I have a 14" MBP coming. My current machine is a 15" 2013 MBP running Big Sur. I have a Time Machine backup, but I would like to do a clean install and just download my Photo library etc from iCloud, it has been a while so a fresh start would be good. Would copying the music library across be quite straight forward from the Time Machine back up and on a different OS?
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Transfer Music Library to new Mac
- Thread starter ajo
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Use Migration Assistant. That's what it's for. It can transfer as much or as little as you want from your TM Backup and it's really easy. The only real "gotcha" with MA is that you want it to create your account for you and transfer it. Don't create a new account on the new machine and *then* try to run MA. That's might mess you up.
Is this the cleanest way? I moved from the first intel iMac using Time Machine to the MacBook Pro and used this for years too. I just dont want all the old library files and things like that installed again that have piled up over the years.
First, I've never used time machine.
I use only "cloned backups" in day-to-day usage and for migrations.
OK, having said that...
You must be aware that when you "start fresh", all your previous settings and preferences will be "left behind" as well, so you'll have to re-do all of them again.
You'll also have to re-install and re-register 3rd party applications.
And if you create a "brand new account" on the new Mac, you'll have to take specific steps to avoid permissions problems when bringing over the data from the old Mac.
This is because (even if you use the same username and password) the "new" account will be seen as "different" from the previous account -- and you'll have permissions issues with data from the old Mac.
Are you willing to do that?
If so, then you can do a "manual migration".
However, I'm wondering if a backup from time machine can "get in the way" of doing it.
Let me explain.
With a cloned backup (created by CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper), it's EASY to avoid permissions problems in a scenario like the one above.
That's because a cloned backup drive is no different than any other "ordinary" drive with data on it.
If I have a new account, and want to bring over data from an old account, I would do this:
a. connect cloned backup drive
b. let icon mount on desktop
c. click on icon ONE TIME to select it
d. bring up the "get info" box (command-i)
e. at bottom of get info, click lock and enter NEW password
f. put check into "ignore ownership on this volume" (sharing and permissions)
g. close get info
Now I can copy files (from my OLD account) to the NEW account on the new Mac, and anything I copy will automatically "come under the ownership" of my NEW account. No permissions problems.
Perhaps there's some way to do this with a tm backup, but I don't know how that would be.
It will be up to others to explain.
Again, something to be aware of when you do a manual migration.
(When you migrate using setup assistant when you first turn on a new Mac, I believe setup assistant takes care of these issues automatically)
I use only "cloned backups" in day-to-day usage and for migrations.
OK, having said that...
You must be aware that when you "start fresh", all your previous settings and preferences will be "left behind" as well, so you'll have to re-do all of them again.
You'll also have to re-install and re-register 3rd party applications.
And if you create a "brand new account" on the new Mac, you'll have to take specific steps to avoid permissions problems when bringing over the data from the old Mac.
This is because (even if you use the same username and password) the "new" account will be seen as "different" from the previous account -- and you'll have permissions issues with data from the old Mac.
Are you willing to do that?
If so, then you can do a "manual migration".
However, I'm wondering if a backup from time machine can "get in the way" of doing it.
Let me explain.
With a cloned backup (created by CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper), it's EASY to avoid permissions problems in a scenario like the one above.
That's because a cloned backup drive is no different than any other "ordinary" drive with data on it.
If I have a new account, and want to bring over data from an old account, I would do this:
a. connect cloned backup drive
b. let icon mount on desktop
c. click on icon ONE TIME to select it
d. bring up the "get info" box (command-i)
e. at bottom of get info, click lock and enter NEW password
f. put check into "ignore ownership on this volume" (sharing and permissions)
g. close get info
Now I can copy files (from my OLD account) to the NEW account on the new Mac, and anything I copy will automatically "come under the ownership" of my NEW account. No permissions problems.
Perhaps there's some way to do this with a tm backup, but I don't know how that would be.
It will be up to others to explain.
Again, something to be aware of when you do a manual migration.
(When you migrate using setup assistant when you first turn on a new Mac, I believe setup assistant takes care of these issues automatically)
In the past with family machines I have just started fresh, the only apps they had were the Apple Stock apps, Photos, pages etc. This has always been simple. I don't mind much about having to redo some settings.
What permission problems might I come across? The only 3rd party applications that I have is Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office. Both have cloud accounts so would it matter with starting fresh and downloading these again?
"What permission problems might I come across? The only 3rd party applications that I have is Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office. Both have cloud accounts so would it matter with starting fresh and downloading these again?"
I have no idea how iCloud works -- I don't use it (nor any other "clouds").
Re permissions problems... you'll recognize these when you encounter them.
(not being glib... you may have some, then again, maybe not)
I have no idea how iCloud works -- I don't use it (nor any other "clouds").
Re permissions problems... you'll recognize these when you encounter them.
(not being glib... you may have some, then again, maybe not)
what i did was imported my music library WHICH consists of music ripped from CDs since 2004
into a Macbook Air M1 Monerery just recently, a few months ago.
this folder has over 50GB of albums by musicans in separate folders stored on a external ssd drive.
th process took under 1 minute and there was no "find album artwork" needed.
this was the fastest, purest and hassle free manner since Snow Leopard to Mt Lion.
this process also downloaded 3 CD i purchased through apple store this year.
i hope this helped!
into a Macbook Air M1 Monerery just recently, a few months ago.
this folder has over 50GB of albums by musicans in separate folders stored on a external ssd drive.
th process took under 1 minute and there was no "find album artwork" needed.
this was the fastest, purest and hassle free manner since Snow Leopard to Mt Lion.
this process also downloaded 3 CD i purchased through apple store this year.
i hope this helped!
Similar for me, these are CD rips from before iTunes days when Apple bundled MusicMatch with iPods! Did you just drag the folders and files across?
How did you set up the rest of your new MacBook Air, fresh with iCloud or migration?
I selected Import from the Music>Media.Music folder
if I need to add more albums, like "bridge over troubled water" I just add that to the file
then iTunes gathers that.
I dragged the rest of the files like photos cartoons, art work etc.
the process was very fast.
last week I used "migration" on an older MacBook from El Capitan to Mojave which worked great as well