Time Machine: How flexible is it?

[iHavequestions]

Just wondering a few questions:

• Can you create a time machine image from an iMac and load it on another Mac like an MBP?
• If so, I'm guessing there are some caveats such as if the iMac is 2021 and the MPB is 2007, it won't work. What are some of these constraints besides that one?
• I have a bunch of hard drives everywhere with random Time Machine backups. If I consolidated them by moving all those files into one new hard drive and using that as the boot drive for any of the same computers or other computers, would that work too? Just want to make sure the image isn't somehow going to not work from a copy of the original Time Machine image.

 

[BrianBaughn]

You can't boot a Time Machine backup. It is used for recovering files and in conjunction with Migration Assistant to restore a system or User Account.

You can restore an older Time Machine backup to a newer macOS but not the other way around.

 

[iHavequestions]

You can't boot a Time Machine backup. It is used for recovering files and in conjunction with Migration Assistant to restore a system or User Account.

You can restore an older Time Machine backup to a newer macOS but not the other way around.

Boot is probably the wrong word. Can I recover/restore with the following scenarios:

1. iMac backup --> restore on Machook Pro
2. Time Machine Backup on External Hard Drive 1 --> Copy files onto External Hard Drive 2 ---> use External Hard Drive 2 to restore

 

[Significant1]

Boot is probably the wrong word. Can I recover/restore with the following scenarios:

1. iMac backup --> restore on Machook Pro

Yes, if the macOS version is the same or newer on the Macbook

1. Time Machine Backup on External Hard Drive 1 --> Copy files onto External Hard Drive 2 ---> use External Hard Drive 2 to restore

I Guess, but you have to make sure the fileformat is the samer and you copying everything. But why the extra step, instead of just using Drive 1 to restore from.

 

[BrianBaughn]

Time machine is very picky (I've had issues over the years) and I wouldn't attempt to move the files from one drive to another. It may work…I don't know.

You won't be able to restore a 2021 iMac to a 2007 MBP. There are no situations where this could occur. If the MBP were running a version of macOS the same as or later than the one on the iMac then it would be feasible but that just can't happen on those two particular machines.

 

[iHavequestions]

I Guess, but you have to make sure the fileformat is the samer and you copying everything. But why the extra step, instead of just using Drive 1 to restore from.

Backup of the backup!

 

[gilby101]

Time Machine Backup on External Hard Drive 1 --> Copy files onto External Hard Drive 2 ---> use External Hard Drive 2 to restore

You can copy files from one particular backup to another disk. But you can’t then use that to do a Migration Assistant (or other TM based) restore. You would be able to copy files using Finder, but that is not the same thing

It is wise not to mess with TM backups. Use them for restoration of the SAME computer or to restore individual file or folders using Finder to any Mac