Cloning or Upgrading External Boot Drive

[Wasp14]

Hi, I’ve been using an external SSD with my late 2017 iMac for about a year now, (Ventura). The internal HD is essentially just storage, the OS and everything is run off the external.

I’ve bought a new SSD with double the storage and want to use that instead/replace the existing one. Is there any easy way to do that so I don’t lose all the data/have to reinstall everything or do I have to recreate the process in setting up an external boot drive again?

Thank you.

 

[Juicy Box]

You can install a fresh OS on your new drive, and then use the migration assistant to copy everything over to the new drive from your old drive. This is easy and doesn’t require anything additional.

Another option is to use a third-party software and clone the drive, like CCC.

 

[Fishrrman]

If you follow my advice, I guarantee an easy and smooth transfer.
You will come back and post "I didn't think it would be that easy!"

OK, let's get going:

First, download SuperDuper by clicking this link:

https://shirt-pocket.com/mint/pepper/orderedlist/downloads/download.php?file=https%3A//shirt-pocket.com/downloads/SuperDuper%21.dmg

SuperDuper is FREE to use for what we're going to use it for.

When the new SSD arrives, first use disk utility to format it.
Erase to "APFS, GUID partition format".
Then quit disk utility and open SuperDuper.

SD is one of the easiest apps to understand and use that I've ever seen.
Just use it to "clone" the contents of your older SSD to your new SSD.
It will take a little while (depending on how much stuff is on the old one).

When done, open the startup disk preference (settings) pane.
Designate the NEW SSD to be the new boot drive.

Now, power down, all the way off.
Disconnect the old SSD.
Press the power on button.
You should boot to the new SSD.
It will LOOK JUST LIKE the old SSD (it's a "clone").
BUT... it will have a lot more "free space".

That's it, you're done.

It was THAT easy.

 

[Wasp14]

Thanks to you both for the help, really appreciate it.