Copy-paste data to my new computer using an external drive

[AMSOS]

I am trying to transfer my data from my old 2017 Air (running Mojave) to my new M1 Air (Ventura). It's already backed up on Time Machine on an external drive.

I had made only a selective backup of my old computer, so that only my files were saved. I ignored applications, and other system settings. Now, I see that the Library has been backed up, and there is no way I can deselect it. I feel restoring the Library from my old to the new machine will likely result in bugs, as I've already installed applications afresh.

Additionally, while checking out migration assistant I notice that there is a folder marked other files. It's strange that I can't see what these files are. Again, I am pretty sure I don't want to carry these over to my new machine. Also, instead of using Time Machine, I plan to simply copy and paste by going into the folder structures embedded in Time Machine backups.

That means I now want to transfer using my external without using the assistant. I think simply copy and pasting the files to my new computer should be fine, but there will likely be permission issues later on.

Can you suggest how I can do this reliably? A web link or two to guide me through the process will be quite helpful.

Is there a chance that at a later stage I may loose edit access to my Word files that I going to carry over from the old computer? I still have my old machine with me at the moment, so it'll be quite helpful if you can suggest what I can do now to prevent any issues happening in the future.

Many thanks!

 

[DarkPremiumCho]

I have been doing the manual copy method many times, between different Macs/users/macOS versions.

No problems to me when dealing with files in my home directory.

I would avoid copying applications from App Store, from .pkg installers, from iCloud, from other cloud/sync platform, and of course anything required the admin password when I pasting/installing them.

Since you have an M1 machine, your old applications that from .dmg/.zip files should also be avoided. Instead, get those apps from their websites again in case of the developer has released an Apple Silicon version.

 

[appltech]

Hi
No, it won't.
If you skipped Applications (which is basically /Applications) -- they will not be present.
But could ones that were installed for your user only (~/Applications)

Anyway, bugs or glitches can occur only from scripted, or console apps (like those (BUT not all of them) that were installed through Homebrew, some libraries or frameworks, system extension, etc.)
If those are not familiar to you -- shouldn't be the problem

There are a few guides over the Internet:

Time Machine Backup

MacKeeper ⭐ Do you want to back up your Mac with Time Machine? ✅ Read our article to learn how to use and set up a Time Machine to create a data copy of your MacBook

mackeeper.com

Backup Mac: How to Backup Your MacBook, Step By Step Guide 2024

Backup your Mac - How to Backup Your Macbook. Types of Mac Backup - Overview of different backup methods. Reasons to Back Up Your Mac. Step By Step Guide 2024.

mackeeper.com

 

[Fishrrman]

What you are trying to do would be BEST DONE from a CLONED backup created with either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper.

WHY?
Because then the external drive is AN EXACT COPY of the old internal drive, AND, it is "mountable right in the finder" as would be any other drive.

Now (once you take care of permissions) you know just where everything is -- because you knew where it was on the old internal drive, right?

You can copy one file, a group of files, folders... you get the idea.

HOW TO AVOID PERMISSIONS PROBLEMS:
a. mount the drive on the dekstop -- DO NOT open it yet.
b. click on the drive icon ONE time to select it
c. summon up the get info box (type command-i)
d. at the bottom of get info, click the lock and enter your password (the one you're using on the NEW Mac)
e. put a check into "ignore ownership on this volume" (sharing and permissions)
f. close get info

Now you can copy almost anything from the backup, and what you copy will "fall under the ownership" of your NEW account on the new Mac.

 

[AMSOS]

I have been doing the manual copy method many times, between different Macs/users/macOS versions.

Good to hear that! That includes apps from the Intel based machines to Apple silicon?
This is my first Apple silicon machine, so I want to make sure I don't end up messing my migration to the new platform.

No problems to me when dealing with files in my home directory.

Not sure if that means you did face issues with other directories, if you had any installed any.
I should point out that my home directories have different names, and the two machines were setup independently of each other.
I mean I booted up the new machine and basically decided on a new name for the new Mac HD partition I am using.

I would avoid copying applications from App Store, from .pkg installers, from iCloud, from other cloud/sync platform, and of course anything required the admin password when I pasting/installing them.

Actually I've always tried (with both phones and computers) to install everything afresh. I feel it always makes for a bug free experience.
For instance, I installed Firefox directly from their website on my new Mac. Even The MS Office installation is directly from the installation file.
Of course, some data is carried over from my iCloud account. I mean I can now see files in the Books app, Safari bookmarks, voice memo recordings etc. I hope all this data carried over via iCloud will be okay! Please let me know if there is something I should watch out for here.

Since you have an M1 machine, your old applications that from .dmg/.zip files should also be avoided. Instead, get those apps from their websites again in case of the developer has released an Apple Silicon version.

Yes, all the applications have been freshly installed.
But that's also why I am confused about using migration assistant with my old Time Machine backup. You see, I backed up the old Library, and now it won't let me deselect the old Library, so I can transfer only my older data files and folders.
It's reassuring to hear that simple copy-pasting should work fine! I know it'll be a bit tedious, but hey, I'll also do housekeeping and clean-up this way
Going by your response I also assume you're not bothered about this issue of the permission and ownership of files and folders?
Thanks!

 

[AMSOS]

What you are trying to do would be BEST DONE from a CLONED backup created with either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper.

WHY?
Because then the external drive is AN EXACT COPY of the old internal drive, AND, it is "mountable right in the finder" as would be any other drive.

Now (once you take care of permissions) you know just where everything is -- because you knew where it was on the old internal drive, right?

You can copy one file, a group of files, folders... you get the idea.

Thanks for these directions. Unless you suggest otherwise, I'd don't mind simply copy-pasting folders and files from my TM backups. I am not so worried about the folder structure as this'll also give me a chance to delete older and unnecessary files. That way I can also clean-up the old data I have lying around for years. I'll only transfer what I really need at this point.

HOW TO AVOID PERMISSIONS PROBLEMS:
a. mount the drive on the dekstop -- DO NOT open it yet.
b. click on the drive icon ONE time to select it
c. summon up the get info box (type command-i)
d. at the bottom of get info, click the lock and enter your password (the one you're using on the NEW Mac)
e. put a check into "ignore ownership on this volume" (sharing and permissions)
f. close get info

Now you can copy almost anything from the backup, and what you copy will "fall under the ownership" of your NEW account on the new Mac.

Thanks for this!
I am just curious. I've already done something similar in that I copied a few test files and folders from my external on to the new machine. But so far I haven't seen any permission or ownership issues. Of course, I didn't know about the steps you outline above. So, how is it that all my files are working fine and I don't have permission issues?

 

[Fishrrman]

"So, how is it that all my files are working fine and I don't have permission issues?"

If they work... they work.
Don't worry about it.

 

[DarkPremiumCho]

That includes apps from the Intel based machines to Apple silicon?

Yes, but not all apps. I only copied apps if it:

1. does not provide Apple Silicon binary
2. was installed from a dmg or a zip file
3. was installed in /Applications or ~/Applications, not in /usr /bin /sbin etc

Gnucash, for example, was one of those apps and it works fine on my Apple Silicon machine. For other apps, I chose to download the Apple Silicon or Universal version, or from the App Store.

Not sure if that means you did face issues with other directories, if you had any installed any.

I did not face issues. I just didn't have much to migrate in other directories. Well I should note that the ~/Library contains settings and caches of almost all of my apps and I didn't copy that one. I just redo the logins/settings of my apps on the new machine, which was not too much of a hassle.

my home directories have different names...decided on a new name for the new Mac HD partition

Username, full name or the partition name?

Different full name (John Appleseed/Jane Appleseed) or partition name (Macintosh HD/Mac HD) won't be an issue.

Username could be tricky as it will be part of your home directory path. This could break something that rely on the path. I always use the same so it was not a problem for me.

I guess things that rely on the relative path (e.g. ~/Downloads/xyz.txt) should continue work for you, while things that rely on the absolute path (e.g. /Users/yourusername/Downloads/xyz.txt) won't work without reconfiguring.

I hope all this data carried over via iCloud will be okay!

Mine did well. If you have enabled iCloud for Desktop and Documents folders, you need to enable again on the new Mac.

it won't let me deselect the old Library

Migrate Assistant, or Apple shall I say, does have certain limitations on user's choice. So I went the manual way.

you're not bothered about this issue of the permission and ownership of files and folders?

I am not. But your costs and results may vary. So keep your backup and old Mac for a while.

 

[AMSOS]

"So, how is it that all my files are working fine and I don't have permission issues?"

If they work... they work.
Don't worry about it.

That means if a file opens properly the firs time, I won't face any ownership issues ever in the future?
So, it won't matter if I give away my old computer?