How to transfer saved catalog from laptop to new computer?

[Lawrence30311258uplm]

Just lost my laptop I did all my editing on.  Backed up Lightroom yesterday.  How do I sign in and access those backups?   My other computer is a Mac which I've never edited in lightroom on before.  I do not have the original images with the lost laptop.  Will this matter?  Any help appreciated!

[Geoff the kiwi]

I am not clear which Lightroom version you are using. Is it the cloud based Lightroom or the desktop based Lightroom Classic?

[Rob_Cullen]

Having "Backed up Lightroom yesterday." I can only assume you are using Lightroom-CLASSIC, or an 'old' perpetual version.  The 'Cloud based' Lightroom does not have a "backup" function as the Catalog (and photos) is stored in the ecosystem Cloud.

If that be so (using Lightroom-Classic)- on your "other computer" you will need to install the CC Desktop App and install Lightroom-Classic.

Then you will need to copy across the Catalog- from a backup.

And you will need to have the original images- restored from a backup - that the catalog can access.

If you do not have BOTH a Catalog and original images anywhere, then I only have sympathy.

(although there is a method to restore very small jpgs from a catalog only, as a very last resort.)