Using Mac Migration Assistant from a 2014 Mini running Ventura 13.3 via OCLP to a new M2 Mini?

[dictoresno]

Just pulled the trigger on a new M2 Mini 512/16. I perform regular Time Machine backups to my network file server and was wondering if using migration assistant when the new one comes in will cause any issues coming from an unsupported 2014 mini on Ventura using OCLP with a patched OS. My current setup honestly didn't take too long to reinstall from scratch, and im leaning on just doing a fresh install and manually downloading apps.

I use iCloud for everything, including iCloud desktop, Apple Music etc so it's not like im really "losing" anything going from a fresh install. all necessary Mac app or driver software I need I have saved on a network drive so reinstalling will be a breeze. but if I were to go the migration assistant route, would copying things over from a patched Ventura install run into any issues on a non patched system or should I just stick to a fresh install from scratch?

 

[Fishrrman]

I'll take a guess that the migration (using setup assistant when you first boot the new Mini) will work just fine...

 

[panjandrum]

I agree with Fishrrman's opinion on this. It will likely work just fine. There are plenty of issue migrating TO OCLP machines (often having to do with conflicting Extensions), but the other way around will likely be problem free. Or, at least, mostly problem free, as sometimes there are issues even on vanilla Macs. Ultimately, if there are problems, you can always create a fresh user account, blow away the migrated account, and start from there, so it's largely risk-free to at least give it a try.

 

[BeatCrazy]

I would not risk it.

This past weekend, I started the process of retiring my 2014 Mac mini and set up a M1 iMac.

I did do a migration. I have 9 years of junk on the mini, it felt better to just set up from new. I'm also a heavy iCloud user, so this is typically how I always do it.

Although Macs are pretty reliable, I try to rely more on cloud/external storage vs. settings or files on the OS itself. I don't want my month to be ruined if one of my machines completely craps out or gets stolen.

 

[dictoresno]

I’m not concerned from years of junk or old not needed files transferring as my current OCLP Ventura install was a from scratch clean install. I’m just more concerned of migration assistant transferring over something patched via OCLP that shouldn’t be, even though I’m sure system files aren’t part of the migration.