How to prep and clone SSD with MacOS Catalina

Introducción

Of course you can use the TimeMachine backup to restore your settings and files, but if you don’t have one or if you don’t want to make a backup then check this out.

Qué necesitas

Paso 1 Prep

How to prep and clone SSD with MacOS Catalina, Prep: paso 1, imagen 1 de 1

Hardware needed:
SSD of greater size than existing used data.
Sata SSD to USB adapter

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Paso 2 Requirements

Plug in the new SSD via the adapter
Ensure you have Catalina installed currently on your Mac

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Paso 3 Install Catalina on the New SSD

How to prep and clone SSD with MacOS Catalina, Install Catalina on the New SSD: paso 3, imagen 1 de 1

Boot to recovery by holding cmd + r immediately after the device boots up. Hold until you see the apple logo
Choose Reinstall macOS

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Paso 4 Catalina for the file structure

BE SURE TO INSTALL TO THE NEW DRIVE
Do not reinstall to your existing drive
The reason to do this is to set up the file structure in the specific way that Catalina needs

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Paso 5 Disk Utility

How to prep and clone SSD with MacOS Catalina, Disk Utility: paso 5, imagen 1 de 1

Once the new SSD has catalina on it
Exit the setup menu, power off
Reboot to recovery mode using the same cmd + R method as before.
Use the top menu View>>Show All Devices

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Paso 6 Clone/Restore

How to prep and clone SSD with MacOS Catalina, Clone/Restore: paso 6, imagen 1 de 1

Since there are two partitions this step will be done twice.
Select the new (currently external) SSD that has catalina on it. Select the first partition. I've called my disk MacGuyver
Then Click restore and choose the corresponding partition on your existing Catalina disk still installed in the computer
Once that is complete Repeat the recovery process for the second partition, this may have the word - Data on the end of the named disk.
This step is critical. The goal is to recover your data from the old drive to the new drive. Catalina uses two partitions, so the step must be done twice. This can take a while...

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Paso 7 Replace the drive

Follow the guide below to replace the hardware
iFixit Link to replace the HDD with a SSD
Boot into recovery mode again cmd + R

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Paso 8 Set the boot disk

Once in recovery mode, choose disk utility.
At the top left find the option to set the boot disk. This should be the new SSD that you just installed
I actually ran first aid on each partition before doing this step. I'm not sure if this was necessary.

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Paso 9 Boot it UP!

How to prep and clone SSD with MacOS Catalina, Boot it UP!: paso 9, imagen 1 de 1

Restart and it should boot like you never left.
Enter your password and login!
You can now use your old drive for a backup, time machine, or extra storage now that you have the adapter to use it!