Copy all data and settings from one user account to another

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Level 1

30 points

Copy all data and settings from one user account to another

Hi

Running latest version of macOS on a 24" 2021 iMac (purchased new earlier this year). I am having some issues with some links not working on some websites. I spent a long time on chat with Apple Support today, and have tried various things at their suggestion, but nothing has fixed the issue. They had me create a new user account (standard account) then try the website links to see if they worked under that new account - which they did, so it would appear that my original user account has somehow become corrupted.

My question is .... is there any way to copy my current settings and apps from my original user account, to the new one? All my docs are backed up to iCloud, so I can access those with no problem, but it looks like I will have to set up all the apps I've installed manually, plus other general settings. I am hoping there is an easier way for me to transfer all of that to the new account. I will then make that the administrator account and delete the original account.

If someone can walk me through how to do this, if it is even possible, I would appreciate it. I realise I could try to reinstall the OS, but I'd rather not do that if there is another alternative.

Thanks in advance.

Posted on Sep 8, 2022 12:37 AM

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Answer 1

Jack-19

Level 8

46,176 points

Sep 8, 2022 01:02 AM in response to Justakiwi

Hello,

If all your files are in iCloud, you should be able to sign in with your Apple ID to the new account, and your files will appear:

Set up iCloud on your Mac - Apple Support

Most of your applications (depending on their location) should automatically be available in the new account.

But other than that, there unfortunately isn't a way to "migrate" one account to another.

Jack

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Answer 2

Justakiwi Author

Level 1

30 points

Sep 8, 2022 01:11 AM in response to Jack-19

Thanks Jack

Yes the applications seem to be there but are not set up/configured as they are in my usual account. Would app data for default apps be stored in iCloud by default? Where would app data be stored for third party apps - I guess there might be some apps that would need to access their app data somehow from the original user account?

It would make better sense if the system cloned everything for the primary user account, across to all accounts by default - with the option to "uncheck" anything you didn't want migrated.

One other question - I don't have an external drive, so is it possible to do a full system backup to iCloud? I don't have a lot to backup. If so, how can I do that for settings etc or is that not possible?

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Answer 3

babowa

Level 9

78,550 points

Sep 8, 2022 10:04 AM in response to Justakiwi

Yes, you do need an external drive; iCloud is not a backup mechanism for computers - it is a syncing mechanism. If you delete something on your Mac, it will be deleted in iCloud as well.

And, it is best to download/reinstall apps rather than migrating them. As well, if you migrate your entire account, you may be transferring whatever is causing the problem as well.

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Copy all data and settings from one user account to another

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