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MareLuce

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 26, 2010
1,118
479
2 questions about moving data to my shiny new 16" MacBook Pro

Context
I want to do a clean install to my new 16" MacBook Pro with 4TB.

I only want to move the data from my 2016 15" MacBook Pro with 2TB (almost full).
This was my first MacBook Pro, so I've never done a migration before. I do have Time Machine backups to an external drive.

2 questions

1) To just move the data I've created, which folder tree should be moved?

Sorry for such a basic question.
I thought the answer would be the "Users" directory tree

However, I do have some apps with essential data that I don't see within the User tree.
Example, I use TechSmith Snagit a lot for screen captures. 2,795 screen captures.
Within my user directory tree, I don't see all these files.


2) To do this, should I use

a) Time Machine (with Migration Assistant)

b) SuperDuper!

c) Carbon Copy Cloner

?

@honestone33 and @Fishrrman I'm especially interested in your opinions on these 2 questions.

Related threads:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/migration-assistant-–-which-files-are-migrated.2206183/

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ersions-of-mac-os-mojave-to-catalina.2212578/
 
Last edited:

Sikh

macrumors 6502a
Mar 8, 2011
541
318
You can use Migration Assistant. Connect both macs via a thunderbolt 3 (usb c) cable and run migration assistant and itll find your other mac. You can also boot your 15" into target drive mode by holding down T when you power it on and run migration assistant and itll see your 15" as just a hard drive and will let you migrate users, applications, etc.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204350
 
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Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
28,241
12,388
DO you already have the 16"?
Did you start using it?
IF so, that's going to create permissions problems between your "old user account" and your "new one".
 

MareLuce

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Sep 26, 2010
1,118
479
DO you already have the 16"?
Did you start using it?
Of course! I couldn't resist!

IF so, that's going to create permissions problems between your "old user account" and your "new one".
Really?

But...I haven't created any data that needs saving on the new one.
I just need to move the old data over.
And, I'm using the same Apple ID on both. Wouldn't that prevent any problems?
 
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