Guide on How to Clone Mac Hard Drive to SSD

Jean updated on Feb 26, 2024 to Mac Backup and Recovery | How-to Articles

Download the most popular Mac cloning software to clone Mac hard drive to SSD without reinstalling operating system and applications. It is a safe, complete and easy-to-use way to upgrade or replace Mac hard drive with a new HDD/SSD and make a bootable hard drive for Mac.

Why Is It Recommended to Clone Mac Hard Drive to SSD?

When it comes to the 'clone' topic, what do you expect the most? We usually recommend the way of cloning your Mac hard drive in case you decide to upgrade your Mac hard drive with a solid-state drive, replace an old or corrupted Mac drive with a newly bought one, or perhaps try to create a bootable hard drive for Mac.

There are many reasons why you might want to clone your Mac hard drive to an SSD. Solid-state drives are much faster than traditional hard drives, which can speed up your computer's overall performance. They're also more reliable, meaning that you're less likely to experience data loss due to hardware failure. SSDs are also more energy-efficient, which can help to prolong the life of your battery. And because they don't have any moving parts, they're less likely to be damaged by bumps or drops. Cloning your hard drive to an SSD is a great way to upgrade your computer without having to start from scratch.

What's the Best Mac Cloning Software?

Mac cloning software provides an easy way to create an exact copy of your hard drive. This can be useful for a variety of reasons, such as creating a backup in case your computer crashes or wanting to transfer all of your data to a new Mac. There are many different cloning software programs available, so it can be difficult to know which one to choose. Here are a few things to consider when selecting cloning software:

- Ease of use: The best cloning software is easy to use, even if you're not tech-savvy. Look for a program with a user-friendly interface that walks you through the cloning process step-by-step.

- Compatibility: Make sure the cloning software you choose is compatible with your operating system and the type of hard drive you're using. Otherwise, you won't be able to create an accurate copy of your data.

- Features: Some cloning software programs offer additional features, such as the ability to create bootable backups or schedule automatic backups. Decide which features are most important to you and look for a program that offers them.

By keeping these things in mind, you can choose the best Mac cloning software for your needs. Here is several recommended software:

  1. #1. EaseUS Todo Backup for Mac
  2. #2. Carbon Copy Cloner
  3. #3. Disk Utility

EaseUS Todo Backup for Mac is a professional backup, clone, and synchronization utility for Mac devices. It allows Mac users to clone everything from one hard drive to another easily. Carbon Copy Cloner, also called CCC, is one of the best Mac cloning software that enables Mac users to clone from HDD to SSD or M.2 SSD. Disk Utility is the macOS built-in feature. Users can mount/unmount, erase, format, and clone (with the restore feature) disks and USB flash drives.

Here in this article, we will use EaseUS Todo Backup for Mac as an example to show you how to clone a hard drive on Mac.

How to Clone Mac Hard Drive to SSD (Make a bootable Mac hard drive)?

Cloning a Mac hard drive to an SSD is a simple process that can be done using any number of software programs. The example we choose here is EaseUS Todo Backup for Mac, the process will take a few minutes to complete, but once it is finished, the SSD will be an exact copy of the Mac hard drive.

Step 1. Connect both hard drive and SSD to Mac computer and launch EaseUS Todo Backup for Mac. 

Step 2. From the drop-down list, select the volume you want to clone, which should be the source disk.

Step 3. In the To drop-down list, select the SSD as the destination disk.

Step 4. Set up the disk cloning properties. Here, you are allowed to exclude files or folders if necessary. 

Step 5. Finally, click the Start button to execute the cloning operation. 

Before Cloning Your Mac Hard Drive: Things You Should Keep in Mind

Before you clone your Mac hard drive, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

First, be sure to back up your data. This will ensure that you have a copy of all your important files in case something goes wrong during the cloning process.

Second, make sure that you have enough free space on your destination drive. Cloning creates an exact copy of your source drive, so it will take up the same amount of space.

Finally, be sure to use a reputable cloning tool. There are many different cloning tools available, and not all of them are created equal. Choosing a reliable tool will help to ensure that the cloning process goes smoothly and that your data is transferred safely to your new drive.

FAQs about Cloning Mac Hard Drive

1. Is it possible to clone a Mac hard drive?

The short answer is yes, it is possible to clone a Mac hard drive. This can be done using a variety of software programs that are available on the market. However, before you clone your hard drive, it is important to understand what this process entails. Cloning a hard drive simply means making an exact copy of the contents of one drive onto another. This can be useful if you want to upgrade to a larger hard drive, or if you want to create a backup in case something happens to your original drive. 

2. How do I clone a Mac hard drive with Disk Utility?

Step 1. Launch Disk Utility from the Applications folder or Spotlight.
Step 2. Select the hard drive that you want to clone in the left sidebar.
Step 3. Click the Clone button in the toolbar.
Step 4. Choose a destination for the clone in the dialog that appears. This can be another hard drive or an external storage device.
Step 5. Click Clone to begin the cloning process. Depending on the size of your hard drive, this may take some time to complete.
Step 6. When the cloning is finished, you'll have a complete duplicate of your original hard drive on the destination device. You can now use this clone as a backup or bootable recovery volume.

3. How do I transfer my Mac OS to a new hard drive?

There are a few different ways to transfer your Mac OS to a new hard drive. One option is to use the Migration Assistant utility that comes with your Mac. This utility will walk you through the process of transferring your files, settings, and applications to a new drive.

Another option is to use Time Machine, which is a built-in backup utility for Mac. With Time Machine, you can back up your entire system to an external drive, and then restore that backup to your new drive.

Finally, you can also use third-party software to clone your old drive and create an exact copy on your new drive. Whichever method you choose, be sure to follow the instructions carefully to ensure a successful transfer.