Importing apps from Time Machine to new Air (Big Sur)

[meddyliol]

I am getting one of the new Macbook Air's M1 tomorrow (31st). It comes with the new OS Big Sur. I have Time Machine backups of Catalina and Mojave. Is it possible to get apps from one of those onto the new Air? Or, can I use one of the backups to do a complete install? i.e. removing Big Sur and replacing it with Catalina or Mojave. I would prefer to take apps from the backups to see what Big Sur is like though.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

Brian

 

[LuisN]

I am getting one of the new Macbook Air's M1 tomorrow (31st). It comes with the new OS Big Sur. I have Time Machine backups of Catalina and Mojave. Is it possible to get apps from one of those onto the new Air? Or, can I use one of the backups to do a complete install? i.e. removing Big Sur and replacing it with Catalina or Mojave. I would prefer to take apps from the backups to see what Big Sur is like though.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks

Brian

You CAN migrate your apps and settings using migration assistant.
You CAN'T downgrade to any version of macOS previous to the one that comes installed in your new M1 Mac.
Previous versions of macOS only run in Intel Macs.

 

[meddyliol]

You CAN migrate your apps and settings using migration assistant.
You CAN'T downgrade to any version of macOS previous to the one that comes installed in your new M1 Mac.
Previous versions of macOS only run in Intel Macs.

OK, thanks for that. I wasn't aware that previous versions of macOS only run on Intel. So, I will be stuck with Big Sur. Will either have to migrate or reinstall the required apps.

Thanks again

Brian

 

[ADGrant]

OK, thanks for that. I wasn't aware that previous versions of macOS only run on Intel. So, I will be stuck with Big Sur. Will either have to migrate or reinstall the required apps.

Thanks again

Brian

You should probably just reinstall your apps, preferably the ARM versions.

 

[meddyliol]

Just migrated from Catalina with no problems!