Monday, November 25, 2024

macos – Replicating remote MacBook Pro setup on new Mac. Possibly with using TeamViewer. Alternatives to Migration Assistant?

I’m facing a challenge in setting up my new MacBook Pro with the configuration from my older MacBook Pro, which is located at a remote site. Here’s my situation:

  • Remote MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018): Accessible via TeamViewer.

  • Local MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019), that I want to set up (here with me).

Goal: Transfer the setup (data, apps, settings) – or close to a copy – from the remote Mac to the new one

Initially, I considered using Migration Assistant, but I’ve hit a roadblock:

Migration Assistant requires both Macs to be on the same network, which isn’t possible with my remote setup.
There’s no option within Migration Assistant to copy contents to iCloud or a similar cloud storage service.

While I have full control of the remote MacBook Pro via TeamViewer, I’m unsure how to proceed with transferring the complete setup. I’m seeking alternative methods to migrate everything from the remote Mac to my new local machine.
Some options I’ve considered:

  • Manual file transfer using TeamViewer
  • Using cloud services to sync data
  • Creating a disk image of the remote Mac’s drive
  • Third-party remote backup solutions

Has anyone successfully completed a similar remote setup between two Macs? What methods or tools would you recommend for transferring everything (or as much as possible) from a remote Mac to a new local Mac?
I’m particularly interested in solutions that:

  • Can work over an internet connection (not requiring local network access)
  • Is compatible with TeamViewer remote access
  • Can transfer not just files, but also applications and system settings if possible
  • Is reasonably user-friendly

Any advice, step-by-step guides, or recommended tools would be greatly appreciated.

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