Hi,
I want to clean install Mojave on to a new SSD. I have a full backup with time Machine. I also have about 500gb in iCloud Drive. After the clean install, can I restore the 500gb in to the iCloud Drive folder easily rather than downloading the 500gb which seems pointless. As soon as i sign in to iCloud it starts synching. Would be grateful for any thoughts and suggestions.
Gaz.
Installing macOS on a previously erased device is simple enough so I assume you don't need instructions for that.
Once macOS is installed, the installer will ask if you want to transfer information from another Mac or its Time Machine backup. Do that. It will transfer the contents of its iCloud Drive folder which resides on the TM backup just like everything else from the source Mac. That folder is the same as any other, in that it is not downloaded, but signing in to iCloud will require its contents to be synchronized with iCloud.
To be clear, synching does not imply it needs to download all 500 GB. However, synchronization will need to occur. It is somewhat time-consuming and cannot be avoided.
Installing macOS on a previously erased device is simple enough so I assume you don't need instructions for that.
Once macOS is installed, the installer will ask if you want to transfer information from another Mac or its Time Machine backup. Do that. It will transfer the contents of its iCloud Drive folder which resides on the TM backup just like everything else from the source Mac. That folder is the same as any other, in that it is not downloaded, but signing in to iCloud will require its contents to be synchronized with iCloud.
To be clear, synching does not imply it needs to download all 500 GB. However, synchronization will need to occur. It is somewhat time-consuming and cannot be avoided.
What I described will accomplish exactly that. Select only the User Account(s) you wish to migrate. De-select Applications and everything else.
You won't be restoring from the iCloud backup. You will be restoring from the Time Machine backup. You don't even need an Internet connection to do that. Turn it off / disconnect it if you're in doubt.
John Galt wrote:
Installing macOS on a previously erased device is simple enough so I assume you don't need instructions for that.
I suppose I was mistaken. Apple does not use the terminology "clean install".
That last step is described in that document: "If your Mac restarts to a setup assistant, but you're selling or giving it away, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup."
Hi John,
Thanks for your reply. I don't really want to restore from the iCloud backup in that way though as I want to do a completely clean install without restoring apps, settings, keychain etc etc so I wanted to just manually copy the files across after reinstalling. I will probably just do that and let sync sort it all out.
I tried this but it's not what I would call a clean install of the OS. It restores my user account not just files so it brings back settings, application support files, desktop settings etc which I do not want.
Clean Install
