How to do a clean install and migrate some data

[Mitochondrion]

I want to do a clean install of Monterey from Big Sur but I also want to migrate some data rather than starting from scratch. The data that I want to migrate are:

• Safari history.
• iMessages.
• Music (especially play count for tracks).

That's all. Everything else can start from scratch.

 

[chabig]

Let those things (Safari, iMessage, and Music) sync to iCloud. Then after you restore the Mac, they will sync back from iCloud.

 

[Mitochondrion]

I’m using the standard 5 GB iCloud. I don’t store Messages nor Music in iCloud. Both surpass the 5 GB free storage.

 

[glenthompson]

I’m using the standard 5 GB iCloud. I don’t store Messages nor Music in iCloud. Both surpass the 5 GB free storage.

Sign up for more space, do the migration, then cancel the space upgrade and delete the data.

 

[chabig]

Sign up for more space, do the migration, then cancel the space upgrade and delete the data.

This. At most he would pay $2-$3 for one month.

 

[Ifti]

You could create yourself a bootable USB

 

[chabig]

You could create yourself a bootable USB

That won't help him migrate the limited data he's asking for.

 

[Mitochondrion]

I'm not keen on storing iMessages on iCloud. I want it local and I don't want to pay for online storage. It turns out you can restore iMessages from backup and Safari browsing data too. I'm going to try it once I upgrade.