Does Migration Assistant delete/overwrite the existing data of the "new" device.

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Level 1

4 points

Does Migration Assistant delete/overwrite the existing data of the "new" device.

Hi, I am trying to backup my newer Macbook Pro to my much older iMac, because I'm having hardware issues and this is the only way I've been able to find out how to do it without using external plugs. I'm doing this because my iMac has a huge amount of unused hard drive storage but I don't have a spare external hard drive so my best bet is to back up the newer computer to the old one, both of which I still use.

However it is IMMENSELY important to me that Migration Assistant only TRANSFERS the Macbook data to the iMac, and does NOT override/erase the iMac's already existing data. I need to keep that. But I haven't been able to find any resource online that clarifies this. If anyone knows what exactly happens when you use Migration Assistant with any more detail, I would really appreciate it.

iMac 27″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Aug 20, 2022 2:44 PM

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Answer 1

ku4hx

Level 7

23,842 points

Aug 21, 2022 8:24 AM in response to ayettatkl

A new Mac should have no user data on it to overwrite. If yours does, either you created it or you bought a used Mac thinking it was new.

You're going to save yourself a lot of time and possible frustration if you get an external drive. The backup process to it will be simple and easy. How long it takes depends on how much data you have.

External HDDs are cheap and plentiful and once you're done with it as a transfer device it can be a backup drive which you should have anyway.

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Answer 2

ayettatkl Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 21, 2022 1:33 PM in response to ku4hx

Hi there, as I said earlier, the iMac that I want to transfer the MacBook’s data to is several years older and has a lot of data on it. I want to back up the newer (2017 model) computer’s data onto the old (2014) computer. Does using Migration Assistant overwrite the old computer’s data and fully replace it with the new one’s data? I realize this is unconventional but that’s why I needed to make this post. The iMac in question is NOT new and I have been using it for several years.

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Does Migration Assistant delete/overwrite the existing data of the "new" device.

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