Apple - Changing SSD's and keeping everything
How can I take everything from the current SSD and then upload it to the new SSD - effectively giving me the same machine without installing OSX all over again?
I upgraded my SSD some time ago in a similar configuration (128 GB->256 GB, MacBook Pro 15-inch early 2011).
Below is the procedure that worked for me, but note that for this to work your Mac must support OS X Internet Recovery. According to KB article "OS X: About OS X Recovery" (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718):
Mac models introduced after public availability of OS X Lion include the ability to start up directly from an Internet-based version of the OS X Recovery system.
which means that models manufactured before July 20, 2011 need a firmware update.
In your case you must have MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010) EFI Firmware Update 2.5 or later installed, and that's probably the case, because most firmware updates are available as regular updates in Software Update/App Store.
To find out whether it is installed: Go to Apple menu > About This Mac, press System Report...:
and check if Boot ROM/SMC Version Information is MB71.0039.B0E or greater. If that's the case, you're good to go. Otherwise install it.
These are the steps:
Back up old SSD with Time Machine by selecting "Back Up Now" in menu bar:
Shut down Mac and replace SSD.
Start Mac while holding down ⌘-R and choose "Restore From Time Machine Backup":
Choose new SSD drive as target, wait until restore is completed and reboot.
This will let you keep everything.
One option is to get an external drive enclosure and plug the new SSD into it. Use a tool like SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner to image the old SSD onto the new one. Then switch the drives around, keeping the old one as a backup drive.
Best practice IMO:
- Get an external HDD mount(or SDD mount - they are the same), and put your current SSD in it leaving it at it is right now.
- Put your new SSD in the Macbook and install a clean version of OSX.
- You can now copy everything you think you need from the one SSD to the other, leaving you with a clean install without possible installed rubbish and overhead files you do not need. (This will always leave you with more empty space than doing a full copy of your current SSD)
Since it's at maximum 128GB we're talking about, this is the best way without getting corrupt data or files.