Reformatting & iCloud Question

[waynewayne]

Some time ago I bought a M1 MBA and used the wizard to transfer over all my settings and files from my 2010 MBP. Pretty much a plug and play solution.

I have iCloud set up in such a way that “my documents” on the laptop is part of the iCloud Drive. I had this on the old MBP and when I transferred the same set up is on the MBA now too.

Can I now reformat the 2010 MBP so I can then dispose of it, or will reformatting it delete the “my documents” folder and therefore delete my iCloud files?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Your documents should still be in the cloud after you reformat the older MBP. I would make a backup (before you reformat) of those iCloud folders, though, and give the new folder a different name and save it to your iCloud drive. That way, you know you have an emergency backup.

 

[Fishrrman]

I would sign OUT of iCloud, iTunes (de-authorize the old MBP), etc.

Now... make sure this doesn't affect things on the new MBair or on iCloud.

Everything still looks good?
Then... time to reformat the drive of the old one.

If it was me, I'd put a fresh system onto it and see if anyone was interested in it...

 

[Ray2]

What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support

Reset your Mac to factory settings to prepare it for a new owner.

support.apple.com