iMac data transfer to new iMac / newer OS

[ADrunkenMarcus]

I'm still on an intel iMac (27" 2019) which is running well and on Sequoia. It's got lots of memory and hard disk space and does all I need it to. Like many, I've given up on a new 27" all-in-one machine coming down the pipeline, but my intention is to keep it going until late 2026 or 2027, when I'll probably need / want to upgrade (potentially a Studio).

Last time I transferred all my data to my new machine using the 'Time Machine Backup'. My (silly?) question is if there are any likely to be any issues transferring from a machine running Sequoia to a machine running the latest OS, which might be 2-3 versions newer.

I believe you can transfer data from an older OS to a newer OS but not the other way around.

Thanks.

 

[galad]

No, I transferred the data from a 2012 MacBook running macOS 10.15 to a new M4 Mac mini running macOS 15 two months ago, and the data was transferred properly. Older macOS versions are not a problem.

Either use a backup or connect the two computers directly or to the same network.

 

[Fishrrman]

Are you still maintaining a time machine backup?

If so, "when the time comes", just use your backup like you did last time.

The process still works.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Version change won't be as much of an issue as 3rd party apps at that point... your Intel Mac might have apps that won't have a prayer of running on Apple Silicon especially after a couple more versions; Rosetta 2 is being phased out over the next couple of years. So you'll have some app new installations you'll have to do but that won't affect the Migration Assistant. The data will still migrate, just in some cases incompatible apps will need new installation of updated versions.

 

[ADrunkenMarcus]

Thanks Galad, thanks Fishrrman!

Not being a 'techie' and understanding how it all works, it's hard for me to visualise the process but if my data can all transfer from an older OS to a newer version several years ahead of it then all is good. Last time I think my machines were on the same OS so I was a bit worried.

Fishrrman, I'm maintaining multiple Time Machine backups! There's always a 'current' one within the past week and, of course, I'd use a just-completed one for transfer to a new machine.

FreakinEurekan, our posts almost crossed as I was submitting this. I have been looking at my apps and I don't foresee any significant issues at this point but will keep an eye!