Creating a Bootable Clone of OCLP Drive for MacPro5,1: CCC, SuperDuper, or iCloud?

When it comes to creating a bootable clone of an OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) drive, especially for a MacPro5,1, both Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC) and SuperDuper are viable options. Here's a brief guide to help you decide:

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Using Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC):

   • CCC is a robust tool for creating exact, bootable clones of your entire drive.
   • Open CCC and select your OCLP drive as the source and your backup drive as the destination.
   • Proceed with the cloning process. CCC will create a bootable clone of your drive, including the EFI partition used by OpenCore.
   • Once completed, you can boot from this clone as you would from the original OCLP drive.

2. Using SuperDuper:

   • Similar to CCC, SuperDuper can create bootable backups.
   • Select your OCLP drive as the source and the destination backup drive.
   • Ensure you opt for a full clone to make the backup drive bootable.
   • After the process completes, test the clone to ensure it boots correctly.

3. Considerations for iCloud:

   • iCloud is not typically used for creating bootable clones. It's more suited for backing up your personal files and data.
   • Using iCloud to restore to a new OCLP drive involves re-installing the operating system and then downloading your data from iCloud, which is not the same as cloning the drive.
   • This method is less reliable for a complete system backup and won't create a bootable drive.

4. Creating a New Bootable OCLP Drive:

   • If you prefer starting fresh, you can create a new bootable OCLP drive and manually transfer files from iCloud or a local backup.
   • This method gives you a clean start but requires more time to set up and restore files.

5. Testing the Clone:

   • Whichever method you choose, it's crucial to test the cloned drive to ensure it boots and functions exactly like the original.
   • Reboot your MacPro5,1 while holding the Option key, and choose the cloned drive to boot from.

6. Regular Backups:

   • Regularly update your cloned backup, especially after significant changes to the original drive, to ensure you have a recent and reliable backup.

Conclusion: CCC or SuperDuper are both excellent choices for creating a bootable clone of an OCLP drive. They provide a more straightforward and reliable method compared to using iCloud for this specific purpose. Remember, regular backups are key to maintaining a safe and recoverable Hackintosh environment.