You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Jpmuzi Author

Level 1

20 points

Migration Assistant can't find Time Machine backup drive

I'm replacing an older Mac (10.6.8) with a new iMac. I first attempted to restore the backup during install, but even though the Time Machine backups were listed properly, when I selected the newest one it said I couldn't restore it because the source wasn't the same type of computer (it was a Mac Pro).

I then tried to use Migration Assistant, however it doesn't see the drive at all. It just keeps searching. The drive mounts normally in the OS, and disk utility says it's healthy. Is there a way to get Migration Assistant to see this backup drive? Is the only option to copy any files I want off the drive manualy?

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Mar 23, 2020 1:13 PM

Top-ranking reply

Old Toad

Level 10

210,831 points

Posted on Mar 23, 2020 1:57 PM

You can use Time Machine to select and restore your data files. It TM doesn't recognize your TM drive hold down the Option key and select "Browser Other Backup Discs..." and select the same drive again.

View in context

Migration Assistant can't find Time Machine backup drive

Similar questions