New iPad & Mac mini setup: selective transfer & separation

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Level 4

1,093 points

New iPad & Mac mini setup: selective transfer & separation

Good Day Everyone ,

I have been using Apple devices for about 17 years , in which over time acquired some issues . I just bought a new iPad and I would like a fresh start ~ choose the items that I want from the previous one . Will transferring & syncing begin as soon as I turn on the new one ? In other words , how can I keep them separate ?

After reviewing the Apple account Q & A , it looks like I will need a second account & is that the only option ?

Additionally , I'll be getting a new MacMini soon that I would like to keep separate from the previous one as well .

🤷‍♀️

iPad, iPadOS 26

Posted on Dec 12, 2025 4:29 AM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

426,923 points

Dec 12, 2025 4:39 AM in response to SteelCityAnne

All I know is when we purchased a new iPhone 8 months ago, after starting it up we were given the option to transfer data from a different device, or not to. If we didn't want to transfer things then we could just tell it not to. Likewise you can turn off iCloud syncing. However, if you turn on iCloud syncing then yes, the old data will appear on the iPhone. You can't really have different all-around configurations with a single account unless you disable iCloud on that device and never turn it on.

Change which apps sync and store data with iCloud - Apple Support

How iCloud keeps information up to date across all your devices - Apple Support

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Answer 2

SteelCityAnne Author

Level 4

1,093 points

Dec 12, 2025 5:08 AM in response to Limnos

Reply to Limnos

Thank you … good material .

👌

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