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migrate instructions

I am trying to migrate through a backup disk because I cannot physically connect the two computers. The instructions for "Time Machine or other disk" make n sense at all because they presume that the two computers are physically connected. How do I first migrate to a disk from a source and then migrate from the disk to a target? Thank you.

Posted on Mar 29, 2014 6:48 AM

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4 replies

Mar 29, 2014 7:18 AM in response to jeffreyfromtas

I don't understand the difference between time machine backups and migration assistant. If I am working through a disk, it is as simple as doing a backup from the source computer using time machine to the backup disk and then doing a restore on the target computer using time maching after it is connected to the backup disk? This would not involve using migration assistant at all? Thank you!

Mar 29, 2014 8:37 AM in response to asc.infinity

The easiest way might be to make a bootable clone of the source drive to a USB stick or an external drive. Then hook the target computer to the USB/External and boot from the clone. Use Disk Utility to run Repair Disk and Repair Permissions. You can the use Disk Utility/Restore using the clone as the source and the target hard drive as the place copied to. This will erase the drive and copy the files to it.


Clone - Carbon Copy Cloner (Often recommended as it has more features than some others)


Clone – Data Backup


Clone – Deja Vu

Clone - SuperDuper


Clone - Synk


Clone Software – 6 Applications Tested

Mar 30, 2014 3:46 AM in response to Eric Root

I advise against Eric's suggestion unless you are certain the systems are of the same model. The operating system build installed on the source computer may not be suitable for the target computer - for example, version 10.6.8 for a Macbook isn't the same thing as version 10.6.8 for an iMac. Builds may also vary between different models of iMacs/Macbooks/etc. Problems may vary from "slight" to "computer doesn't boot anymore and you have to reinstall everything".


For the same reason, attempting to restore a full Time Machine backup onto the target computer may end up with the same results. Migration Assistant, of course, avoids this issue for you.


The basic recommended process is to:


  1. Make a full Time Machine backup of the source computer onto your USB hard drive: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427
  2. Attach the backup drive to the target computer, then run Migration Assistant on that system.
  3. Tell it to migrate "from" a "Time Machine backup or other disk". The following page should show you the backup's icon, labeled after the drive of the computer it was taken from. Continuing past that should finally ask what sort of data you want to bring across before getting on with the job.


Once the migration is complete, bear in mind that any user data copied across will NOT be located in the account you're already logged in to. You'll need to use the Apple menu to log out, which'll then allow you to log into one of the migrated accounts.

migrate instructions

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