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Installing from a clone

Kind of a dumb question after all these years but here goes. My current (2010) laptop uses Sierra. I ordered a 2015 Macbook Pro from an eBay trusted seller that has Mojave installed. If I install from a clone will that overwrite Mojave with Sierra? Would I do better just dragging and dropping the files I want to transfer from my backup drive to my new machine?

Posted on Aug 3, 2019 8:38 AM

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Posted on Aug 3, 2019 11:08 AM

Personally I would first erase & reinstall macOS using Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R so you know macOS is clean & safe. Then use Setup Assistant as mentioned by @y_p_w.

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Aug 3, 2019 9:07 AM in response to Bellon, Laurel

There are ways to use Setup Assistant to migrate over without stuff including applications/settings that aren't loaded on your new machine. Migration Assistant does much of the same, although I'm not sure if they've worked out all the issues such as a duplicate account.


You'll need to figure out what cables/adapters you need. My last use of Setup Assistant was using ethernet, which your machine doesn't have. You might also need to restore your new machine to factory settings if it isn't that way when delivered. One way to do it would be with the drive from your previous machine in a USB enclosure, and that can be used to set it up. Also target disk mode, although you would need to use a Thunderbolt 2 to USB-C adapter.

Installing from a clone

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