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User profile for user: SC_Stigmata
SC_Stigmata Author
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13 points

Using Time Machine with different OS?

I'm planning to use Time Machine to transfer data from my late 2018 MacBook Air (Intel i5 chip) to a new MacBook Air (Apple M1 chip). My 2018 is currently running Mojave 10.14.6. The new MacBook Air has Big Sur 10.16. If I use my Time Machine back-up from my 2018 MBA to transfer all my content on to the new MBA will it also transfer the OS or is the software smart enough to only transfer the data but not the OS? Or, should I just be safe and install Big Sur on my 2018 MBA and then perform a Time Machine Back-up. Once that is complete, then use Time Machine to set up my new MBA. Thank you.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Dec 29, 2020 5:52 PM

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User profile for user: SC_Stigmata
SC_Stigmata Author
User level: Level 1
13 points

Posted on Dec 29, 2020 10:37 PM

Yes, I believe that is my plan. I will turn on the new computer and select the language, country, and my wifi network. I believe the next menu says to transfer information to this Mac and there are 3 options. The first option is from a Mac, Time Machine Back-up or external drive. The second option is from a PC and the third from leave the Mac as is and start up as a new computer. I planned to select the first option since I will be using a Time Machine Back-up. Once I select this and hit continue, it should be looking for a source and I will plug in my external HD. Hopefully it will recognize it. Assuming it does, I will select it and hopefully it will then show me my last back-up. I will select that and continue. So, if this is using Migration Assistant then yes, that is my plan.

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User profile for user: SC_Stigmata
SC_Stigmata Author
User level: Level 1
13 points

Dec 29, 2020 10:37 PM in response to Tesserax

Yes, I believe that is my plan. I will turn on the new computer and select the language, country, and my wifi network. I believe the next menu says to transfer information to this Mac and there are 3 options. The first option is from a Mac, Time Machine Back-up or external drive. The second option is from a PC and the third from leave the Mac as is and start up as a new computer. I planned to select the first option since I will be using a Time Machine Back-up. Once I select this and hit continue, it should be looking for a source and I will plug in my external HD. Hopefully it will recognize it. Assuming it does, I will select it and hopefully it will then show me my last back-up. I will select that and continue. So, if this is using Migration Assistant then yes, that is my plan.

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Using Time Machine with different OS?

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