Can't Restore from Time Machine Anymore

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Level 2

293 points

Can't Restore from Time Machine Anymore

I'm just trying to restore a back from Computer A to Computer B. Time Machine Can't do it. I keep getting this Message. After reinstalling macOS - I still get the same message.

"You must must use Migration Assistant to transfer data from this backup. Reinstall macOS if necessary and then use Migration Assistant to transfer data from your back."

How can I restore from Time Machine? Is it possible?

2015 MacBook Pro (both computers). Monterey (both computers).

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 12.7

Posted on Oct 29, 2023 10:17 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Ronasara

Level 6

15,621 points

Oct 30, 2023 9:55 AM in response to silver_mica

To be clear You can't use Time Machine to transfer data from one Mac to another. It is designed to restore data that is backed up from the same Mac. Migration Assistant is used to transfer data from one Mac to another. Be sure to first read the instructions and then carefully follow them.

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Answer 2

silver_mica Author

Level 2

293 points

Oct 31, 2023 10:21 PM in response to Ronasara

Apparently what you said isn't 100% true - because I just used Time Machine to transfer data from Computer A to Computer B (without ever using Migration Assistant). This is something I've done for many years. Maybe the newer macOS versions don't allow this? I'm using Monterey. Or, maybe it was because both machines used the same Apple ID. In my original post the two machines used two different Apple IDs - then I reinstalled the operating system on one of the machines so that both had the same Apple ID. After that Time Machine was able to work properly.

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