I have a base M2 Mac Mini and I have apps installed on an external SSD (1 tb) - I want to move to a 4 Tb ssd and want to clone using CCC (carbon copy cloner) - Will my applications still work if I remove my 1TB SSD ? Asking because, If I have references to the location in my system, when I change the SSD, how will the system know to look for files in my new SSD (as against using the app related files in my Old SSD)
Mac mini, macOS 13.4
Although apps are usually stored in the Applications folder, they don't have to be.
You can put copies of most apps anywhere on any SSD or HDD (connected to your computer) and they should open normally when you double-click them.
You can check for yourself by copying a few apps to another drive and try using them.
This was the first thing that came up . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvdOoeUbdQo
. . . . and this . . .
Open Logic Pro, then choose Logic Pro > Sound Library > Relocate Sound Library, or MainStage > Sound Library > Relocate Sound Library. In the window, select the drive where you want to store the Sound Library, then click Relocate. A notification will be displayed when the Sound Library has been moved.
It's not typical that your computer would store those type files on an external hard drive unless the applications themselves requested this. Meaning you usually can adjust those settings using the Settings... area of the individual apps. Any symlinks that you created to files that are on different volumes won't work unless it has identical name and file hierarchy to the file.
Thanks for the quick reply. I currently use apps installed in the external SSD (to name a few - Firefox, Logic) and they work well.
My query was with regards to about apps that are installed in the external SSD but have "supporting files" in the local SSD (or vice versa) - (for eg: EZ Drummer - is installed in the local SSD, but the supporting files are stored in the external ssd) - was wondering, when I change the external SSD, wont the storage location reference change ?
You will almost certainly have to re-allocate those Logic files. I did it earlier this year but I can't remember the exact process.
Maybe someone on this forum can help but if not you could do an internet search or ask on the Logic forum.
You are right - during initial install, I opted to store the additional files on the external SSD to save space - This is what I was wondering if cloning and replacing the disk would take care of (I was planning to rename the new disk as the same of the old disk) so file references & hierarchy remains the same - However, I don't know how some individual apps may have stored the links (symlinks or otherwise) -
Thanks for the prompy and thorough replies @LatriciaP and @Ian R. Brown - very helpful.
For those that might hit into this problem - I am running the clone task now - will update if I face any difficulties or it worked well.
I have used CCC (and the other one) but prefer to setup a new drive or computer with apps etc. manually. That way I have full control over what is happening but it does take longer. I don't do it in one go . . . I just install the essential apps etc. and over the next few days or weeks add things as and when necessary.
I don't know whether you have the time to do that . . . luckily I am retired so have plenty of time and no deadlines to meet.
Thanks for the quick reply and clarification - I guess i have to manually "fix" all the apps I have installed.
Hopefully, this doesn't have any downstream impacts..
Cloning External SSD
