How to install 19A512f on a new SSD (larger/replacment)?

[Julien]

Have 19A501i installed but my SSD is out of room and can't update. Bought larger SSD but can't figure out how to use it.

• Formatted to APFS
• Tried CCC but NO GO, can't Clone
• Tried Time Machine and sees backups but it doesn't see APFS drives (WTH????)
• Tried installing Catalina to the new drive (it allows me to select it) but nothing after reboot

When I try installing to the new drive it downloads the installer files to the SSD and then reboots. Then nothing happens. I have even tried running the files and it looks like the installer is running but it doesn't do anything. There is no way to boot to the drive (tried holding Option at boot) since it doesn't have an OS on it. How do you instal to it if you can't boot it and it will only boot to my current drive?

What are my options and how do I do this?

 

[Strategia]

You might want to try running the 19A501i installer using macOS Recovery onto the new SSD, then downloading and opening the 19A512f installer while running on the new drive and simply upgrading it to the latest beta.

 

[Julien]

You might want to try running the 19A501i installer using macOS Recovery onto the new SSD, then downloading and opening the 19A512f installer while running on the new drive and simply upgrading it to the latest beta.

So you can use Recovery to install on another drive? After I select Reinstall macOS it will allow me to select another drive to install to?

Also when I tried Recovery and selected Time machine it could not even see the APFS drives. Will Recovery Reinstall be able to see them?

 

[Julien]

Just for reference Disc Utility Restore doesn't work either. Seems odd that even Apple can't copy an APFS drives. If APFS can't be Cloned, Restored or backed up to Time Machine how is this a good thing? Enhanced security is great but if it is at the cost of never being able to upgrade or replace a drive then it seems short sighted.

 

[chrfr]

Just for reference Disc Utility Restore doesn't work either. Seems odd that even Apple can't copy an APFS drives. If APFS can't be Cloned, Restored or backed up to Time Machine how is this a good thing? Enhanced security is great but if it is at the cost of never being able to upgrade or replace a drive then it seems short sighted.

View attachment 848822

As suggested to you elsewhere, the workflow to follow is to install the operating system on the new disk and then use Migration Assistant to transfer your data. As the beta process progresses, other systems may work, but for now, migration is really the only option.

 

[Julien]

As suggested to you elsewhere, the workflow to follow is to install the operating system on the new disk and then use Migration Assistant to transfer your data. As the beta process progresses, other systems may work, but for now, migration is really the only option.

OK but how do i install it on the other drive? I have tried and after first boot nothing happened. See my original post.

"When I try installing to the new drive it downloads the installer files to the SSD and then reboots. Then nothing happens. I have even tried running the files and it looks like the installer is running but it doesn't do anything. There is no way to boot to the drive (tried holding Option at boot) since it doesn't have an OS on it. How do you instal to it if you can't boot it and it will only boot to my current drive?"

 

[Strategia]

So you can use Recovery to install on another drive? After I select Reinstall macOS it will allow me to select another drive to install to?

Yes, I was able to use Recovery to install a previous beta of Catalina on an external SSD just a few weeks ago. Recovery should see both APFS and HFS+ drives, but over the course of installing, it will change the drive to APFS. As chrfr suggested, Migration Assistant will help you migrate your files from the old drive to the new.

Also when I tried Recovery and selected Time machine it could not even see the APFS drives. Will Recovery Reinstall be able to see them?

As cited by this Apple Support article, Time Machine does not support APFS drives as a backup drive. Even if your drive is formatted to HFS+ and you backup to it, it won't be bootable. Recovery Installer + Migration Assistant is the way to go.

 

[chrfr]

OK but how do i install it on the other drive? I have tried and after first boot nothing happened. See my original post.

"When I try installing to the new drive it downloads the installer files to the SSD and then reboots. Then nothing happens. I have even tried running the files and it looks like the installer is running but it doesn't do anything. There is no way to boot to the drive (tried holding Option at boot) since it doesn't have an OS on it. How do you instal to it if you can't boot it and it will only boot to my current drive?"

I think at this point I'd start by reinstalling the original OS that came with your computer via internet recovery. Hold down command-option-shift-R as you turn it on. This will bring up internet recovery for that original operating system. Then, once you've gotten that going, upgrade it to the beta.

 

[Julien]

Yes, I was able to use Recovery to install a previous beta of Catalina on an external SSD just a few weeks ago. Recovery should see both APFS and HFS+ drives, but over the course of installing, it will change the drive to APFS. As chrfr suggested, Migration Assistant will help you migrate your files from the old drive to the new....

Just tried and thought it was working since it allowed me to select the new drive. It even said it was installing but after reboot don't see as a Startup disk. Can System Preferences see it. Will try Recovery again and hope Einstein was wrong about madness.

 

[Stefdar]

New CCC Catalina compatible is out, tried it, works.

 

[Julien]

New CCC Catalina compatible is out, tried it, works.

Downloading now and about to test..... a BIG (pre) THX.


OMG still pre and until I boot but for the first time I'm feeling optimistic.

 

[Stefdar]

You are pre-welcome, hahaha, it works like a charm, already booted the backup and everything is fine.

 

[Julien]

Got it going and SOOOOOO much less frustration and minimal downtime THANKS to CCC.

 

[Strategia]

Congratulations on getting it working!