Accessing old time machine backups with new MacBook Air

I have just purchased and am setting up a new MacBook Air with M1 chip and Monterey OS (12.4). For over a decade I've used a MacBook Air connected by Wi-Fi to an AirPort Time Machine Capsule for automatic backups. Set up of new computer has been smooth but I have this remaining problem: I cannot seem to be able to get access to the backup files on the AirPort. It appears that I can connect to the AirPort using Time Machine and could start backing up now from scratch, but I would like to be able to get to the older files. I should say that I have been able to download all my prior files using Dropbox, so I'm not "dead in the water" if I can't get to the old files through AirPort (thank goodness!!). I should also say that my older Air died so I can't use it to help solve this problem. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks! --John

MacBook Air Apple Silicon

Posted on Jul 21, 2022 3:56 PM

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John Galt

Level 10

156,062 points

Posted on Jul 21, 2022 6:43 PM

Hold an Option key while selecting the TM icon in the Mac's menu bar, and select Browse Other Backup Disks...

When setting up your new Mac, you were asked if you want to transfer content from a Time Machine backup. That is the ideal way to set up a new Mac; of course lots of people want to start using it right away vs. waiting the better part of a day (or more) for data to transfer.

You can still do that if you want, but you would first need to erase your Mac and start over.

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Accessing old time machine backups with new MacBook Air

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