How can I transfer backups from old time capsule to new one?

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Level 1

4 points

How can I transfer backups from old time capsule to new one?

I've had two time capsules. The newer one I've had since september of 2014.

I've just noticed that I never transferred my old back ups to the new time capsule which goes all the way back to 2011.

How do I transfer the backups from before Sept 2014 without affecting the backups that occurred after?

Also my wife uses the same time machine, will we have to do the transfer using both computers or will all the data for both computers be transferred?

Time capsule-OTHER

Posted on Dec 31, 2015 9:20 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 31, 2015 9:22 AM in response to omsaj

Try Time Machine: How to transfer backups from a current backup drive to a new backup drive - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,990 points

Dec 31, 2015 9:42 AM in response to omsaj

Having done this in the past, personally my opinion would be that it is nowhere near all the time and trouble to try to move backups from one Time Capsule to another.....and losing a good deal of space on your new Time Capsule. If your newer Time Capsule has been backing up files for 18 months......there is almost zero chance that you will ever need to go back further than Sept 2014 to find files on the older Time Capsule.....unless you have very special requirements.

Your call, though.

If you don't really need backups going back more than 18 months, my suggestion would be to hold onto the old Time Capsule for a few more months.....just in case you need to go back and pick up a really old file. When you see that you really don't need all the older backups on the old Time Capsule, you can erase the drive and either sell the product, or keep it handy as a spare drive.

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Answer 3

omsaj Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 31, 2015 10:46 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Thanks for your reply I do need some stuff that is in the old backup... is there a way that you know of to transfer the data from the old time capsule to a regular external drive so that it is easier to access?

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Answer 4

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,990 points

Dec 31, 2015 11:48 AM in response to omsaj

Unfortunately, another example of something that will take a lot more time and trouble than it is worth. Quite complex, and not recommended for most users.

See #4 in this support document:

http://pondini.org/TM/18.html#id21

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