Files on a disk with Time Machine backups cannot be accessed by another Mac using the Time Machine (TM) application. However, data can be accessed and transferred using three other options:
- Migration Assistant on the new Mac.
Finder > Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant
- By inheriting the old Mac's TM backups.
macOS Sierra: If you want a new Mac to 'inherit' your backup history - Apple Support
- If the backups were to a Time Capsule or other network drive, by directly accessing the individual backup files.
- Migration Assistant on the new Mac.
Finder > Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant
- By inheriting the old Mac's TM backups.
macOS Sierra: If you want a new Mac to 'inherit' your backup history - Apple Support
- If the backups were to a Time Capsule or other network drive, by directly accessing the individual backup files.
How To Use Time Machine On Macbook Air
Click 'Use as Backup Drive' when the dialog box asks if you want to use it with Time Machine. If the dialog box does not appear, or you want to use a drive that was previously inserted as a backup, then go to your 'System Preferences' application. Click on 'Time Machine.' Select the backup drive you want to use from the browser. Use the AC adapter to plug the Time Capsule into an open power outlet on the wall. Make sure you have a free outlet near your broadband modem to connect your Time Capsule. It's recommended that you plug the Time Capsule (and all your valued electronics) into a surge protector to prevent any damage in the event of an electrical surge. Create a Time Machine backup To create backups with Time Machine, all you need is an external storage device. After you connect the storage device and select it as your backup disk, Time Machine automatically makes hourly backups for the past 24 hours, daily backups for the past month, and weekly backups for all previous months. Time machine is a built-in, pre-installed backup program found on macOS or OSX. In this video, we show you how to setup your Time Machine backup as well as l. By default, the Time Machine appears in your Mac Toolbar on the right upper corner of your screen. You can change this in the system preferences of course. From this icon in the Mac Toolbar, you have a shortcut to the settings and info about the status of your backup. By clicking on ‘ Backup Now,' you can run an immediate backup.
