Hello, I just purchased a reconditioned M1 MacBookPro to replace my 2012 MBP that recently bit the dust. My Scrivener license allows me to use Scrivener on both my desktop mac and my MBP. Except now my MBP license cannot be gotten to as that machine is dead now. So, what I need is to have my main Scrivener license remain active on my desktop iMac, and deactivate on my MBP. I am posting this to get ahead of the curve as I hope to receive my new mac this coming Wednesday. I have some things to figure out such how to transfer licenses, if Migration Assistance is the best way to do this, etc. Scrivener is my most important app right now so that is the first thing I have to make sure I do. Thanks.
My reading of:
Suggests you can use your existing license without migrating.
If you are restoring from a full-system TimeMachine Backup, then my hunch is that it will “just work” on the new machine. Doesn’t hurt to try. If retaining the license on the M1, then re-enter it from your records. If that does not work, contact L&L Support directly as they won’t discuss licensing details here.
Please do not transfer the Scrivener installation using the Migration Assistant. That can cause a variety of problems. Rather, please reinstall Scrivener from a fresh download, either from our site or the Apple Store, depending on where you originally purchased.
More information here:
https://scrivener.tenderapp.com/help/kb/macos/installing-on-additional-computers
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I do not disbelieve you, but i have no recall of seeing problems reported here and i have done 3 migrations (from Time Machine and the “old” machine) to new machines in the last decade and i have no recollection that Scrivener did not work perfectly. I agree a fresh install from your install image will work well, but what is the real concern?
Thank you for this feedback. I am still trying to understand my options and I only learned of Migration Assistant just yesterday. I have more questions about MA and the pluses and the minuses involved. Added to this is the iMac on my desktop is running Mojave and the new (used) M1 is more advanced and is running Monterrey. They both have 1TB drives so a complete transfer is a possibility. However, I do not want to remove anything from what is still my main functioning mac, the iMac on my desk running Mojave. Neither do I want to inflict my new M1 Mac with Mojave. I am not sure about moving apps now as your caution about Scrivener makes me wonder if this is a good idea for any of my apps. Other options include setting my old Mac to target disk mode (called something different in silicone Mac) or just copying my documents and photos folders over to the new Mac. It wont arrive before Wednesday so this is a good time to do as much research on the topic as I can.
Specifically, there’s some machine specific information in the installation file.
More generally, a fresh install is the best way to make sure that the new computer has the latest version. Old (and incompatible) versions are a very common cause of “new computer and Scrivener doesn’t work” issues.
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I have a message in to L&L tech support to address this as my old MacBook Pro lo longer will boot so the suggested solution of deactivating that license is not going to work.
“If you are moving from one computer to another (rather than expanding to owning two computers) it is a good idea to deactivate Scrivener or Scapple on the old Mac (this does not apply to App Store purchases). Simply go to Scrivener/Scapple ▸ Deactivate Licence . Once deactivated the application will revert to trial mode.”
I believe Migration Assistant can be told to move just data, not applications. That’s what I do.
Installing applications from scratch as you need them also avoids cluttering up your new system with applications you no longer use and that may not even still work. After two or three migrations, that kind of cruft can really accumulate.
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Deactivating is not a bad idea, but it’s usually not necessary.
thanks. makes sense.
Yes, this is true. I agree that decluttering is a good thing, sometimes long overdue, often painful, but always worth it in the end. I have a lot to catch up with. For example, Rosetta2 is supposed to be great at allowing older Mac software to still run. But without testing I have no idea what apps or which versions of the apps this would mean. So yes, I have my work cut out for me. One of the reasons I stopped at Mojave was because Acrobat Pro which I depend on to compress encrypted PDFs before sending them via email as drafts is no longer available as a stand alone license after Mojave, at least not for any reasonable cost. I don’t do subscriptions so I will now have to find a good stand alone replacement for Acrobat. My now deceased 2012 MBP was still running High Sierra as that was the last time I could replace my HD and not have it become APFS, meaning I could still run DiskWarrior. Since the main reason I am now using my laptop is to take my Scrivener book file in a thumb drive or SD card outside, enjoy a cigar and have it read back to me using a Keyboard Maestro macro while I continue to edit, it has been very important to keep the portable directory in order. Now, sadly, I will have to let DW go completely.
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That is an issue with many apps.
Seems over 50% flag a corrupt app and instruct you to delete and re-install.
Well, while I did not experience that nor saw specific reports of such errors explained other than “warnings never use Migration Assistant!”, I can see where that might be a problem where software tied to hardware. Good news is the flaws are noticed by the system and as long as user correctly interprets the message, the fix is easy.
Sadly, correct interpretation of error messages sometimes seems to be a lost art.
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