Hi,
Could any one guide on how we can migrate data between two managed macOS devices and same for iOS devices?
Question
Data migration between managed macs and iphones
+1
+26We’ll need more detail to give a precise answer.
That said, generally speaking, data migration isn’t something MDM handles, Apple doesn’t provide those controls. The supported options are:
-
macOS - Users can use Time Machine or Migration Assistant for a full transfer. If it’s just specific files, you could script something against an SMB share, but the cleanest approach is having users back up their own data before moving to the new device.
-
iOS - iCloud Backup or iTunes/Finder backups are the only real supported options. MDM can’t move local data.
For apps like Office, most user data is already in the cloud, so signing in will sync it automatically. But for things like photos or personal files, you’re really looking at iCloud, OneDrive, or other user-driven backups.
TL;DR: locally stored data shouldn’t be considered supported or guaranteed for transfer.
+21We’ll need more detail to give a precise answer.
That said, generally speaking, data migration isn’t something MDM handles, Apple doesn’t provide those controls. The supported options are:
-
macOS - Users can use Time Machine or Migration Assistant for a full transfer. If it’s just specific files, you could script something against an SMB share, but the cleanest approach is having users back up their own data before moving to the new device.
-
iOS - iCloud Backup or iTunes/Finder backups are the only real supported options. MDM can’t move local data.
For apps like Office, most user data is already in the cloud, so signing in will sync it automatically. But for things like photos or personal files, you’re really looking at iCloud, OneDrive, or other user-driven backups.
TL;DR: locally stored data shouldn’t be considered supported or guaranteed for transfer.
This is the answer. Just make sure to UNCHECK the “system options” or whatever in migration assistant for macOS at enrollment IF you’re enrolling the new device into JAMF. iOS/iPadOS works great with iCloud restore at enrollment without any additional settings or whatnot.
I find your lack of faith disturbing
I use this for migrating data between managed devices. https://github.com/IBM/mac-ibm-migration-tool
+1 Thanks
For MacOS:
We use Apple Migration Assistant to transfer only user’s home folder and uncheck everything else. We get the following failures:
- The user from source mac does not appear at all.
- Migration assistant does not start at all. It logs out closes apps but then comes back to login screen.
- It fails in between and the user would be greyed out afterwards i.e. it won’t give an option to replace the user on the new one.
For iOS:
If a back is made on Finder/itunes then at the time of restore it fails to restore. Only icloud works but nit every one has an icloud account so that is also something problematic.
and Thanks
+20We have staff and students log into the Managed Apple accounts. For MacBooks we make sure they check the box to backup the desktop and documents folder. Once they sign into their Apple accounts on their new device their files transfer over.
+21We have staff and students log into the Managed Apple accounts. For MacBooks we make sure they check the box to backup the desktop and documents folder. Once they sign into their Apple accounts on their new device their files transfer over.
You guys use less than 5GB? I loathe how we don’t get more with managed accounts.
+8Hi,
Could any one guide on how we can migrate data between two managed macOS devices and same for iOS devices?
For iOS backup,
you might try using Apple Configurator. I haven’t tested it in a while,
but hopefully this brings us closer to a solution.
+20We have staff and students log into the Managed Apple accounts. For MacBooks we make sure they check the box to backup the desktop and documents folder. Once they sign into their Apple accounts on their new device their files transfer over.
You guys use less than 5GB? I loathe how we don’t get more with managed accounts.
We get 200GB with out managed accounts.
+1Thanks everyone for the great suggestions!
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