Migrating Mac/Intel to Mac/M1

[donawalt]

Hi All,

I am confused as to how to migrate a Mac/Intel to Mac/M1. I basically run a Mac with one Parallels VM of Windows 10. In the past, moving from one MacBook Pro to another, I just restore from Time Machine backup made with the old Mac and everything works, including the VM in Parallels. I am pretty sure Intel-based Parallels VMs won't work on an M1. I know there is a process to stop using a Parallels license on the old computer before activating it on the new computer.

1) So will restoring a Mac/Intel Time Machine backup to a new Mac/M1 work other than the VM file can't be used?

2) To avoid a fresh install for the Windows VM, can I install Windows 10 in a new M1 VM, then restore a Windows backup I made from Windows 10 running on the Mac/Intel?

Thanks!

 

[ADGrant]

Hi All,

I am confused as to how to migrate a Mac/Intel to Mac/M1. I basically run a Mac with one Parallels VM of Windows 10. In the past, moving from one MacBook Pro to another, I just restore from Time Machine backup made with the old Mac and everything works, including the VM in Parallels. I am pretty sure Intel-based Parallels VMs won't work on an M1. I know there is a process to stop using a Parallels license on the old computer before activating it on the new computer.

1) So will restoring a Mac/Intel Time Machine backup to a new Mac/M1 work other than the VM file can't be used?

2) To avoid a fresh install for the Windows VM, can I install Windows 10 in a new M1 VM, then restore a Windows backup I made from Windows 10 running on the Mac/Intel?

Thanks!

If running Windows 10 is important to you, I am not sure an M1 Mac is a wise choice at the moment.

You will need a new version of Parallels and may need to pay them a fee. You should re-install all your applications and not rely on any backups. You can of course reinstall your documents and other data. Everything on iCloud will be restored automatically.

The only version of Windows you can run will be an ARM preview version and you have to join Microsoft's early access program. I doubt a full restore would work but you will be able to restore documents.

 

[haralds]

You can deactivate your license for Parallels on Intel and activate it on the M1. You will not be able to move your VMs. You will have to move to Windows 10 ARM64 Preview.
Other documents in iCloud should just transfer by magic. If you have a large Photos Library and media you can copy the folders and databases for Music and TV.
I would reinstall applications. Some of them will be Universal, but I have had a few that have separate downloads for Intel and Apple Silicon.

 

[donawalt]

Thanks, just to be clear - this article indicates both Migration Assistant and Time Machine backup work fine in migrating from an Intel MacBook to an M1.

The Apple support page doesn't give any indication it won't work.

This YouTube video actually shows doing it - using Migration Assistant and TM backup.

My question remains - from WITHIN WINDOWS 10 can I backup, and on a fresh Windows 10 VM on a Mac/M1, use that backup to restore from?

 

[linrey]

Thanks, just to be clear - this article indicates both Migration Assistant and Time Machine backup work fine in migrating from an Intel MacBook to an M1.

The Apple support page doesn't give any indication it won't work.

This YouTube video actually shows doing it - using Migration Assistant and TM backup.

My question remains - from WITHIN WINDOWS 10 can I backup, and on a fresh Windows 10 VM on a Mac/M1, use that backup to restore from?

Parallels has a (complex) work around to allow it's use on M1 Macs. Go to their site and research it. The previous 2 responses to your question are trying to help you get there - you need to get the info about Microsoft's ARM Preview to understand the obstacles.

 

[Fishrrman]

"My question remains - from WITHIN WINDOWS 10 can I backup, and on a fresh Windows 10 VM on a Mac/M1, use that backup to restore from?"

My -guess- is... NO... you cannot do this.