How to move Mac Apps and System data to a larger SSD without losing User folders

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How to move Mac Apps and System data to a larger SSD without losing User folders

Hello, I have a Mac with the system, library and apps on a 128 GB Apple SSD (blade?) and the user folders on a separate internal SSD (Samsung SSD 840 PRO Series, 512 GB). The user folders are pointed at there by the user and groups settings in system settings. Now I realized that I am running out of space on the 128 GB drive (about 25 GB left) and I want to move that content to the 512 GB drive but keep the user folders there, as they are and for continued use (there would in that way still be about 140 GB left on it after putting the system, library and apps there too) - how do I solve this the best way?

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Posted on Mar 12, 2024 5:31 AM

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Answer 1

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Member_here Author

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Mar 14, 2024 2:41 AM in response to BDAqua

OK, thanks - what I think I will do then is to install Mac OS on the 512 disk (after I have made a backup of everything) and make a temporary user account. Then I will use Migration assistant to put everything from the 128 disk (Library, Apps, System) on the 512 disk (by that I won't have to reinstall a lot more). I will also try migrate the user folders at the same time with Migration assistant, if it works but I might run into “This user's home is relocated and will not be copied” since they are relocated. In that case I will manually put the user folders back and set their location in Users and groups-settings. When I see that it works I will delete the temporary account.

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Answer 2

BDAqua

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Mar 13, 2024 1:06 AM in response to Member_here

OK, the easiest would be to Install Monterey to the new drive, You'll have two partitions, Mac HD & Mac HD - Data.

On 1st boot of the new install, use Setup assistant.. wait, let me ponder this a bit...

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Answer 3

BDAqua

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Mar 13, 2024 6:58 AM in response to Member_here

There are 2 Apps folders, one for Apple Apps & one for User's Apps, a reinstall should give you all new Apple Apps, User's Apple should come across with the User's folder, as will user's Library & User's Prefs.

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Answer 4

Member_here Author

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Mar 12, 2024 12:18 PM in response to BDAqua

Thanks, but I looked that up. Either the disk I have the user folders on will be deleted if I make it bootable or if I keep the user folders it can not be bootable. So it seems it is not the solution unfortunately.

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Answer 5

BDAqua

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Mar 12, 2024 12:52 PM in response to Member_here

Oh so you want to get an OS on the Disk that has your User folder on it... sorry I didn't catch that.

You'll need another external drive to first Install an OS to, I'd get a bigger one, like 1 TB to keep both on.

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Answer 6

BDAqua

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Mar 13, 2024 2:52 AM in response to Member_here

Trouble is I don't have enough spare drives to test this out, but I think after installing you'd set the Users folder to that other drive that has it now, then reverse set the Users folder back to the new Install.

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