restore iMac from icloud

Old iMac died. Want to restore data to new iMac

iMac 21.5″, macOS 12.6

Posted on Aug 28, 2023 02:18 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 28, 2023 02:25 PM

Apple offers iCloud Backup for iPhones and iPads but not for Mac computers.

You can use any internet browser and log into www.icloud.com and look to see if you have any synced data there. If so, you can turn on the same sync settings on the new Mac and the data will automatically sync with it. See below for more sync information.


It is possible to sync data from a Mac to iCloud if you turn on those options (e.g., iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive including the Desktop & Documents option). Syncing has some of the benefits of a backup (and the benefit of being offsite) but is not the same as a backup. Major differences include the fact that not everything on your Mac can be synced and the fact that if you delete something, accidentally or otherwise, there is only a limited time period (30 days in most cases) during which it can be recovered.


Also see the Apple article: How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support


And more information on syncing in:

Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

and

Access and manage your files in iCloud Drive - Apple Support

and

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support


Other data such as Contacts, Notes, Reminders, etc can also be synced.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 28, 2023 02:25 PM in response to NBKimmey

Apple offers iCloud Backup for iPhones and iPads but not for Mac computers.

You can use any internet browser and log into www.icloud.com and look to see if you have any synced data there. If so, you can turn on the same sync settings on the new Mac and the data will automatically sync with it. See below for more sync information.


It is possible to sync data from a Mac to iCloud if you turn on those options (e.g., iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive including the Desktop & Documents option). Syncing has some of the benefits of a backup (and the benefit of being offsite) but is not the same as a backup. Major differences include the fact that not everything on your Mac can be synced and the fact that if you delete something, accidentally or otherwise, there is only a limited time period (30 days in most cases) during which it can be recovered.


Also see the Apple article: How to back up your Mac - Official Apple Support


And more information on syncing in:

Set up and use iCloud Photos - Apple Support

and

Access and manage your files in iCloud Drive - Apple Support

and

Add your Desktop and Documents files to iCloud Drive - Apple Support


Other data such as Contacts, Notes, Reminders, etc can also be synced.

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restore iMac from icloud

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