I have just migrated all my data from my 2015 MacBook Pro to my new Macbook Pro M1. There is a folder on the new Macbook under Locations: Macintosh HD: Users : Deleted Users : steveparry I created an account on the new Macbook prior to the migration with this same username (steveparry) as my old Macbook to simplify the process. This folder 'Deleted Users' holds 3.5Gb of data including a folder called 'Pictures' with the Photos Library.photoslibrary file of1Gb ... Can/Should I just delete this as it appears to be what's stored in iCloud? I stopped using iCloud to store anything after I approached the 5Gb limit. I then used Google drive as it is free up to 15Gb.
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After Migration to new Macbook folder appears
- Thread starter tinman1
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How did you migrate your data? Did you use the Migration Assistant? If you did and had already created an account on the new M1, that means you now have two accounts with the same user name on the M1. Don't delete anything if that is true.
If you didn't use the Migration Assistant, then go ahead with caution. Just make sure you have a backup before deleting anything. And double check that you only have one user account.
If you didn't use the Migration Assistant, then go ahead with caution. Just make sure you have a backup before deleting anything. And double check that you only have one user account.
I DID use Migration Assistant. i remembered somewhere like Macworld advising this method as being useful. I am the only admin user - shown as steveparry - on this M1 MacBook. When I open my old MacBook exactly the same user (steveparry) is admin on it. And I am using the same Apple ID on both.
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Okay, just make sure you don't have two accounts active on your new M1. Usually, when invoking the Migration Assistant, it's best to not create an account on the new Mac as that causes duplication. The MA moves everything over including all your account info which is why it's not necessary to create a new account.
But, if you're sure that everything is okay, press on.
But, if you're sure that everything is okay, press on.
This is the kind of problem folks run into when they don't take the proper steps (in order) when migrating from and old Mac to a new one.
That is... they end up with TWO user accounts with stuff scattered all around.
The OP says "I did use migration assistant".
Well, that's NOT the way to do it, if you've already set up a new account.
It doesn't matter if your two accounts "have the same name" -- they ARE NOT "the same" as seen by the Mac OS. They are two DIFFERENT accounts/identities.
The right way:
You have your backup ready THE VERY FIRST TIME YOU BOOT the new Mac.
Then connect it, and let SETUP assistant (NOT "migration" assistant) do the migration for you.
This way, you get ONLY ONE account with your username, and all your stuff goes with it.
Now, you have "some sorting out to do".
And you're going to have to overcome permissions and ownership problems as well.
That is... they end up with TWO user accounts with stuff scattered all around.
The OP says "I did use migration assistant".
Well, that's NOT the way to do it, if you've already set up a new account.
It doesn't matter if your two accounts "have the same name" -- they ARE NOT "the same" as seen by the Mac OS. They are two DIFFERENT accounts/identities.
The right way:
You have your backup ready THE VERY FIRST TIME YOU BOOT the new Mac.
Then connect it, and let SETUP assistant (NOT "migration" assistant) do the migration for you.
This way, you get ONLY ONE account with your username, and all your stuff goes with it.
Now, you have "some sorting out to do".
And you're going to have to overcome permissions and ownership problems as well.
That is where you went wrong. Make a new admin account now and call it test or whatever. Login to that account and delete all the other accounts and their data.
Now while still logged in to the test account, run Migration Assistant to import your account and data from the other Mac. Then reboot into your steveparry account that got imported. Then delete the test account and its data.