How to migrate an iCloud Photo Library to a new iMac without re-downloading everything
I just ordered a new iMac. I currently have an older iMac with an iCloud Photo Library that is stored on an external drive. I want to know the proper process for getting this Photo Library moved to the new iMac such that it remains the “System Photo Library” that syncs with iCloud and does not trigger a re-download of all of my photos which would put be over my monthly data allotment. (Ugh, Comcast)
Since it’s on an external drive, I would hope it could be as simple as attaching the drive to the new Mac and opening the Library manually from that drive and then setting it as the System Photo Library in the Photos app. But I don’t want to make any mistake as once a full download is triggered, there’s no going back. I know this because it happened the last time I upgraded to a new iMac.
As a note, I am not planning on using Time Machine to restore to my new iMac as I’m hoping to start from the out of the box OS install and only install the apps I need as I have years (possibly decades) of restored junk from old apps I don’t need to keep moving from machine to machine.
Should I avoid signing in to iCloud on the new machine until a certain point in time? Should I just avoid opening the Photos app on the new Mac until I have the external drive attached? These are the questions floating through my mind.
iMac 27″, macOS 10.15