Best way to make a full bootable system clone drive?

[simon5413]

I want to make a full copy of my system drive that includes the recovery partition (for OS10.13.6). However, I have recently discovered that the currently available HS OS Installer requires my 4,1>5,1 flashed MP receive a firmware update that might possibly brick the entire machine. I'm not currently willing to take that risk but still hold out hope there is a way to clone my existing, functional system drive along with the recovery partition on it.

I've used Chronosync for bootable clones in the past but I guess it doesn't copy the hidden recovery partition. Anyone have any suggestions or methods to fully copy *everything* on one drive to another?

 

[Jack Neill]

Carbon Copy Cloner is what I use, I did a HS clone today in fact for a 2011 iMac.

 

[Madhatter32]

Yes, Carbon Copy Cloner or Super Duper will get it done. I used CCC regularly with High Sierra back in the day with no problems.

 

[simon5413]

both of those will also clone the hidden recovery partition?

 

[Madhatter32]

both of those will also clone the hidden recovery partition?

Yes. CCC gives you an option to do so after the first clone -- at least for High Sierra through Catalina.

 

[pshufd]

I've used CCC and SD - whichever is easier to use for free.

 

[haralds]

The recovery is stored on the clone as an image file as well as being added to the recovery partition as volume itself.

 

[m4v3r1ck]

Yes, Carbon Copy Cloner or Super Duper will get it done. I used CCC regularly with High Sierra back in the day with no problems.

Both are good applications. I’ve been using CCC for many years and macOS versions. I always clone to a eSATA connected RAID-1 external enclosure for fail-safe backups.