User profile for user: Edward M. Baum
Edward M. Baum Author
User level: Level 1
43 points

Transferring files from Time Machine backup to external SSD for new iMac

I have more files than will fit in my new iMac's internal drive, so I want to use one of my good SSDs for documents and apps.


What's the best way to transfer them from a Time Machine backup of my current iMac?


Thanks in advance!


RLB in Brooklyn


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: I'm going to run my new iMac using an external hard drive for files and applications. How do I transfer files from Time Machine to the HD?

iMac (M4)

Posted on Jun 19, 2025 5:15 PM

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User profile for user: rkaufmann87
rkaufmann87
User level: Level 10
147,764 points

Jun 19, 2025 10:40 PM in response to Edward M. Baum

No that will not work, please return the Mac and purchase one with adequate storage. Once you have please follow the steps in: Setup Assistant and Migration Assistant - Apple Community


If you decide to keep the existing machine you will become pretty unhappy pretty quickly. If you bought the machine directly from Apple you have 14 days to return it for ANY reason. If you got it from a third party retailer, please contact them to learn about their return policy.




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User profile for user: Old Toad
Old Toad
User level: Level 10
213,563 points

Jun 22, 2025 11:18 AM in response to rkaufmann87

rkaufmann87 wrote:

No that will not work, please return the Mac and purchase one with adequate storage. Once you have please follow the steps in: Setup Assistant and Migration Assistant - Apple Community

If you decide to keep the existing machine you will become pretty unhappy pretty quickly. If you bought the machine directly from Apple you have 14 days to return it for ANY reason. If you got it from a third party retailer, please contact them to learn about their return policy.


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Transferring files from Time Machine backup to external SSD for new iMac

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