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New MacBook pro

How do I use iCloud to create a backup of my current MacBook pro to then restore onto my new MacBook pro?

Posted on May 3, 2021 3:03 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 3, 2021 3:10 PM

Apple offers iCloud Backup for iPhones and iPads but not for Mac computers.


It is possible to sync data from a Mac to iCloud if you turn on those options (e.g., iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive including the Desktop & Documents option). Syncing has some of the benefits of a backup (and the benefit of being offsite) but is not the same as a backup. Major differences include the fact that not everything on your Mac can be synced and the fact that if you delete something, accidentally or otherwise, there is only a limited time period (30 days in most cases) during which it can be recovered.


Also see: https://support.apple.com/mac-backup


And more information on syncing in:

Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

and

iCloud Drive FAQ - Apple Support


If you only want to transfer Photos and Documents (and other data such as Contacts, Notes, Reminders that have options to sync) to your new MacBook Pro and if your old Mac is new enough to support iCloud Photos and iCloud Drive (see: System requirements for iCloud - Apple Support ), you could transfer that information by turning those options on in the old Mac and insuring all of that data synced to iCloud and then turning on the same options in the new Mac. I would not dispose of or erase the old Mac until I was certain of the results. Also note that you will need to subscribe to an iCloud storage plan large enough to accommodate that.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 3, 2021 3:10 PM in response to brfriesen

Apple offers iCloud Backup for iPhones and iPads but not for Mac computers.


It is possible to sync data from a Mac to iCloud if you turn on those options (e.g., iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive including the Desktop & Documents option). Syncing has some of the benefits of a backup (and the benefit of being offsite) but is not the same as a backup. Major differences include the fact that not everything on your Mac can be synced and the fact that if you delete something, accidentally or otherwise, there is only a limited time period (30 days in most cases) during which it can be recovered.


Also see: https://support.apple.com/mac-backup


And more information on syncing in:

Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

and

iCloud Drive FAQ - Apple Support


If you only want to transfer Photos and Documents (and other data such as Contacts, Notes, Reminders that have options to sync) to your new MacBook Pro and if your old Mac is new enough to support iCloud Photos and iCloud Drive (see: System requirements for iCloud - Apple Support ), you could transfer that information by turning those options on in the old Mac and insuring all of that data synced to iCloud and then turning on the same options in the new Mac. I would not dispose of or erase the old Mac until I was certain of the results. Also note that you will need to subscribe to an iCloud storage plan large enough to accommodate that.

New MacBook pro

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