and it's running Catalina.

That is a good idea and I may do that. I already have my documents folder which includes a lot of my work linked to my iCloud, so it's more for getting applications across as much as anything.

Both my current Mac and my external Hard Drive is formatted as APFS. Will this be compatible with the new MBP?
 
Only problem with time machine. It is an all or nothing proposition. If its a new machine or a clean install you may want to be choosier in how you bring thing over. For example you may not want all the apps from your old install brought over to you new setup. I had parallels installed on my old mac but did not want to bring it over to the new one for example. Time Machine backup is great for bringing back current install if there is some kind of a crash,
 
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When I installed Catalina on my 2013 MBP it “forced” an upgrade to APFS as part of the installation process. Most likely your “new” MBP is formatted in APFS. If not I would suggest doing that. So, if both old and new MBP’s are running Catalina, you will most likely be able to boot from an external that also has Catalina. No guarantee because I don’t know the role the “T2 Security Chip”, which your new MBP likely has, might play.
 
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