I'm getting used to my new M3 iMac, replacing a 2014 27" unit.
How do I choose a bootable backup? I used to restart and hold the option key down and the machine would list all the bootable disks available.
Now, running Sonoma, I don't have that option. Is it located somewhere else? Are bootable backups not a 'thing' anymore?
Thanks, Bob.
iMac 27″, macOS 11.7
Bob Covell wrote:
So, where is that option going forward with Sonoma?
How to choose the Startup Disk with Apple silicon Macs is explained on the link that was posted.
Change your startup disk once
1. Shut down your Mac, then do one of the following:
* On a Mac with Apple silicon: Press and hold the power button until “Loading startup options” appears.
* If you’re using a Mac mini, wait for the system indicator light to turn amber.
When you see the available startup disks, select one, then click the Continue button (on a Mac with Apple silicon) Mac computers).
The next time you restart your computer, it starts up from the disk you selected.
Bob Covell wrote:
So, where is that option going forward with Sonoma?
How to choose the Startup Disk with Apple silicon Macs is explained on the link that was posted.
Change your startup disk once
1. Shut down your Mac, then do one of the following:
* On a Mac with Apple silicon: Press and hold the power button until “Loading startup options” appears.
* If you’re using a Mac mini, wait for the system indicator light to turn amber.
When you see the available startup disks, select one, then click the Continue button (on a Mac with Apple silicon) Mac computers).
The next time you restart your computer, it starts up from the disk you selected.
Even if you are able to create a bootable macOS backup using third party software or by installing macOS to an external drive & migrating or syncing content between them may not be of much use. If anything happens to the "boot" files or "recovery" files stored on the internal SSD, then you won't be able to boot to the external drive.
For a perfect example.....several Macs in my organization became unbootable after a macOS 13.6.1 update went bad due to a compatibility issue between the older unchanged recovery mode files and the new system firmware. Even recovery mode was not possible as an option. This is just one example. Also, everything on the 2018+ Macs involves being able to authenticate to a valid admin user account from the internal SSD, so if anything corrupts the security enclave chip or affects the information on the internal SSD, can cause this to fail. Plus, Apple Silicon Macs now have an "Ownership" feature which complicates matters even more.
Your best option is to make sure to have frequent and regular backups using whatever method works best for you. At least one backup should be to local media which you control. iCloud and most other cloud based file syncing services are not backups, although there are some third party companies which provide true cloud based backups, but this should not be your only backup option since you are not in control of those backups and in many cases restoring from the cloud can be a slow & painful process.
This explains, from the macOS Sonoma User Guide:
Change your Mac startup disk - Apple Support
UPDATE: P. Phillips’ response below is absolutely correct. My post suggests how to access a startup disk, which is exactly what you did formerly with your Option key. You did not access a bootable backup - ever.
sberman wrote:
This explains, from the macOS Sonoma User Guide:
Change your Mac startup disk - Apple Support
+1
TM Backups are Not Bootable and not contain a Full and Complete Version of the Operating System
It Does contain your User Account ( Home Folder ) and all that is in that specific Folder
The Operating System is housed in a Sealed ( Encrypted ) and Read Only Snap Shot ( Volume ) that can not be opened by the User ( you are me )
That is Apple Design
sberman wrote:
UPDATE: P. Phillips’ response below is absolutely correct. My post suggests how to access a startup disk, which is exactly what you did formerly with your Option key. You did not access a bootable backup - ever.
Not really "absolutely correct". By definition you can choose a bootable backup. Otherwise known as a "clone". I do it all the time with Ventura and Sonoma clones.
User wrote " This was great for when the hard drive fails "
Be away that when the Apple Silicon Computers " hard drive fails " - the Tried and Tested Clone will not save the day.
These machines must have a functional Internal Drive even if booting to the Cloned Drive
You're welcome. Glad to help.
HWTech wrote:
If anything happens to the "boot" files or "recovery" files stored on the internal SSD, then you won't be able to boot to the external drive.
Not sure I understand your comment. If that happens you won't be able to boot from the external or internal drive.
Let me elaborate-With my old iMac I used Super Duper to create a bootable clone. By holding down the Option key when I restarted, the Super Duper clone showed up as an option to boot the machine.
This was great for when the hard drive fails or when you want to use to clone on a new iMac, which is what I did.
So, where is that option going forward with Sonoma?
Thanks for the replies, Bob.
dialabrain-
Bingo! That's the information I was looking for. I gave it a try and got my options for startup disks, including my Super Duper clone and my recent Time Machine backup.
So, thank you for following through with this thread and getting me the answer.
Bob.
dialabrain wrote:
HWTech wrote:
If anything happens to the "boot" files or "recovery" files stored on the internal SSD, then you won't be able to boot to the external drive.
Not sure I understand your comment. If that happens you won't be able to boot from the external or internal drive.
Exactly my point. I was trying to educate the OP that bootable external drives in general are nearly worthless these days.
HWTech wrote:
Exactly my point. I was trying to educate the OP that bootable external drives in general are nearly worthless these days.
I guess you need to educate me as well.
How to choose bootable backup?
