How do I access store old files saved on older generation Mac from a new MacBook or iPad?

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Level 1

4 points

How do I access store old files saved on older generation Mac from a new MacBook or iPad?

I have tons of old digital photography saved to cd/dvd and an external SSD backup of an older generation desktop Mac. I’d like to still be able to access and edit these photos from a new MacBook or iPad, and I’d also like to be able to use Apple Pencil in my artistic endeavors. Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t currently make a laptop that is compatible with apple pencil, and the iPads don’t have any compatibility with optical media drives (cd/dvd).

What is the best way to access these files on new devices? Do I need to use an older computer to transfer all of the CD/DVD to an external hard drive? I’m willing to take the time to transfer them into a different format, I just don’t want these files to disappear forever into an inaccessible format. FYI, cloud storage is not something I’m interested in. I’m open to suggestions.

[Re-Titled by Moderator] n

iPad Pro, iPadOS 17

Posted on May 19, 2025 7:29 AM

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Answer 1

May 19, 2025 1:04 PM in response to Techfatigue

If the CDs are so old that they are formatted using HFS (no "+"), or as hybrid Mac/PC discs where HFS (no "+") is one of the filesystems, a modern Mac will not be able to read them. Apple removed all support for HFS (no "+") in Catalina, and modern versions of macOS reportedly reject CDs that have HFS filesystems on them – even if those CDs also have "PC" filesystems on them that macOS could read.

Otherwise, you could get an external optical drive and let your new Mac read your discs directly.

E.g., Other World Computing – 24X OWC Mercury Pro USB 3.2 (5Gb/s) Super-Multi DVD/CD Burner/Reader External Optical Drive with M-DISC Support . That one comes with a short USB-A to USB 3.0 B cable, which you might want to replace with a longer USB-C to USB 3.0 B cable.

In any event, I would suggest that you make copies of the photos and videos stored on those optical discs on a HDD or SSD, and that you back up that HDD or SSD on at least one other drive.

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Answer 2

Phil0124

Level 10

216,326 points

May 19, 2025 8:03 AM in response to Techfatigue

You can connect optical drives to any MacBook and you can use an iPad with it as a drawing tablet with an Apple Pencil.

click here ➜ Use an iPad as a second display for a Mac - Apple Support

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjcIaSinKkM

Alternatively, you can if you want, copy the files from the CD/DVD discs to any external drive, and then open them directly on the iPad using the Photos or any 3rd party app you want and use the pencil directly there.

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How do I access store old files saved on older generation Mac from a new MacBook or iPad?

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