You're new to Mac! Backups include all your apps.
You're new to Mac! Backups include all your apps.
Just got a apple certified refurbished 2015 rMBP and loving it. it came with el capitan. I want to do a clean install of sierra. How do i backup the apps that came with my mac? (imovie, pages, numbers, etc etc) Coming from using windows my whole life, app installations in windows is more complicated and you cant simply always drag an app folder to a hard drive to back it up but so far with macOS, the apps just seem to sit in the application folder, there is no hidden files. Do i simply drag all the apps i want to backup from the application folder to a backup location and drag them back into application folder after a fresh install? or is there more to it?
They should be part of the OSX installation, according to my knowledge. Edit: Don't worry... https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/pages/id...-app-pages
Absolutely, I understand. A fresh install would erase everything, so you'd need to purchase again. But since mine are already set up, can I just copy them by dragging? Thanks for asking.
For native applications such as iMovie, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, etc., you generally don't need to back them up because they are free to download and install again. If you wish to safeguard them, you can use Time Machine to create backups on an external drive. Applications that are difficult to restore from backups are typically paid services like Adobe CC or non-Apple software. These may generate registration files and folders in the Library and Application Support sections. Simply transferring apps from the Applications folder to an external drive isn't sufficient. Regardless of whether you receive something free from Apple's App Store or have bought it, you can restore without needing to purchase again. Edit: according to my understanding, the entire iWork suite remains free with all newer OSX versions starting from 2014. As long as you don't use an OSX version released before 2014, you can obtain the iWork suite at no cost.
If it was properly refurbished, the paid applications should have been deleted and the previous owner’s account erased. This means you only have the standard stock apps, which don’t require backup.
I’m not sure what you’re asking. If you bought those apps from the app store, you can locate them in the "purchased" section. Rather than updating through your current system, you could simply update from the Sierra version. Open the app store and click "update." This is usually the simplest method. You don’t have to reinstall everything each time. Just back up your device by connecting an external drive and saving it as a backup. That’s complete.
The applications remain linked to the purchase of a Macintosh Computer. After a clean installation, the programs should appear on the machine or be available again via the Mac App Store. If it was a genuine refurbished unit, your AppleID will automatically credit the apps once you log in. If not, reach out to Apple support—they’ll add them to your account. I’m fully confident about that, just be respectful to them. You could also bypass this process and simply update your current setup without any changes.