Backing up old 9 year Time Machine data to new computer

[hempomatic]

My sister has the very first incarnation of a MacBook Air with High Sierra as her OS. It's beginning to act funky and she's considering a new computer (better late than never) and all her data is backed up on Time Machine. Is there going to be a compatibility issue with an Intel/High Sierra configuration and an M1 or M2/ Sonoma computer as far as retrieving backed up data?

 

[ferrarr]

If the Time Machine is only a backup, then there is no need to worry about it, because all the data exists in its present location. And Migration Assistant on the new Mac will do all the work. I doubt the TM drive will work with these newer macOS versions.

Personally, with my Mac Studio, I set it up as new. Copied (drag and drop) all my personal files/data to the new Mac. Also I use iCloud, so most of my data is ready to be accessed once I download them. I then install the software and I’m good to go. It is time consuming but with a new device, to me it’s worth the extra work.

 

[hempomatic]

So, Time Machine is presently part of Airport. So, correct me if I'm wrong, the data is there and migration Assistant will transfer all of the data, but the hardware, in this case a 10 year Airport, will not work with the newer machines. That was pretty much what I figured as far a hardware, because that is 32bit, but the concern was the data.

iCloud is not part of the equation since she doesn't use it.

 

[MacInWin]

So, Time Machine is presently part of Airport.

Do you mean she has a Time Capsule? Or is the TM drive directly attached to the Airport? There is a difference.

but the hardware, in this case a 10 year Airport, will not work with the newer machines.

Maybe, maybe not. Airport is a router, and adheres to network standards, which have not change. The "bit" issue doesn't apply, either, AFAIK. The network standards are bit-agnostic.

Bottom line, what Bob suggested is the best way to make the transfer. Note, however, that any third party software should be reinstalled to get the version otimized for the new Mx chipset. The older Intel versions *should* run under Rosetta2, but it would be better to have native ARM version. So, before making the purchase and the migration, check to see if the vendors have updated their software for the new hardware.

 

[hempomatic]

Uggghhh, I have a hard enough time with my own stuff, But I BELIEVE she has a Time Capsule and Time Machine is part of that. I'll have to get the specifics from her before I get you folks involved any further trying to help me.

Thanks

ken

 

[MacInWin]

But I BELIEVE she has a Time Capsule and Time Machine is part of that.

Time Capsule is a device. Time Machine is software. Time Machine *can* make a backup to a Time Capsule. Just for information. Basically Time Capsule is an Apple Airport with an inside drive.

 

[Slydude]

For whatever reason, my earlier post didn't appear. I think I forgot to hit the post button. That's a good thing though because when I answered I wasn't thinking about the Time Capsule (hardware), I focused on the Time Machine software.

Others have covered the points I was going to make so I won't rehash that. I will say that I recently moved quite a lot of data off of an old Time Capsule and onto an external drive attached to a new Mac. The newer Mac had no trouble recognizing the older hardware. If hers is not recognized come back and we can work through any settings that might need to be changed.