Best approach to move to a new Mac and start from scratch

[funkahdafi]

Hi guys,

I have kept upgrading my existing macOS installation for over 10 years now. Basically moved from one Mac to another, always using the same installation (restored TimeMachine to new Macs when I needed to move). Now that I am moving from an Intel Mac over to a M1 Mac, I figure it's time to start from scratch. After 10+ years, my installation has amassed tons of oprphaned config files, tons of files I don't even remember what they were, etc. - I want a clean slate.

That being said, I don't want to lose the data and settings of the apps I actually use.

What would be the best approach to do this? Set up the new Mac, install the apps I need, and then selectively restore settings and data from the Library folder on the TimeMachine backup? Is this even possible?

Thanks

 

[riley_undefined]

ello !
so , personally , i haven't had to go through migrating data (thankfully.)
the most I've made is a time machine backup in case i ever do need it.
one thing i'd recommend doing is making sure the files you do want (important things like new pdfs , records , current projects , anything you will still need going forward) is on icloud or google drive. that way you can put those important files back on your new machine without losing anything.
as for the apps , i'd recommend just starting from scratch. make a list of all the apps you know you will want on the new machine , and install those from the direct sources. i don't know if you've ever ventured into the contents of a .app file before , but most of those files contained inside are just info the app needs to run and be verified. the other files , like preferences , are stored somewhere else (probably in the root of the filesystem - applicationsupport i'd assume). trying to get to all of those would be difficult. i'd suggest going through the apps settings and trying to find an "export preferences" button or something similar. make a backup of all of those ones you could save and go through manually and import them again.
i know this can be a difficult process , but if you have lots of preferences , like keyboard shortcuts , this is your best move. because you are switching architecture , you can't just copy a library folder or a whole app contents folder over to a new system. there will be extra things you would need to add/take away that would end up breaking your system. overall , just make sure you have a backup of important files and make lots of lists of apps and system settings you want to keep/restore. even if you can't automatically restore most of those , going through and changing them manually is better than just not having them to begin with. in this process , lists will be your best friend for keeping all your data you can't transfer easily accessible and easy to switch to.
hope you have a great experience with your new mac and the migration goes just as planned.
- riley !!

 

[drewaz]

ello !
so , personally , i haven't had to go through migrating data (thankfully.)
the most I've made is a time machine backup in case i ever do need it.
one thing i'd recommend doing is making sure the files you do want (important things like new pdfs , records , current projects , anything you will still need going forward) is on icloud or google drive. that way you can put those important files back on your new machine without losing anything.
as for the apps , i'd recommend just starting from scratch. make a list of all the apps you know you will want on the new machine , and install those from the direct sources. i don't know if you've ever ventured into the contents of a .app file before , but most of those files contained inside are just info the app needs to run and be verified. the other files , like preferences , are stored somewhere else (probably in the root of the filesystem - applicationsupport i'd assume). trying to get to all of those would be difficult. i'd suggest going through the apps settings and trying to find an "export preferences" button or something similar. make a backup of all of those ones you could save and go through manually and import them again.
i know this can be a difficult process , but if you have lots of preferences , like keyboard shortcuts , this is your best move. because you are switching architecture , you can't just copy a library folder or a whole app contents folder over to a new system. there will be extra things you would need to add/take away that would end up breaking your system. overall , just make sure you have a backup of important files and make lots of lists of apps and system settings you want to keep/restore. even if you can't automatically restore most of those , going through and changing them manually is better than just not having them to begin with. in this process , lists will be your best friend for keeping all your data you can't transfer easily accessible and easy to switch to.
hope you have a great experience with your new mac and the migration goes just as planned.
- riley !!

what's the best way to move the contents of Mail over to a new 'from scratch' machine?

 

[riley_undefined]

what's the best way to move the contents of Mail over to a new 'from scratch' machine?

i'd suggest just making sure you link the emails you use with mail to the new mac. you can do that through system preferences and they should show up as inboxes in the mail app.

 

[benwiggy]

The dangers of CRUFT are overstated. Just use the Migration Assistant.

Copy over your data and settings, and then you can install apps manually, which will also let you make sure that you've got the latest version (Universal Binary), and that you really need it.

If you're using IMAP servers, then email will just come over when you set up the account.

 

[riley_undefined]

The dangers of CRUFT are overstated. Just use the Migration Assistant.

Copy over your data and settings, and then you can install apps manually, which will also let you make sure that you've got the latest version (Universal Binary), and that you really need it.

If you're using IMAP servers, then email will just come over when you set up the account.

yup - exactly. the universal binary is something you need and not everything has that yet so getting the right version is pretty important. good luck on the switch !!

 

[funkahdafi]

Thanks guys. I am not assuming any dangers in CRUFT I just want to clean up.