Not enough space for Time Machine Back-Up

Question

Level 1

57 points

Not enough space for Time Machine Back-Up

Hey friends,

I am currently working on an iMac with a 2TB Hard-Drive built in, I have been using it for years and all my data make up around 1,5TB of space. Finally, I got a new iMac, but those new iMacs only come with a small Hard-Drive. Mine's got 512 GB now.

Here's my question: How can I transfer all my data to this new iMac, so that all 1,5TB of data are there? Can I somehow purchase iCloud Storage before restoring everything? or plug a hard drive? And how would I go about it?

Sorry if my questions are stupid, but given my age, I struggle to keep up with everything.

Best,

Mark

iMac 27″, macOS 12.6

Posted on Dec 6, 2022 2:16 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jack-19

Level 8

46,248 points

Dec 6, 2022 11:44 PM in response to Marrvark

Hi Mark -

You could subscribe to an iCloud+ plan on your current Mac, Upgrade to iCloud+ - Apple Support, enable desktop and documents in iCloud, Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support, and enable all other functions of iCloud, such as iCloud Photo Library, Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support, and as long as all your files reside in an iCloud synced location, you can sign in with your Apple ID on the new Mac, and instantly have available all your files, photos and other content synced while using little local storage.

Personally, I have a 2 TB iCloud+ plan and I'm using ~300GB in iCloud. With "Optimize Mac Storage" (Free up storage space on your Mac - Apple Support), I only have ~60 GB of data, including macOS, locally stored on my Mac at any point. This means that typically I have 200 GB free of my 256 GB storage.

If I misunderstood your question, please let me know.

Jack

Reply

Answer 2

Marrvark Author

Level 1

57 points

Dec 7, 2022 6:08 AM in response to Jack-19

Hi Jack,

thank you so much for your helpful reply. I will do that. I have one more follow-up question on this though.

Most of my data on the iMac are my personal photos, which I want to keep. Currently, they are all well and neatly sorted in my photos app and use about 800 GB. So, moving them to the cloud would do the trick. However, I do not want the photos which I will upload from my iMac to transfer automatically to my iPhone or iPad. And I dont want that the other way either (that photos from my iPhone would automatically synch into my iMac photos app). I already upload iPhone photos into the cloud. So what settings do I need to choose so that my iMac pics wont synch to my phone and the other way round?

Thanks so much again!

Mark

Reply

Answer 3

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,108 points

Dec 7, 2022 4:48 PM in response to Marrvark

I usually avoid the iCloud and just use an external drive to avoid any cross pollination of info between devices. In the past I have had that issue even when I thought I had the correct iCloud settings but your choice.

Reply

Not enough space for Time Machine Back-Up

Similar questions