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Guide to Switch from One MacBook to Another

This guide provides step-by-step instructions to migrate your development environment and configuration from your old MacBook to a new one.

Step 1: Install Applications on New MacBook

On your new laptop, install necessary applications from the SelfServe portal:

  1. Install core applications you use daily (examples: VS Code, Microsoft Office, Sublime Text, Firefox, Adobe Reader, iTerm2, IntelliJ IDEA, etc.)
  2. Log in to communication and productivity apps:
    • Slack
    • Microsoft Teams
    • Outlook
    • Any other tools relevant to your work

Use your justice account for all authentication.

Step 2: Export Homebrew Packages from Old MacBook

On your old laptop, export all Homebrew-installed applications:

# List all installed Homebrew packages
brew list

# Update Homebrew and create a Brewfile
brew update
brew bundle dump --file Brewfile --describe --force

Verify the Export (Optional)

To confirm all packages were captured:

brew bundle list --file ~/Brewfile

Step 3: Transfer Brewfile to New MacBook

Transfer the ~/Brewfile from your old laptop to your new one using:

  • OneDrive (if you are logged into both machines)
  • Slack

Place the file in an accessible location (e.g., ~/Downloads/Brewfile)

Step 4: Import Homebrew Packages on New MacBook

On your new laptop, install all packages from the Brewfile:

brew update
brew bundle --file ~/Downloads/Brewfile

Installing Cask Applications

For macOS-specific applications (cask installations), ensure they are installed to the ~/Applications directory:

# Install a cask application to ~/Applications
brew install --cask --force intellij-idea --appdir=~/Applications

# Uninstall a cask application
brew uninstall --cask --force intellij-idea

Step 5: Copy Shell Configuration (.zshrc)

Transfer your shell configuration file from the old MacBook:

# On old MacBook - display your zsh configuration
cat ~/.zshrc

Copy the output and create the same file on your new MacBook:

# On new MacBook - create or update ~/.zshrc with the content from your old machine
nano ~/.zshrc  # or use your preferred editor

You can transfer the file via OneDrive or Slack if preferred.

Step 6: Copy SSH Configuration

SSH keys and configuration are essential for accessing Git repositories and VMs:

# Copy the entire ~/.ssh/ directory from old to new MacBook
# This includes private keys, public keys, and SSH config files

Important: Ensure you copy everything in the ~/.ssh/ directory to avoid SSH authentication issues when accessing Crime VMs and other infrastructure.

Step 7: Crime Setup (If Applicable)

If you work with the Crime infrastructure, follow the setup guides on your new MacBook:

Step 8: Crime VPN Setup - Tunnelblick

Transfer your VPN configuration:

  1. Export the VPN config from your old MacBook

    • Export the existing Crime VPN configuration file from Tunnelblick

  2. Transfer the .tblkSetup file to your new MacBook

    • Transfer the .tblkSetup file to your new machine using OneDrive, Slack, or another secure method

  • You can export the configuration by right-clicking on the Tunnelblick icon in the menu bar, selecting “VPN Details”, then selecting your Crime VPN configuration and clicking “Export Configuration”.

    tunnelblick_export

    (Please note when you export, it take some time to generate the file and it will be saved in your Desktop folder by default)

  1. Request Temporary Admin Access

  2. Import the VPN configuration on your new MacBook

    • Open Tunnelblick and import the .tblkSetup file when you have the Admin rights
    • Verify the connection works before proceeding

Step 9: Verify Setup

Verify your new MacBook is properly configured:

  • Open F5 VPN from https://portal.platform.hmcts.net/ and confirm it connects correctly
  • If you have Crime access, verify Crime VPN connectivity
    • Connect to Tunnelblick nonlive VPN
    • Check Gerrit is accessible - https://codereview.mdv.cpp.nonlive/

Step 10: Return Your Old MacBook

Once you have verified your new MacBook is fully configured and working correctly:

  1. Request the return of your old MacBook using the Equipment Return Request
  2. Follow the instructions provided in the ServiceNow request form
  3. Arrange collection or delivery of your old MacBook as instructed

References

This page was last reviewed on 14 January 2026. It needs to be reviewed again on 14 January 2027 by the page owner platops-build-notices .
This page was set to be reviewed before 14 January 2027 by the page owner platops-build-notices. This might mean the content is out of date.