For my iMac, switching from a HDD to SSD and wanting to change the filesystem to APFS, is there a way to clone the drive?

[2aw]

I want to change the HDD in my iMac to a SSD.

My HDD is just the standard Mac filesystem (I forget the type).
I want the SSD to be APFS, because it works better that way.

I have a 2.5" external enclosure, my plan is to put the 2.5" SSD in the external enclosure and plug it in the usb port in the back.
Is there a way to just clone the HDD drive to my SSD with CarbonCopyCloner, and have the filesystem of the SSD be APFS?
Or do I have to use another software?

Or is the above not even possible, then I would need to make a time machine backup of the HDD, swap the HDD and SSD inside my iMac, format the SSD to APFS, install MacOS 10.13 to the SSD using a flashdrive, and then use migration assistant to restore my backup?
Seems pretty convoluted, I hope I don't have to do it this way.

Or do you experts know of a better way, how should I do this? Thank you.

 

[rpmurray]

The version of APFS between High Sierra (10.13) and a more recent macOS has substantial differences. So much so that if you hook an SSD formatted as APFS on a newer macOS to a Mac running High Sierra you'll likely get a message that it's not compatible. Are you wedded to High Sierra, through not being able to update because of hardware or personal preference?

As far as I know you should be able to clone the internal HDD formatted as HFS+ to the external SSD formatted as APFS using CCC. Apple didn't start sealing the macOS until Catalina (10.15) so it's really just a straightforward copy process. More current versions of CCC default to not copying the OS but I'm not sure if it does that when running on an older version of macOS. You could give it a try, it's not like it'll damage anything. Then once you've made the copy see if the Mac will boot from the external SSD.

 

[2aw]

The version of APFS between High Sierra (10.13) and a more recent macOS has substantial differences. So much so that if you hook an SSD formatted as APFS on a newer macOS to a Mac running High Sierra you'll likely get a message that it's not compatible. Are you wedded to High Sierra, through not being able to update because of hardware or personal preference?

As far as I know you should be able to clone the internal HDD formatted as HFS+ to the external SSD formatted as APFS using CCC. Apple didn't start sealing the macOS until Catalina (10.15) so it's really just a straightforward copy process. More current versions of CCC default to not copying the OS but I'm not sure if it does that when running on an older version of macOS. You could give it a try, it's not like it'll damage anything. Then once you've made the copy see if the Mac will boot from the external SSD.

I have to stick with 10.13 because that is as far as it can go on a 2010 27" iMac.
The new SSD will also go into the 27" iMac 2010, so does it really matter if there is a newer version of APFS when all it will do is go back into the same machine? Just asking for clarification.

So I guess I can just try cloning it, like how you said in the 2nd paragraph, and not worry about the technical details. I just wanted to make sure I am not leaving some performance on the table if am stuck with HFS+ on a SSD.

You wrote "More current versions of CCC default to not copying the OS" what does that mean exactly? I tried cloning a HDD to an SSD in the past (this was before APFS was created by Apple), and the process was straightforward and after the cloning, I did the HDD to SSD swap in my laptop, and it worked fine. Everything was copied over, including the OS, because I could boot from the newly installed SSD.

 

[rpmurray]

If you're going to stay on High Sierra then the version of APFS won't matter.

Here's a link that explains why CCC doesn't, by default, copy the OS, from Big Sur and up. Creating legacy bootable copies of macOS (Big Sur and later). I'm thinking that for earlier versions of the OS it probably will, but haven't tried that myself.

 

[2aw]

If you're going to stay on High Sierra then the version of APFS won't matter.

Here's a link that explains why CCC doesn't, by default, copy the OS, from Big Sur and up. Creating legacy bootable copies of macOS (Big Sur and later). I'm thinking that for earlier versions of the OS it probably will, but haven't tried that myself.

OK, I will just clone the HDD to my SSD with CCC, I guess whatever filesystem ends up of the SSD it will still be fast right?

What is up with Apple locking down their hardware more and more after each passing year?

When will it stop and what will the end look like?

 

[rpmurray]

Yes, the SSD will be substantially faster than the HDD when it's installed internally. Connected via USB 2.0 on the 2010 iMac will be much slower.

One thing to mention. I have a 2011 27 inch iMac at home and using OCLP I was able to install Monterey on it and it works quite well for what I do with it. Web browsing, email, etc. so you may consider that if you want to be running something more current. OCLP is essential a tool that automates the installation of OpenCore with the right settings for whatever particular Mac you're using. It was totally painless to install. There are several YouTube videos on how to do that. The ones by Mr. Macintosh were what I used, macOS Monterey on Unsupported Macs [2008-2015] OpenCore Legacy Patcher!!!

 

[2aw]

Yes, the SSD will be substantially faster than the HDD when it's installed internally. Connected via USB 2.0 on the 2010 iMac will be much slower.

One thing to mention. I have a 2011 27 inch iMac at home and using OCLP I was able to install Monterey on it and it works quite well for what I do with it. Web browsing, email, etc. so you may consider that if you want to be running something more current. OCLP is essential a tool that automates the installation of OpenCore with the right settings for whatever particular Mac you're using. It was totally painless to install. There are several YouTube videos on how to do that. The ones by Mr. Macintosh were what I used, macOS Monterey on Unsupported Macs [2008-2015] OpenCore Legacy Patcher!!!

Hold up, I think there is some confusion here, in my posts I always intended to install the SSD internally, afterall that is the normal way, why would anyone even think for a second to do it your way that you just said (using it externally). No wonder why your replies in this thread seemed off.

How would you change your replies now that you know that I will install the SSD inside the iMac, like how it is normally done, I thought that was obvious, I should not have to write that out explicitly...

 

[DeltaMac]

You actually stated in your OP that you would be using the SSD in an external USB enclosure.
Perhaps you meant something else, but that's not in your first post...
Yes, of course, an internal install gives the best result, but some here do not have the experience level to make that task a comfortable one - so, it is actually common here to suggest an external boot drive (particularly if the Mac in question has USB 3.0 ports) Your 2010 iMac is straightforward for a swap-out (compared to later iMacs with taped displays), but can be intimidating for a lot of folks
Some folks leave an external boot as a permanent solution.
Personally, I would not choose a USB 2.0 iMac for that - but it does work. (The firewire port would be better, but FW enclosures are getting stinky hard to find now

The way that I would change my reply to swapping an SSD in, HDD out?
Assuming that the HDD coming out is still functional, you would put the HDD in the external enclosure.
Swap in the SSD. Install your macOS system on the new SSD, already in place, and migrate your data from the old HDD. Keep the HDD, there's your ready backup, as everything already exists as a bootable drive on the old HDD.

 

[2aw]

You actually stated in your OP that you would be using the SSD in an external USB enclosure.
Perhaps you meant something else, but that's not in your first post...
Yes, of course, an internal install gives the best result, but some here do not have the experience level to make that task a comfortable one - so, it is actually common here to suggest an external boot drive (particularly if the Mac in question has USB 3.0 ports) Your 2010 iMac is straightforward for a swap-out (compared to later iMacs with taped displays), but can be intimidating for a lot of folks
Some folks leave an external boot as a permanent solution.
Personally, I would not choose a USB 2.0 iMac for that - but it does work. (The firewire port would be better, but FW enclosures are getting stinky hard to find now

The way that I would change my reply to swapping an SSD in, HDD out?
Assuming that the HDD coming out is still functional, you would put the HDD in the external enclosure.
Swap in the SSD. Install your macOS system on the new SSD, already in place, and migrate your data from the old HDD. Keep the HDD, there's your ready backup, as everything already exists as a bootable drive on the old HDD.

I see where I wrote that now, that line was a part of some steps, I will repost my question later, to make everything clear.

Your way is the way I wanted to avoid, as there are extra steps, so is the first way possible: Is there a way to just clone the HDD drive to my SSD with CarbonCopyCloner, and have the filesystem of the SSD be APFS?
Or do I have to use another software?

 

[rpmurray]

Your way is the way I wanted to avoid, as there are extra steps, so is the first way possible: Is there a way to just clone the HDD drive to my SSD with CarbonCopyCloner, and have the filesystem of the SSD be APFS?
Or do I have to use another software?

Yes. CCC really doesn't care what format the drives are using on both ends as long as it is readable by the OS. So just format the SSD as APFS and have CCC backup the HDD (presumably formatted in HFS+) to it.

 

[Fishrrman]

You haven't told us
- what year the iMac is
- what version of the OS you're using (High Sierra?)

Assuming you ARE using High Sierra, do this:
a. Get the external enclosure.
b. Put the SSD into the enclosure.
c. Connect it to the Mac
d. Open disk utility
e. VERY IMPORTANT STEP: go to the view menu and choose "show all devices"
f. Click ONE TIME on the line that represents the physical SSD, then click erase
g. If you're using High Sierra, I'd suggest that you STAY WITH HFS+. If you want to use APFS, you can, but I predict HFS+ will work as good.
h. Once the erase/initialization is done, quit disk utility.

OK, I recommend SuperDuper (instead of CCC) for the next step.
Get SD from here:

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

SuperDuper is FREE TO USE for the job we are going to do.

REASON WHY I suggest SD -- it's VERY easy to understand and use if you've never used it before.

NEXT:
1. Open SuperDuper
2. Accept the default settings for now
3. On the left, put your source (the internal drive)
4. On the right, put your target (the SSD)
5. Let SuperDuper clone the drive

When done, open the startup disk preference pane.
Do you now see the SSD there (as well as the internal drive)?
If so, click the lock and enter your password.
Now select the SSD, then close system preferences.

Now... REBOOT.
If things have gone as they should, the Mac should now boot from the SSD.

PRINT OUT this reply, follow it carefully.
Good luck!