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Setting up a new Mac from an old one using a GRADUAL clean install

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nick777vvv

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 23, 2019
7
0
I'm moving from my trusty 2009 MacBook Pro to a squeaky clean 2019 16".

Migration Assistant looks the temptingly easy option but with eleven years worth of accumulated files, I'm considering a clean install instead, with the idea of keeping the new machine uncluttered with unwanted files.

I already have an external hard drive with an up to date Carbon Copy Clone so, in theory, I'm good to go.

I know it will be time consuming but is it practical to add applications gradually, to ensure that they work, rather than copying everything over in one hit and praying that it all works out? I've nearly 800GB of files and am thinking of taking this slowly over a few days and then ironing out any glitches as and when they occur.

Perhaps starting with Mail (the most important), then music, photos, MS Office etc etc. Not sure if certain apps ought to be loaded before others...

Can you see any issues with this approach?

Thanks
Nick
 
With CCC.

As I understand it, MA is more useful for wholesale replication of the drive, whereas CCC will appear as an additional drive in File Manager and I can pick and choose the files.
 
what do you do for applications what have files in multiple places like /Application Support/ etc..?

Would it not be simpler to clone all and clean after with Daisy Disk?
 
Now that's a very good point.

The idea was to avoid importing all the crap and defunct files that I no longer need. But if files are spread out across different folders then I guess that makes life difficult?

Could I get around this though by simply doing a fresh install of the latest app software, on a case by case basis?
 
When I do a clean install, I will make sure I have a current bootable clone of my system drive, then I will do fresh installs of my apps from the App Store, or the apps original source, if possible. If not I can manually migrate what apps I want to keep from the clone, then decide if I want to use Migration Assistant for all my files or prune them manually.
 
Since you already have a CCC cloned backup, you're in good shape.
You can go various ways.

With 800gb of stuff (how does anyone accumulate that much?), that could involve a LOT of "picking and choosing" about what to migrate.
It CAN be done, but it's definitely more work.

Remember that if you set up a "new" account on the new MBP, you have to consider "permissions problems" when migrating stuff over. Doesn't matter if you use the same username and password -- the new MBP is going to "see" your NEW account as DIFFERENT THAN your old one.

This can be avoided by:
a. Mount the CCC backup drive on the desktop
b. Click ONE TIME on the icon to select it
c. Summon up the "get info" box (command-i)
d. Click the lock at the bottom and enter your NEW password
e. Put a check int
o "ignore ownership on this volume" and close get info.
Now you can copy stuff from the backup to the new account, and anything you copy will "come under the ownership" of the new account.

Another way:
Have the CCC backup connected BEFORE YOU PRESS THE POWER ON BUTTON (on the new MBP) for the first time.
Use setup assistant to "selectively migrate" your old account and apps, but leave other stuff behind.
Example: you could UNCHECK the options (in your account) to migrate pictures, music and movies (and move that later "by hand"). Doing this will get your "barebones" account info over, without dragging "other stuff" along with it.

Some apps (Office?) you may have to "re-authorize" even with setup assistant.

Be aware that the 2019 16" will come with Catalina.
This means that ALL your older apps that are 32 bit will no longer run.
There's "no fix" other than to get newer apps.
(Note: there is a trick out there called "Retroactive" that can coax old copies of Aperture, iPhoto and iTunes to run, but I haven't tried it).
 
Very useful, thanks all (particularly Fishrrman for the detailed response). Fresh app installs may be the only way to go if Catalina won't recognise the older ones.

Although I will be anticipating a fair bit of hassle with this, I'm thinking I should still be able to access everything as the settings, apps and functions of my old laptop won't have changed.

I'm sort of assuming I can carry on using the old MacBook until the new one is as I want it and I've ironed out all the glitches...

Or am I missing something?
 
The easiest path is to simply moth ball the 09. It has little value on the market, but makes a nice, hassle free storage box.

Old MBPs hibernate well, and you can always go back and grab a file or app at any time.

You probably will seldom need that old stuff and your new machine will stay factory fresh ,and fast. a2
 
Last edited:
So my first challenge in this journey is to get Apple Mail working on the new machine. If I can crack this one I shall be very pleased and will move on to the rest of the apps.

There's a useful recent article at https://www.lifewire.com/transfer-apple-mail-to-new-mac-2260915

The author makes it look easy:

Step 1 Copy KeyChain file
Step 2 Copy your Mail files
Step 3 Copy your Preferences

All was looking doable until I discovered I don't have the relevant com.apple.mail.plist file anywhere on my computer.

I have com.apple.mail-shared.plist in the Preferences folder.

And I have com.apple.mail in the Containers folder.

But not the mail.plist file referred to.

So I'm loathe to jump in before I know exactly what I'm getting into.

Any ideas? What happens if I go ahead without Preferences...?

PS
The new MacBook is still in the box. Need to get all the ducks in a row before I press GO!
 
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