Migration to M1 Max MBP - need some help

[Kulfon]

Folks,
I have been happily using 2015 MBP 15' and have purchased myself a maxed out version of 14' M1 Max MBP. I have migrated everything from old to new and have had some issues later on with some apps. It is normal and I understand: Adobe was for Intel and so I had to clean everything that was old Adobe related and install Adobe for M1. Some with some other apps. The question is, I am sure there is a lot of migration mess, reduntant files and folder. How do I clean all of it and make sure that it is clean and only needed files, folders?

 

[SalisburySam]

Brute force option:

1. Clone your drive to an external one
2. Make a full backup with Time Machine
3. Wipe the drive
4. Install full version of Monterey
5. Add the Monterey/M1 versions of the software licenses you want/need
6. Make a full backup with Time Machine
7. Clone your new drive to an external one
8. Pour yourself a drink

 

[Kulfon]

Thanks. I thought people will suggest it. Other options?

 

[Kulfon]

BTW, why both steps (1 and 2) are needed? I thought full back up with time machine is enough? Why I need to clone to an external drive? Also, a back up with time machine is likely going to create same problems, no? It will back up versions on apps and folder, files that are not needed.

 

[SalisburySam]

BTW, why both steps (1 and 2) are needed?

A clone can be bootable, Time Machine does the normal backup. The clone is also a secondary backup just in case Time Machine borks out.

I thought full back up with time machine is enough? Why I need to clone to an external drive? Also, a back up with time machine is likely going to create same problems, no? It will back up versions on apps and folder, files that are not needed.

Yes, Time Machine backup backs up all the bad as well as the good. The clone and backup is only for, well, backup…a safety measure and not something to move forward with. That’s what Steps 6 and 7 are for. And maybe Step 8.

 

[Bodhitree]

If you’ve used Migration Assistant, there’s a chance it will have migrated some applications that do not work any longer, especially if your previous Mac was one running an OS prior to the 64-bit transition (High Sierra or earlier, i believe). You should try out all your apps and remove any that no longer work.

For any third party apps you should check if there are Apple Silicon-native versions out. Many will have been updated already.

Its a bit of running around.

 

[darngooddesign]

Folks,
I have been happily using 2015 MBP 15' and have purchased myself a maxed out version of 14' M1 Max MBP. I have migrated everything from old to new and have had some issues later on with some apps. It is normal and I understand: Adobe was for Intel and so I had to clean everything that was old Adobe related and install Adobe for M1. Some with some other apps. The question is, I am sure there is a lot of migration mess, reduntant files and folder. How do I clean all of it and make sure that it is clean and only needed files, folders?

While I might use Migration Assist to go from Intel to Intel, I would manually move data when going from Intel to AS, especially after eight years, which is what I'm currently doing with the data from my 2014 MBP. My suggestion is that you start the process again, but there is no real reason to back-up your computer.

 

[Kulfon]

If you’ve used Migration Assistant, there’s a chance it will have migrated some applications that do not work any longer, especially if your previous Mac was one running an OS prior to the 64-bit transition (High Sierra or earlier, i believe). You should try out all your apps and remove any that no longer work.

For any third party apps you should check if there are Apple Silicon-native versions out. Many will have been updated already.

Its a bit of running around.

This I can do and mostly did.

 

[Kulfon]

Here is a question. How can I copy just personal files (movies, music, pictures) and do not copy apps? This way I can install apps on a new OS and then add movies, pictures and other files. Which folder it will mostly going to be located?

 

[darngooddesign]

Here is a question. How can I copy just personal files (movies, music, pictures) and do not copy apps? This way I can install apps on a new OS and then add movies, pictures and other files. Which folder it will mostly going to be located?

All that stuff is usually in your user folder.

 

[Bodhitree]

Here is a question. How can I copy just personal files (movies, music, pictures) and do not copy apps? This way I can install apps on a new OS and then add movies, pictures and other files. Which folder it will mostly going to be located?

Migration Assistant gives you the choice whether you want to migrate the Applications folder or not. If you uncheck it, it wont bring your apps across.

 

[mblm85]

I've learnt not to get hung up about leftovers from migrations.

With my last Mac, I did a migration but then had these concerns. I ended up reinstalling everything from scratch. However, it didn't make any noticeable improvement in performance and didn't suddenly free-up much space.

It certainly wasn't worth the effort it took.

I think this was one of the last behaviours I'd held on to from my Windows days. Nowadays, I very occasionally use CleanMyMac X if I get the need to have a tidy but I wouldn't call it essential.

 

[kevcube]

Yeah just go with whatever migration process is easiest, and if you have broken things, remove them and fix it one by one. Rosetta will probably run all your old apps anyway. If you’re curious if something is running under Rosetta, check in activity monitor CPU tab for “Type”