Time Machine Restore

I need some advice on how to get Time Machine backups to restore on my late 2016 MBP and my M1 Pro MBP. Both MBP’s are using the same Apple ID and admin accounts. Prior to purchasing the M1 MBP i used an external SSD to create Time Machine backups and had no issues restoring my late 2016 MBP. Since i purchased the M1 MBP the restore button in Time Machine is greyed out on both MBP’s. Before doing anything drastic, i just want to confirm I can use Time Machine to back up my new M1 MBP and my late 2016 MBP if they are using the same Apple ID and admin accounts. I am using separate external SSD’s for each MBP.


Thanks

MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)

Posted on May 9, 2023 2:44 PM

Reply
Question marked as ⚠️ Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 9, 2023 6:44 PM

the same Apple-Id does not figure into this process in any way.


What you are calling 'the same' Admin account, even if using the same name and same password, if created on two different computers are Two DIFFERENT Accounts, that happen to use the same password.


The backup for a particular computer with a particular serial number and Ethernet ID are NOT the same backup as the backup for a computer with a different serial number and Ethernet ID. They can NOT be shared. You must decide whether that backup belongs to the old computer, -OR- take steps to "inherit" the existing backup and use it going forward for the new computer, ONLY. If you take specs to inherit the old backup, it will NOT work for the old computer Any longer.


If you were to install a different mainboard with a different serial number, the old backup would no longer be recognized as the computer's backup.


A backup is specific to the Computer being backed up. A backup is not specific to one Admin account. It will back up all Accounts and everything on every MacOS native format attached drive.

Similar questions

3 replies
Sort By: 
Question marked as ⚠️ Top-ranking reply

May 9, 2023 6:44 PM in response to MiPad1026

the same Apple-Id does not figure into this process in any way.


What you are calling 'the same' Admin account, even if using the same name and same password, if created on two different computers are Two DIFFERENT Accounts, that happen to use the same password.


The backup for a particular computer with a particular serial number and Ethernet ID are NOT the same backup as the backup for a computer with a different serial number and Ethernet ID. They can NOT be shared. You must decide whether that backup belongs to the old computer, -OR- take steps to "inherit" the existing backup and use it going forward for the new computer, ONLY. If you take specs to inherit the old backup, it will NOT work for the old computer Any longer.


If you were to install a different mainboard with a different serial number, the old backup would no longer be recognized as the computer's backup.


A backup is specific to the Computer being backed up. A backup is not specific to one Admin account. It will back up all Accounts and everything on every MacOS native format attached drive.

Reply

Aug 9, 2023 4:49 PM in response to BeldarConehead

The backup was made on a particular Mac. For ordinary Backup and Restore purposes, that computer owns its backup. if you want to use a different Mac as your main Mac, you can inherit the old backup and add your new backups to it if you wish.


if you want to do a full Restore to the same Mac that made the backup, or restore an individual file to that same Mac, you can freely do so without issue.


If you want to copy the User Accounts to a different Mac, that is NOT a Restore operation. To copy to a different Mac, you use Migration Assistant.


Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support



.

Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Time Machine Restore

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.