Migration Assistant - HomeBrew

[theedoor]

Hi all,

While I'm waiting for my new MB to show up I decided to start preparing for the migration by cleaning up my 2013 MBA.

I'm probably going to use migration assistant from my time machine back up. But had some procedural questions:

1. Can/Should I create a user on the new MB so I can upgrade to 11.0.1 prior to using migration assistant?
2. Is it possible to migrate only my files (i.e. Docs/Movies/Pics) and Applications but not migrate HomeBrew, LaTeX, or anything I may have installed in the past 7 years & subsequently forgot about?

What other tips are there to make the migration go smoothly?


Thanks!

 

[hobowankenobi]

Generally, MA will let you pick the major folders. Yes, you can migrate just a user account, just the Applications folder, just System info, etc. Or all the above. Unless things have changed...you have to migrate the entire user directory.

You don't need to make a new user.

If you want to make a new user...you can:

1. manually move (or create) a user home folder first
2. carefully name it with the short user name you intend to use
3. drop in any/all files and folders you want (Documents, Movies, Pictures, etc) being careful to match Apple naming conventions
4. create a new user with the exact short name of the folder

If you do it correctly, the new user created will use the folder you set up for it; the Finder will prompt you to use it. If you do it incorrectly (typo), it will generate a new, empty user directory. Doing the above sets/fixes all permissions, and adds any missing default folders not there, so be sure everything you want is there before you create the new corresponding user.

Naming Example

User Long Name: John Smith
User Short Name: johnsmith
Name of home directory (created or moved) must be: johnsmith

 

[theedoor]

The reason I asked about creating a new use was I read people having trouble with the M1 Macs not being able to update to 11.0.1 prior to using MA. I guess I’ll wait and see if mine comes with 11 or 11.0.1

 

[hobowankenobi]

Ah...I see. If so, fairly specific bug. Will have to wait for specific M1/OS version guidance.