Moving User Files Between Different Accounts

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Level 2

387 points

Moving User Files Between Different Accounts

I have an account (actually it's the admin account) that has been associated to an Apple ID (icloud.com). I want to move all the files associated with that accout to a new account, with a new Apple ID. (helping a family member who has lots of Apple ID issues) account

Will Migration Assistant allow that?

Moving all the user data from one account to another account?

These accounts are on the same iMac.

Or can I restore the files (from one account to the other) using restore from Time Machine?

Or, is there another (easy) way to do this?

Short of simply dragging and dropping files.

Taking care of any and all file permissions.

Thanks.

Posted on Dec 12, 2017 5:30 AM

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Answer 1

1 Open Loop Author

Level 2

387 points

Dec 13, 2017 7:56 AM in response to Eric Root

Eric,

The cnet article is from 2009, do you know if those instructions still hold for the current OS's? (not sure which OS is on the iMac I need to move the user files)

Sierra?

El Capitan?

Yosemite?

If I understand the cnet article, you delete the old user account. (scary)

However, you choose to keep the user files.

Assuming there is enough disk space, it sounds like the Save the home folder in a disk image is the best option.

At that point, it sounds like you just drag and drop files. Correct?

Is there no option to use something like Apple's Migration Assitant, or ...

Restore user files from a Time Machine backup?

Or do these two options have permission issues preventing them from working?

Thanks.

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Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

684,027 points

Dec 12, 2017 8:00 AM in response to 1 Open Loop

User Account - Duplicate

User Account – Migrate Data

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

684,027 points

Dec 13, 2017 8:25 AM in response to 1 Open Loop

You are welcome. After rereading your question, I think the first link would be better for what you want to do. It uses Time Machine/Migration Assistant.

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