After replacing HDD with SSD can I copy data with Time Machine?

[fefil9]

I’ve taken my MBP mid 2012 to replace the drive with SSD, the technician asked if I wanted also data transfer, I declined as I use time machine as backup. Now I’m worried that I’m going to lose all my data, including important files that were on desktop, in case the drive is replaced before I contact him.

Can anyone, please, be kind enough to enlighten me: Is it possible and easy to transfer my Time Machine backup (which is a WD My Passport Ultra) to the new SSD?
I thought I only need to plug in My Passport and I’d end up with a clone drive. But reading online it all seems very complicated as not I’m tech savvy.

Thank you!!

 

[AustinIllini]

I’ve taken my MBP mid 2012 to replace the drive with SSD, the technician asked if I wanted also data transfer, I declined as I use time machine as backup. Now I’m worried that I’m going to lose all my data, including important files that were on desktop, in case the drive is replaced before I contact him.

Can anyone, please, be kind enough to enlighten me: Is it possible and easy to transfer my Time Machine backup (which is a WD My Passport Ultra) to the new SSD?
I thought I only need to plug in My Passport and I’d end up with a clone drive. But reading online it all seems very complicated as not I’m tech savvy.

Thank you!!

I am fairly certain this is possible.

 

[MacUser2525]

I’ve taken my MBP mid 2012 to replace the drive with SSD, the technician asked if I wanted also data transfer, I declined as I use time machine as backup. Now I’m worried that I’m going to lose all my data, including important files that were on desktop, in case the drive is replaced before I contact him.

Can anyone, please, be kind enough to enlighten me: Is it possible and easy to transfer my Time Machine backup (which is a WD My Passport Ultra) to the new SSD?
I thought I only need to plug in My Passport and I’d end up with a clone drive. But reading online it all seems very complicated as not I’m tech savvy.

Thank you!!

It is a simple matter to do. Firstly unless you throw away the old hard drive all the information is present on it. The easiest way to do what you want is to take your old drive connect it with an external enclosure to boot from it then use something like carbon copy cloner or superduper to clone the HDD to the internal SSD. You can also restore from a time machine backup while in the recovery mode or boot into the new drive and use the migration assistant with the old drive or possibly the time machine drive connected to transfer the files this way. But yes get in touch with the tech and have him do it for you.

 

[Honza1]

There are few ways to solve this issue, but assuming TM disk is working, you have all your data available. Some methods are more complicated than others. Also depends on what happened with the SSD. Here are few scenarios:
1. SSD has system installed on it. I would expect this to be done by technician.
In this case log into the computer, connect your time machine and during setting up your computer you should be offered to Migrate your data. Pick migrate from time machine disk and let it run. Potentially long time (last time it took me overnight). Move all what you need - account with data, applications, etc. This is least painful method I have ever seen and usually works really well.

If someone already setup account for you, Migration Assistant.app is in Applications/Utilities folder and you can run it any time. It will overwrite existing setup in case of conflict, run Migration assistant first before setting up anything else.

2. SSD has no system on it (what did you pay technician for???).
In this case you need to boot on some system:
a. on your old hard drive which technician returned to you using some USB enclosure - if you have enclosure... In this case you can clone old drive back using Carbon Copy Cloner or Disk Duper. Both are free to use for limited time, so free for your needs.
b. Internet recovery. Depend on age of your system if that would work. And then reinstall system from Internet recovery and clone TM disk back as in case 1. This will install original OSX version which computer came with, so this is not ideal...
c. Bootable USB installer which you would have to get or create. Then install the system and migrate system back as in case 1.

Boot options are combination of keys which you hold during boot - Google Apple shortcuts for booting computer. Apple has nice page with explanations.

 

[fefil9]

@Honza1 Thank you very much, what I wanted was a clone of the HD but I fear I won’t be able to do it myself.The MBP is mid 2012, the technician is going to install High Sierra replacing Yosemite. Not sure how to restore from time machine without Yosemite getting installed again. Also I read time machine does not recover all files..Is that true? I have desktop files I don’t want to lose. Thanks again😊
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It is a simple matter to do. Firstly unless you throw away the old hard drive all the information is present on it. The easiest way to do what you want is to take your old drive connect it with an external enclosure to boot from it then use something like carbon copy cloner or superduper to clone the HDD to the internal SSD. You can also restore from a time machine backup while in the recovery mode or boot into the new drive and use the migration assistant with the old drive or possibly the time machine drive connected to transfer the files this way. But yes get in touch with the tech and have him do it for you.

Than you!

 

[Fishrrman]

You no longer have the MacBook?
Can you get in touch with the repair place?

What you should ask/request is that they DO "transfer your data".
Or, at least put a clean copy of the OS onto it (you should tell them WHICH version of the OS you want).

If it comes back to you with a brand-new copy of the OS, do this:
DO NOT PRESS THE POWER ON BUTTON UNTIL YOU DO THIS!
1. Have your TM backup ready
2. BEFORE you press the power on button, connect the backup.
3. Press the power on button and begin setup
4. At the appropriate moment, setup assistant will ask if you wish to migrate data from another drive. YES, you want to do this.
5. "Aim" setup assistant at the TM backup. Give it time to "digest" everything, BE PATIENT. You don't get any feedback while this is happening.
6. Setup assistant will present you with a list of stuff to migrate. I suggest you just "accept it all".
7. Give setup assistant time to do its thing. Again, BE PATIENT.
8. When done, you should see the login screen, so log in and look around. It should look pretty much as it did before the drive swap.
10. Be sure to check the startup disk preference pane, and set the NEW SSD as the boot drive.

 

[fefil9]

@Fishrrman I contacted him, he‘ll transfer the data.. I wanted a clone disk, exactly like the old HD, but he said programs couldn’t be transferred..I don’t know why🤔

Altogether I spent £300, hope the macbook lasts long enough to make it worthwhile.
Thank you!

 

[Fishrrman]

"he said programs couldn’t be transferred..I don’t know why"

This doesn't make sense.
I've never had a problem with applications not "cloning over" easily.
This is "child's play" with CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper.

 

[fefil9]

@Fishrrman Thats what I thought, now I’m going to get my old drive and try to do to it with Carbon Copy, I’m sure its going to be child’s play for me.. I find it a bit scary, if something goes wrong.
So i have to wipe out the SSD he installed and start again from the old HD 😟

 

[MacUser2525]

@Fishrrman Thats what I thought, now I’m going to get my old drive and try to do to it with Carbon Copy, I’m sure its going to be child’s play for me.. I find it a bit scary, if something goes wrong.
So i have to wipe out the SSD he installed and start again from the old HD 😟

Before you waste all the time and effort. Use the migration assistant to transfer the user and all the programs to the new SSD. That is what it is designed for, it works well, it has never failed me in doing so.