you can't restore this backup because it was created by a different model of mac: MacBook Air 2017 to 2019

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you can't restore this backup because it was created by a different model of mac: MacBook Air 2017 to 2019

Hi,

I am trying to restore my system from my old MacBook Air 2017 to a new MacBook Air 2019 and get the error message "you can't restore this backup because it was created by a different model of mac". Both run on Mojave, the 2017 mac on 10.14.2, the 2019 mac on 10.14.5 . Why is this happening and is there a way around it?

I remember transferring from MacBook Pro 2008 to the MacBook Air 2017 was a breeze, I was set up in less than two hours. Now have spent days trying to solve all the problems and still no luck.

What I've done:

transferred everything I could to the new machine with the Migration Assistant. It has transferred apps, but not the settings it seems. Some apps seem to be refused or not working, on others license is not accepted. My workspace looks completely different
created a backup of the new machine
upgraded my old machine to Mojave (it was running Sierra), this went ok. Created a backup for that on a USB drive
tried restoring to the new machine from this backup using recovery mode (Command+R), but got the same error message. Would it help if I upgrade my old machine to 10.14.5? It is not so straightforward since Apple wants me to go to Catalina, not another version of Mojave. But I worry that upgrading to Catalina would create new problems rather than solving existing ones.
When the error message is displayed, there is an option to install new OS, the message says that in the process I would be able to restore from TimeMachine backup. Yet when I click on it, a rainbow circle starts spinning and nothing happens. I can only force shut down.

MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.14

Posted on Dec 12, 2019 2:28 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Cunnla

Level 6

8,263 points

Dec 12, 2019 10:30 PM in response to pquadrat

If I clean install Mojave on the new machine, will I be able to restore from the old machine backup?

No, you can only use a backup from the same Mac you need to restore to.

You can get around this by making a clone on an external HDD using third-party software such as Superduper or Carbon Copy Cloner and then boot up from the clone and copy it to your new Mac.

If you started Migration Assistant after setting up the new Mac, there could be a problem if you used the same account name on the new Mac as was on the old one. Try changing the account name on the old Mac. change user account name

See this article for help with migration problems. https://sixcolors.com/post/2016/11/whats-the-best-way-to-migrate/

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Answer 2

pquadrat Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 12, 2019 3:01 AM in response to Cunnla

Thank you for the reply.

I thought that was the point of backing up - that you can restore your workspace if it is lost.

I wouldn't mind migration assistant, but why wouldn't it transfer my settings correctly?

If I clean install Mojave on the new machine, will I be able to restore from the old machine backup? From what you are saying I gather it will not work either?

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