Updated: March 21, 2023
129 Views
Was it helpful?
author
by Rostyslav Vieliiev
Tech Expert & Writer
691 resolved issues

I have two MacBooks and what to merge the data on each

I want to avoid duplication of data
author

Hello, thank you for using Howly. I’ll be happy to help you out! May I ask your name?

Customer Replay

*****

author

Nice to meet you, *****!
Did you login to your Apple ID on both of them?

Customer Replay

I have two MacBooks and two iPads. One of the MacBooks is not synced with the other.

image

author


Do you use the same Apple ID for your devices?

Customer Replay

I do log in with both and the same Apple ID

banner 3
author

Good.
Did you try anything before contacting us?

Customer Replay

No, I wanted to ask first

author

Can we use your iPad to sync your second Mac?

Customer Replay

The files are my main concern
I do not have the files on my iPad
My iPhones and iPads have the same data base on contacts with one of the MacBooks but not the other MacBook

author

Try to do it this way, please:
Go to System Preferences.
Click the Apple ID icon.
Make sure iCloud Drive is ticked and you are signed into iCloud.
Click the Options button to the right of iCloud.
Tick the Desktop & Documents Folders checkbox.
Click the Done button at the bottom.
Wait for it to sync your files and folders. It could take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to actually sync your Desktop and Documents folders and it depends on the number and size of files stored in them.

Customer Replay

I will try that. The files are large so it may take a while

banner 6
author

It's okay, I will wait as long as it requires.

Customer Replay

Where is the Apple ID icon in Preferences?
One has System Settings and the the other System Preferences

author

Do you see your profile picture there? For Apple ID.
Usually at the top of this list.

Customer Replay

No. let me look furtehr

author

Take your time.

Customer Replay

At the very top left I have my name
Right not left

banner 9
author

Try to click on it.

Customer Replay

Next is a search magnifying glass

author

Try to use your name, you see.

Customer Replay

When I click on it shows my name and below log in

author

Okay, thank you for checking.

Customer Replay

window and below that users and groups

author

Can you make a photo or a screenshot of the Preferences window on your Mac, please?
To attach pictures to our chat, you need to press the paper clip button in the lower right corner of the chat window. Then you have either to choose an image on your device or take a photo right away. Then confirm sending.

Customer Replay

I hit the paperclip and it takes me to desktop files. How do i take a photo

author

To take a screenshot, press and hold these three keys together: Shift, Command, and 3.
If you see a thumbnail in the corner of your screen, click it to edit the screenshot. Or wait for the screenshot to save to your desktop.

Customer Replay

Visitor uploaded: Screenshot.png
Type: image/png
Size: 1713626

Customer Replay

I clicked on iCloud and it shows all but Safari clicked

author

Noted, thank you!

Customer Replay

Visitor uploaded: Screenshot.png
Type: image/png
Size: 1529752

author

Click here, please!
Agent uploaded: image.png
Type: image/png
Size: 70635

Customer Replay

On my other MacBook, I updated the operating system yesterday to the latest from Apple so the look is different

author

Okay, got it!

Customer Replay

I have done that and went to System Preferences and did as you suggested
Visitor uploaded: Screenshot.png
Type: image/png
Size: 2157253

author

Click the Desktop & Documents Folders checkbox
Click the Done button at the bottom.
Wait for it to sync your files and folders.

Customer Replay

I have checked on the other MacBook and the most recent files on this Mac are on the other one too
It would appear that is all done

author

Great!
Is there anything else I can do for you today?

Customer Replay

Thats all fine. Many thanks
Actually one more thing

Customer Replay

I updated a contact on this MacBook and it has not updated on the other one but it has on my iPhones

author

Noted, thank you.

Customer Replay

I checked and the iPads updated

author

Noted, thank you!
You can install your contacts to your iCloud on your updated MacBook and update your other MacBook manually.

Customer Replay

OK

author

Do you need me to provide you with instructions?
Thank you for chatting with us today!
We are available 24/7, you can refer your questions anytime. Have a nice one!

https://imagedelivery.net/cT5c9Z7JJOphL0SI-n4Eyw/b9eee2a5-962d-4544-05e7-f6d92d43a900/width=80
Our expert Rostyslav is online and ready to resolve your issues
691 resolved issues
Share on:
Copy to clipbord
Was it helpful?

Get answers until you're satisfied

/images/experts/tech/DannisK.webp
/images/experts/tech/StacyS.webp
/images/experts/tech/BorisP.webp

14 verified experts are online now

Dannis K.

Expert's Assistant

Dannis K.

Welcome! How can I help you with your question?

Ask your question here

No comments yet...

What about starting a discussion? Be the first to share your thoughts!

Write a comment

We use cookies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, and analyze site traffic.
More info