Time Machine restore to a different computer

Discussion in 'macOS' started by Hacks, Feb 2, 2015.

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  1. Hacks, Feb 2, 2015

    Hacks macrumors member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2015
    #1
    When I get a new iPhone or iPad I just connect them to iTunes and have them restore. It puts all my apps, data, and settings on the new device.

    I currently have a MBA and plan on getting an iMac. I was wondering if I could do the same thing with my Time Machine backup? Would everything be the same on the new iMac, apps and settings?

    Or should I just start fresh and install everything manually?
     
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  2. sonicrobby, Feb 2, 2015

    sonicrobby macrumors 68020

    sonicrobby

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2013
    Location:
    New Orleans
    #2
    Yup, you physically can restore between macs. Ive restored my mac mini time machine backups to my new rMBP when I first bought it. As long as the one being backed up is not being restored onto an older version of OSX, I dont think there'd be any issues.
     
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  3. Bomb Bloke, Feb 13, 2015

    Bomb Bloke macrumors regular

    Bomb Bloke

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2015
    Location:
    Tasmania (AU)
    #3
    Don't just do a full system restore, though - have the Migration Assistant handle the process for you. Each model has a slightly different build of OS X (even if the version numbers are the same), and they aren't always compatible. Unlike your iOS backups, OS X backups do include the OS itself, so performing a complete restore to the wrong system has the potential to cause some major issues.
     
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