How to restore from Time Machine backup without losing old files on a new MacBook Pro?

markfromnarrabeen wrote:

I have just got my MacPro back with new boards so it looks like a new machine.

I want to restore from my Time Machine backup and Time Machine asks me to select a disk for Time Machine to use.

Can you explain that a bit? When you connect the drive, is it asking if you wish to set it up for Time Machine? You should not allow that.

I have a disk that my pre broken Mac Pro used and want to add that to restore from.

You don’t add a drive to Time Machine for restoring. You just run Migration Assistant and select the backup set from that drive.

What I am afraid of is selecting the attached disk and Time Machine wiping out my old Time Machine files to start afresh rather than just adding to them but importantly then also allowing me to chose the folder I want to back up from.

Do you wish to restore your entire user account or do you wish to only restore some things? Migration will restore the entire user account.

If you have already created a new user account with the same name as your old one, there will be problems with Migration as it restores the entire account and can’t do so if the same user account already exists. I think it may ask to rename one of them. The easy way to Migrate is from the Startup Assistant that runs when you first power on the Mac.

Can someone confirm that I won't lose the old Time Machine files. (Claude Ai says it fine but they aren't always right)

That all depends on how you respond to the questions you see when you connect the drive as I noted above.

Hi,

To restore from a Time Machine backup on a new MacBook Pro without losing existing files, use Migration Assistant to select specific files or folders, rather than restoring the entire system. This allows you to choose which items to transfer from the backup, preventing overwriting your new Mac's data. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. 1. Prepare your new MacBook Pro:
2. Ensure it's set up with the desired operating system and any essential software installed. 
3. 2. Launch Migration Assistant:
4. Open Migration Assistant on your new MacBook Pro. 
5. 3. Choose "Transfer from a Time Machine backup":
6. Select this option when Migration Assistant asks where you want to transfer data from. 
7. 4. Select your Time Machine backup:
8. Browse through your Time Machine backups and choose the one you want to restore from. 
9. 5. Choose what to transfer:
10. Migration Assistant will present you with a list of items from the backup. You can select specific files, folders, or even entire user accounts to transfer. 
11. 6. Review and complete the transfer:
12. Before clicking "Continue," carefully review what you've chosen to transfer. Once you're happy, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the transfer. 

By using Migration Assistant and carefully selecting the specific items you want to restore, you can ensure that your new MacBook Pro inherits only the desired data from the Time Machine backup, without overwriting any existing files. 

Below is predicated on the user byline " MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 15.4 "

The computer would be an Apple Silicon Computer

Use macOS Recovery on a Mac with Apple silicon

• Time Machine System Restore: Restore your data from a Time Machine backup. In the Recovery app, select “Restore from Time Machine,” then click Continue. To return to the Recovery app, choose Time Machine System Restore > Quit Time Machine System Restore. See Use Time Machine to restore your files.

OP wrote " Can someone confirm that I won't lose the old Time Machine files "

Having never experienced a Logicboard replacement

I am pretty sure, not 100% absolute certain

The TM Backups would not be lost provided the Restore is done from and within the Recovery App