recover files from time machine to different mac

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recover files from time machine to different mac

I would like to recover some files my Mom had backed up on a Time Capsule. The only way to access a time capsule backup is via time machine or migration assistant. Time machine to my knowledge only works for the computer which was being backed up. And migration assistant is only useful if you are restoring an old computer or to transfer data to a new one.

Since I only want to recover certain files is there a way for me to do that?

MacBook Air (M2, 2022)

Posted on Sep 22, 2023 3:51 PM

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Answer 1

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Barney-15E

Level 10

116,830 points

Sep 22, 2023 7:59 PM in response to s49

s49 wrote:

I tried this and was able to connect to the time capsule. When I double clicked on the sparse disk image it just opened a larger image of the icon with the size info.

I have no idea what you are describing. Almost sounds like you QuickLooked it by hitting the spacebar.

Another problem I encountered is when I try to get to the files on time machine on her computer even when I go back to a date in the past it shows the last updated date as today. That is why I was trying to access the files another way since I can't get to them on her computer.

That sounds like it is corrupted. Try running First Aid on it using Disk Utility.

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Answer 2

s49 Author

Level 1

22 points

Sep 23, 2023 9:21 AM in response to Barney-15E

OK so first I held option to see other time capsule disks.

I selected the drive and hit use disk. Which brought me to the screen below. I double clicked data which opened that up to show the two backups. One for my Dad's computer and one for my Mom's.

I then double clicked her sparse disk image and this is what I got. I wasn't holding any other keys when I did this.

Not sure what I am doing wrong here.

How do I get the time capsule to show up in disk utility so I can run first aid? Haven't tried to run disk utility on an externally connected drive. Nevermind I see it shows up so I am running first aid now.

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Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

116,830 points

Sep 22, 2023 4:05 PM in response to s49

On the Mac you want to copy them to, hold down the Option key and choose Browse other Time Machine disks.

You may have to connect to the disk in the Finder (Sidebar, Locations) before you can select it. You will probably find a . sparsediskimage. Double-click to mount that.

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Answer 4

s49 Author

Level 1

22 points

Sep 22, 2023 7:52 PM in response to Barney-15E

I tried this and was able to connect to the time capsule. When I double clicked on the sparse disk image it just opened a larger image of the icon with the size info.

Another problem I encountered is when I try to get to the files on time machine on her computer even when I go back to a date in the past it shows the last updated date as today. That is why I was trying to access the files another way since I can't get to them on her computer.

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Answer 5

s49 Author

Level 1

22 points

Sep 23, 2023 9:54 AM in response to Barney-15E

It appears you may be correct. I noticed my Dad's computer failed backup overnight. The details said it may need first aid. And first aid failed but I think both may have been caused because I tried to do both at the same time. Fingers crossed.

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recover files from time machine to different mac

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