migration does not complete

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Level 1

78 points

migration does not complete

macOS 12.0.1 (Monterey)

MacBook Pro (15in 2016)

I backed up my Mac using TimeMachine, ran first aid (Disk Utility) on both the external TimeMachine HD and my MacBook Pro (2TB SSD), erased the HD, reinstalled macOS, and then used the Migration Assistant to get me back to a clean install.

Unfortunately, the migration did not complete after several days (external HD connected by USB). Thus, I minimized the data migration to my personal account. This also failed to complete after several days. Eventually, the number of files transferred stopped incrementing and the bytes/sec gradually decreased lower and lower. Even though I did not ask that System Settings be transferred, the final message indicates System Settings are being transferred.

In each case, I eventually canceled the migration. Although the space remaining on my drive indicates that a lot of data has been transferred, it is not accessible. For example, the desktop and Documents folders are empty.

I'd be happy to locate the data and transfer the information manually. Any advice?

Posted on Dec 9, 2021 08:54 PM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,495 points

Dec 10, 2021 08:57 AM in response to Ben Abbott1

Make a bootable Big Sur install USB device and boot from that

How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

To get Big Sur installer:

How to get old versions of macOS - Apple Support

You do need a working macOS version to do this. Then boot from the bootable USB device and install Big Sur on your startup disk after first erasing the disk

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Answer 2

Dec 10, 2021 01:13 AM in response to Ben Abbott1

Click iCloud Drive in a Finder window Sidebar and see if there are folders Documents and Desktop in there; and if they are there check their contents.

When installing the new system yu may have inadvertently checked to use Documents and Desktop in iCoud.

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Answer 3

Dec 10, 2021 03:22 AM in response to Ben Abbott1

Assuming that the problem is related to running the Migration Assistant on Monterey, you could perhaps install Big Sur, recover your user files, and then upgrade to Monterey. This would take a lot of time to complete and, ultimately, may not be successful depending on the source of the original problem.

Consider the following outline (based on using a bootable installer for Big Sur):

1) erase the internal drive, create a new APFS volume with the Disk Utility

2) perform a clean install of Big Sur

3) use the Migration Assistant to recover user files (perhaps first for a single account and then the remaining accounts) from the Time Machine backup

4) use Software Update to upgrade from Big Sur to Monterey

At this point, you should have a clean version of Monterey including your user files (but no apps or System settings). If Monterey is working well, use the Migration Assistant to transfer the installed applications (or reinstall them using updated versions where possible). Finally, manually update any required System settings.

- Pie Lover

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Answer 4

Ben Abbott1 Author

Level 1

78 points

Dec 10, 2021 07:42 AM in response to lllaass

Hi Illaass, good suggestion. I've been through the reinstall five times. Each time reducing the amount of information migrated. I'm currently migrating the smallest amount (just my account). If there is a way to only migrate a portion of my account, please explain.

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Answer 5

Ben Abbott1 Author

Level 1

78 points

Dec 10, 2021 07:13 PM in response to Ben Abbott1

I just realized I can mount the external HD with the old TimeMachine backup and drill down into the latest back up and manually transfer the files.

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Answer 6

lllaass

Level 10

210,495 points

Dec 10, 2021 01:15 AM in response to Ben Abbott1

I would reinstall Monterey and try again. This time start with very small chunks.

However, there may be problem with ™ and you may never be able to get all you data back.

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Answer 7

Ben Abbott1 Author

Level 1

78 points

Dec 10, 2021 07:39 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Hi Luis, I do have some files on iCloud, but only a small fraction compared to what is on the SSD.

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Answer 8

Ben Abbott1 Author

Level 1

78 points

Dec 10, 2021 07:44 AM in response to BlueberryLover

Sounds like a reasonable test. After erasing my HD, I boot into recovery mode and then install macOS. The only version I see available is Monterey. How can I install Big Sur instead?

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migration does not complete

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