StarvinMarvin wrote:
I've got a new mac (new to me) and I want to restore particular files from Time Machine on an external Hard Drive. After plugging in the new drive, on the far right I can see a timeline with dates from backups of my old mac as well as a couple for today with my new mac. BUT in the center I can only access backups from my new mac. It indicates there are more backups, but they are greyed out and inaccessible.
I'm running Catalina 10.15.7 on an iMac
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/e86341d6-017e-447a-a6c4-53a3c35a705f
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/d2e59bfd-c617-48be-b445-4d96a587a8c1
So how do I access these backups? I really need to get my retrieve my old photos. Thanks!
Hold the option key when you click open the TM icon in the upper right menu bar...Browse Other Backup Disk
If no luck— you can explore further options
If your new Mac inherits your backup history - Apple Support
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/if-your-new-mac-inherits-your-backup-history-mh35732/mac
Enter TM and then use the keys Shift Command C This will bring upfront your main drive.
You can now scroll back in time. Once you get where you want you can then open the drive and scroll down to your user library and then documents, downloads, etc. and find the item you want.
Then copy to desktop and use or move from there.
ref: How to access Time Machine files from previous OS install?
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5579823
