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User profile for user: Bruce L.
Bruce L. Author
User level: Level 1
28 points

Migration aftermath - why can't I log in?

I migrated from my MB Pro to a new MB Air today. Did it via Ehertrnet connection to MBP backup on Time Capsule.


Finished migrating and presented with the login screen. I logged in and saw the Notification "Optimizing your Mac... "


That note was up for about ten minues (then vanished) and now I'm still not logged in. I see a spinning dial (not beach ball) about 30 minutes later and my login icon and Catalina Island.


Is the MB Air stuck?


What do I do now? How long should this optimization take? How to recover?

MacBook Air

Posted on Sep 5, 2020 3:42 PM

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User profile for user: Rafael Scheid
Rafael Scheid
User level: Level 5
5,346 points

Posted on Sep 5, 2020 7:41 PM

Automatic recover from Time Machine or Migration Assistant are two things I never recommend.

I always tell people to make a clean install, setup as a new Mac, install latest version of favorite apps, and for a backup, go to Sys Prefs > Sharing and rename the computer to the same name of previous install or old computer used (this name is the same of the .backupbundle file), then activate TM in Sys Prefs and select the same drive used as TM. This allows macOS to identify the old TM and you can open it in that particular TM way with the timeline of backups on the right, and then manually copy all data in steps, controlling the process and making sure all files are back and still working, avoiding bringing old configs and broken files and apps back to your fresh install.


I know, those features are here just for the job, but I learned hard way is the best way in this situation.

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User profile for user: Rafael Scheid
Rafael Scheid
User level: Level 5
5,346 points

Sep 5, 2020 7:41 PM in response to Bruce L.

Automatic recover from Time Machine or Migration Assistant are two things I never recommend.

I always tell people to make a clean install, setup as a new Mac, install latest version of favorite apps, and for a backup, go to Sys Prefs > Sharing and rename the computer to the same name of previous install or old computer used (this name is the same of the .backupbundle file), then activate TM in Sys Prefs and select the same drive used as TM. This allows macOS to identify the old TM and you can open it in that particular TM way with the timeline of backups on the right, and then manually copy all data in steps, controlling the process and making sure all files are back and still working, avoiding bringing old configs and broken files and apps back to your fresh install.


I know, those features are here just for the job, but I learned hard way is the best way in this situation.

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Migration aftermath - why can't I log in?

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