Can't boot 2017 MacBook from 10.12.5 iMac install

[EugW]

is this just a version issue? Both my iMac and my new 2017 MacBook are running 10.12.5. The iMac's boot drive is an external but that drive won't boot the MacBook.

Version on the iMac is 10.12.5 is something like 16F73 whereas the MacBook's is 16F2073 or something like that. Is it correct to assume that the build number for the iMac's install is an older version, not compatible with the MacBook? My understanding is that all current Mac should run HFS+ just fine.

If so I guess I'll just wait for 10.12.6 before I archive my boot backup on that iMac.

 

[chrfr]

Version on the iMac is 10.12.5 is something like 16F73 whereas the MacBook's is 16F2073 or something like that. Is it correct to assume that the build number for the iMac's install is an older version, not compatible with the MacBook?

Yes, this is your problem.

 

[treekram]

The problem isn't HFS+, it's that the new drivers needed for the new 2017 MacBook are not included in 10.12.5, but was included in the "special" version of 10.12.5 prepared for the new Mac hardware that was recently introduced. Apple will do this because putting in the software for new hardware can give away information on the new hardware before they're introduced. 10.12.6 should resolve the issue.

 

[EugW]

I figured. I'll wait for 10.6, do another backup, and then archive the backup. That way with a 10.6 backup, I can boot from any recent machine including my 2017 Macs, if that ever becomes necessary.