HT204350: Move your content to a new Mac

Learn about Move your content to a new Mac
lutherfrommd

Q: If you migrate a application from a macbook pro to a mac pro is the application copied or removed from the source mac?

If I Migrate an application to my new mac pro from my mac book pro, will it work on both computers or is it removed from the source computer. Need to know befor I do it.

Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Feb 9, 2014 9:06 AM

Close

Q: If you migrate a application from a macbook pro to a mac pro is the application copied or removed from the source mac?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by QuickTimeKirk,

    QuickTimeKirk QuickTimeKirk Feb 9, 2014 9:21 AM in response to lutherfrommd
    Level 9 (53,134 points)
    Feb 9, 2014 9:21 AM in response to lutherfrommd

    Copying a file from one hard drive to another via "drag and drop" merely duplicates the file and the original is left alone.

  • by Eustace Mendis,

    Eustace Mendis Eustace Mendis Feb 9, 2014 9:58 AM in response to lutherfrommd
    Level 7 (25,402 points)
    Feb 9, 2014 9:58 AM in response to lutherfrommd

    Since the original copy remains you can try to run it on two computers.

     

    But some apps do not want you to do that (if the license states the app is to be installed on one computer). Then if the two computers are on the same network you could get a message telling you the app is already open and running on another computer.

     

    Also, many apps have associated files installed in folders other than Applications. In this situation copying just the app from one Applications folder to another on a different computer will not be sufficient for the app to run on the second computer.

     

    But as QuickTimeKirk has already told you, the second is just a copy. So if the legal and other issues are of no concern, you can try it without hurting the original installation.