Mac Mini Set-Up using secondary storage with old MacBook Pro Mid 2012-13" time machine, how to set-up properly?

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Mac Mini Set-Up using secondary storage with old MacBook Pro Mid 2012-13" time machine, how to set-up properly?

Newly got the Mac Mini M4 to replace my MBP (mid 2012-13") and it also has time machine backed up. With my Mac Mini M4 I'd like to use my newly bought WD Black m.2 with OWC enclosure to store most of my storage.

I'm asking how I will migrate if in the set-up phase there's no prompt to add secondary storage yet? Do I set-up Mac Mini without Migration Assistant in the set-up? (This will cause me to have three profiles, Profile setting up the Mini and the two profiles from old MBP) [would like to avoid this if necessary].
Which is the best way to Migrate linking my old MBP with Mac Mini via ethernet or using the external HDD I had for time machine backup?

My old MBP ran the last macOS 10.15 Catalina and used time machine with old external HDD

Mac mini (M4, 2024)

Posted on Dec 21, 2025 11:52 PM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

91,072 points

Dec 22, 2025 6:51 AM in response to Stoyamix

The additional storage drive complicates things. If I understand correctly...

1) Migrate your User and Settings directly from the MBP to the new M4 Mac mini.

2) Connect your MBP's added storage drive to the Mac mini using a USB-C to USB-A adapter.

3) Clone the MBP's added storage drive to the WD Black M2 and test before repurposing the MBP's added drive.

4) Connect the MBP Time Machine backup drive to the Mac mini and resume the backups or start new Time Machine backups.

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Answer 2

Stoyamix Author

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Dec 22, 2025 6:44 PM in response to den.thed

Thank you for the reply

for Number 2

I used to this with my MBP back in the day where I upgraded the storage, so I have a dock for the HDD. Would it be plausible to just remove the HDD from the mini and copy do number 3 that way?

Just tried to on my MBP after a very long time of not turning on and for a moment it did and it shut off... I suspect degraded battery and the charger also might now be working anymore xD

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

91,072 points

Dec 22, 2025 7:23 PM in response to Stoyamix

Stoyamix wrote:

Thank you for the reply

You're welcome.

for Number 2

I used to this with my MBP back in the day where I upgraded the storage, so I have a dock for the HDD. Would it be plausible to just remove the HDD from the mini and copy do number 3 that way?

No you can not remove the new M4 Mac mini's Flash Storage Drive and put it into a SATA Dock.

Just tried to on my MBP after a very long time of not turning on and for a moment it did and it shut off... I suspect degraded battery and the charger also might now be working anymore xD

Hmm... that changes things drastically if the MBP is no longer charging or working.

The next work-around for number 2) is to connect your MBP's Time Machine backup drive to the new M4 Mac mini and migrate your User and Settings from it.

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Answer 4

Stoyamix Author

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50 points

Dec 22, 2025 7:38 PM in response to den.thed

No you can not remove the new M4 Mac mini's Flash Storage Drive and put it into a SATA Dock.

Sorry for the confusion, I meant for my MBP ill remove its HDD to put in the SATA dock cause my MBP stopped working. Is the speeds going to be the same as when I use ethernet with the MBP to migrate

The next work-around for number 2) is to connect your MBP's Time Machine backup drive to the new M4 Mac mini and migrate your User and Settings from it.

Is this as good as migrating with the MBP? Like do I lose some files?

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Answer 5

den.thed

Level 10

91,072 points

Dec 22, 2025 8:12 PM in response to Stoyamix

Stoyamix wrote:

Sorry for the confusion, I meant for my MBP ill remove its HDD to put in the SATA dock cause my MBP stopped working. Is the speeds going to be the same as when I use ethernet with the MBP to migrate

Yes that is actually a good idea.

Is this as good as migrating with the MBP? Like do I lose some files?

That depends on the date of the last viable Time Machine backup.

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Answer 6

Stoyamix Author

Level 1

50 points

Dec 22, 2025 9:12 PM in response to den.thed

Thanks Again

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