Using Time Machine to set up new iMac

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Hi, I'm considering getting a new iMac and if I do I'll use my Time Machine back up to transfer files/applications over.

I was wondering, when I do this, does it also copy over the OS I have on my old mac, or does it only transfer over all the files/applications but update the OS to whatever is on the new mac assuming it is a later OS.

I currently have Sierra and I ask this because I'm concerned some older apps I rely on mightn't work on High Sierra.

Thanks
 

IWT


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A warm welcome to our Forums.

Normally when you purchase a new Mac with a new OS, Time Machine will only transfer your data, settings, in fact everything but the older OS.

Indeed,it couldn’t replace your newer OS with the older because the new Mac will not run with an OS earlier than the one it was shipped with.

Your second point is important. It is conceivable that one or more apps might not work on High Sierra, but this is relatively unlikely because Sierra and High Sierra were not so very different in this regard.

It’s always worth checking whether an app will work on a newer OS by looking up the minimum requirements for that app on their website.

If it’s a 32 bit app, that will still be supported up to Mojave, but not beyond.

Does that answer your question or are there more specifics you want discuss?

Ian
 
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One caution on transferring over data. At the first boot of the new machine, there will be a prompt to migrate data. This prompt comes very early in the start up process, before the setting up of any accounts. The best way to migrate is to take that offer and let Migration Assistant do the migration for you. When it's done, there will be an account on your new iMac with exactly the same login and password as on the old one, with all of your data transferred and exactly where it was on the old.

If you don't take Migration Assistant at that time, but go ahead on the new iMac and create an account, even if it's the same name as on the old machine, when you do migrate the data it will NOT end up in the new account area, but in a newly created user area. (It's part of security, technically the new account does not own the old data.) Moving it is tricky and time consuming, although it can be done. It's much easier to just do it at the first offer and let it do what it does to help.
 
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If you buy a “New” Mac, they may have Mojave installed, since it was released this past month.
 
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One caution on transferring over data. At the first boot of the new machine, there will be a prompt to migrate data. This prompt comes very early in the start up process, before the setting up of any accounts. The best way to migrate is to take that offer and let Migration Assistant do the migration for you. When it's done, there will be an account on your new iMac with exactly the same login and password as on the old one, with all of your data transferred and exactly where it was on the old.


Oh I do wish Apple would highlight and stress your suggestion when a user has the opportunity and it would save so much hassles for those who tend to skip it with an "I'll do it later" shrug!!!





- Patrick
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