iCloud Help moving to new mac - iCloud data.

[MrHoobs]

Ok guys so I need a sanity check on this.

I have an old iMac, moving to a MacBook Pro which I now have in hand.

Just thought I’d double check with apple support that signing out of iCloud on my current iMac won’t delete all my data on iCloud. Apparently it does!

- I always thought your main files were uploaded to iCloud so they could be accessed anywhere.
- according to the mac support guy, iCloud just acts as a backup, and if you sign out on your ‘main’ Mac, everything will be deleted.
- to continue, I need to download all of the iCloud data manually, wipe my iMac then upload them all via my new MacBook.

I only went with a 512gb MacBook because I’d read that you only see an optimised thumbnail on your device, the original version is stored in iCloud.

Surely this can’t be right? I see all my photos when I sign in on the new MacBook, but I’m told they will disappear once I wipe my old iMac?

Crazy if so.. you should just be able to turn off iCloud on any machine and data would remain in the cloud for you to access via another Mac / iPhone etc?

Rant over and any info appreciated!

 

[mystery hill]

First, make a backup of your old Mac onto an external drive to avoid any loss.

It’s always good to follow the 3-2-1 rule.
-3 copies of you data
-on 2 different storage mediums
-at least 1 copy offsite

you should just be able to turn off iCloud on any machine and data would remain in the cloud for you to access via another Mac / iPhone etc?

Turning off iCloud on your old Mac won’t remove the data from iCloud. You will still be able to access it on your iPhone and other devices.

I see all my photos when I sign in on the new MacBook, but I’m told they will disappear once I wipe my old iMac?

You’re right. They will not disappear when you wipe your old Mac. Photos will remain on iCloud.

 

[MrHoobs]

Thanks all. I spoke to another mac support guy rather than using the chat facility.

I shared my screen and showed him the previous chat and he was shocked at the advice!

I have Time Machine on an SSD external drive.

iCloud for photos and videos, I might pull out my old nas drive for an additional backup keep it in the garden office in case the house is burgled - that 3rd copy of data is a good idea! 👍🏼