Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT
Hi,
My mid2012 MacBook HDD used only 138GB out of 500GB.
I would like to change a new 250GB SSD that I already have.
Is there any way to do it?
I was thinking of partition the HDD to 250GB and then clone that partition to the new SSD? Is this possible?
Thank you.
MacBook, iOS 10.3.2
A clone only requires the same size as the total file size you wish to clone, so if you have 138 GB, then a 250 GB SSD is plenty (with room for future file size growth). Make sure you format the SSD correctly (Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and GUID partition scheme so it is bootable). Then get a temporary external enclosure, install the SSD in it, connect it to your Mac and clone your hard drive.
Here are some examples of enclosures (look at the USB 3's and make sure they're ok with SSDs):
What I mean is CCC will only back up your data and does not care about the size of the partitions.
As long as your drive has enough space for the data it is okay.
Don't forget to back up the recovery partition too. CCC will ask you at the end of the clone if you want to create a recovery partition too.
The reason this will work fine is that the Utilities mentioned are capable of File-by-file copy, so the result is very close to the same size as the original. (only used blocks are copied).
Only a Utility that blindly (but quickly!) copies block-for-block will require a destination as large as the original. It copies ALL the blocks without regard for whether they are empty or full.
Thanks for the clarification and yes, I know CCC will offer to create/back up a recovery partition - I always do that, but, it is somewhat redundant: if you are going to clone back your system, you won't need to use recovery. You only need that if you're not going to clone it back.
If you use only 138GB out of 500GB, you can make clone drive on 250GB SSD with Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper! without partition changed.
Just clone away.
Please note, there are no Mid 2012 MacBooks, so if you're sure about the date part, you must have either MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro
Carbon Copy cloner app will handel all the resizing for you By default.
Just get a USB adapter for your SSD.
hookup to your USB port on your MacBook and run Cabon copy clones app.
Carbon Copy cloner app will handel all the resizing for you By default.
I've used CCC for years and have never heard of that. Please post a link to the website/instructions/information.
Yes, it is a Macbook Pro.
Thanks everyone for the reply. Will start the process this weekend.
Clone HDD to a smaller SSD
