Migrate to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support (2024)

Use Migration Assistant to copy all your documents, apps, user accounts, and settings from another computer to a new Mac.

Do you need these steps?

The steps in this article describe how to transfer content from one Mac to another Mac over Wi-Fi. It is also possible to transfer contentfrom a Time Machine backup, offrom a Windows PC, offrom an iPhone.

Before you start

Use Migration Assistant

You're now ready to use Migration Assistant to move content from the old Mac to the new one. Migration Assistant copies files from your old Mac, but doesn't delete them.

Migrate to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support (1)

On your new Mac

  1. Open Migration Assistant on your new Mac. Then click Continue.

    • Migration Assistant is located in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder. To open the Utilities folder directly, choose Go > Utilities from the Finder menu bar. Oruse Spotlightto search for Migration Assistant. If your Mac starts up with a Setup Assistant asking for details such as your country and network, continue to the next step because Setup Assistant includes a Migration Assistant.

  2. When Migration Assistant asks you for permission to make changes, enter your administrator password and then click OK.

  3. When asked how you want to transfer your data, select the option to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk. Then click Continue.

    Migrate to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support (2)

On your old Mac

  1. Open Migration Assistant on your old Mac. Then click Continue.

  2. When asked how you want to transfer your data, choose the option to transfer to another Mac. Then click Continue.

On your new Mac

When asked to choose a Mac, Time Machine backup, or other startup disk, choose the other Mac. Then click Continue.

Migrate to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support (3)

On your old Mac

If you see a security code, make sure it is the same code as on your new Mac. Then click Continue.

On your new Mac

  1. Migration Assistant now catalogs all the content on your old Mac and calculates how much storage space is used by your apps, user accounts, files, folders, and settings. This may take several minutes. When you're done, select the information you want to transfer.

    Migrate to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support (4)
  2. Before you click Continue, you should understand what it means to transfer a user account. In the example shown here, Danny Rico is a user account on the old Mac. If an account on the new Mac has the same name, Migration Assistant will ask if you want to change or replace the name:

    • Rename: The account on your old Mac will appear as an additional user on your new Mac with a separate login and home folder.

    • Replace: The account on your old Mac replaces the account of the same name on your new Mac.

  3. Large transfers can take hours to complete and may appear to be interrupted occasionally. You may want to start in the evening and complete the migration at night. Click Continue to start the transfer.

  4. After Migration Assistant completes, exit Migration Assistant on both computers and then sign in to the migrated account on your new Mac to view its files.

If you need helpcontact Apple support.

If you're not keeping your old Mac,Learn what to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your old Mac.

Release date:

Migrate to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support (2024)

FAQs

Does the Migration Assistant transfer everything to my new Mac? ›

Use Migration Assistant to copy all of your documents, apps, user accounts, and settings to a new Mac from another computer.

Why does the Migration Assistant not work? ›

If the transfer isn't successful

Then make sure that you're using the correct version of Windows Migration Assistant on your PC. If you installed antivirus software, firewall software, or VPN software on either computer, turn off that software before using Migration Assistant.

How long does it take for Mac Migration Assistant? ›

How long does Migration Assistant take? The length of time it takes to transfer files from one Mac to another or from a Windows PC to a Mac depends on the combined size of files in GB, the number of files, and the speed of your Wi-Fi network. It could take anything from a few minutes to a few hours.

Should I use Time Machine to transfer to a new Mac? ›

Another option for transferring data from one Mac to another is to use Time Machine. This is especially handy if your old Mac isn't available, but you still have a recent backup. To take this route, make sure the Time Machine backup is available through an external drive or other source.

What information does Migration Assistant transfer? ›

If you didn't transfer your information to your Mac when you first set it up, use Migration Assistant at any time to transfer your documents, apps, user accounts, and settings. You can transfer your information from a Mac or PC, or from a disk or Time Machine backup.

What happens when you use Migration Assistant? ›

If both your old and new Macs are running macOS Sierra or later, Migration Assistant creates a peer-to-peer Wi-Fi network to transfer files. If either Mac is running Mac OS X El Capitan or earlier, you'll need to make sure both Macs are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Why isn't my Mac migration working? ›

If Mac Migration Assistant is unable to connect, ensure the Mac you're moving data from has a name. Go to System Settings > General > Sharing and look at the bottom of the window. If Local hostname is empty, click Edit and add a name. If the problem continues, try restarting your router.

Does Migration Assistant wipe old Mac? ›

Migration Assistant copies but does not delete files from your old Mac.

Why is Migration Assistant not picking up other Mac? ›

Poor WiFi connection tends to be the major reason making Migration Assistant unable to connect Mac to Mac. You can restart your router to see if Migration Assistant is able to connect with Macs afterward.

Why does Mac Migration Assistant take so long? ›

When Mac Migration Assistant is slow or stuck, make sure both devices are running the latest software updates. Here's a reminder of how to check for software updates on your Mac: Go to System Settings from the Apple menu. Navigate to General > Software update.

What is the best way to transfer to a new Mac? ›

Use Migration Assistant to transfer your data over a wired or wireless network, or by connecting your old and new computers with an Ethernet cable. On both Macs, open a Finder window, go to Applications, open the Utilities folder, then double-click Migration Assistant and follow the onscreen instructions.

How to speed up Migration Assistant? ›

Transfer will be quicker if using a Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable with the Thunderbolt logo on the sleeve of each connector. and can transfer up at up to 10 Gbps on most Macs manufactured in the last few years. If using Wi-FI keep both computers near each other throughout the migration process.

How long does it take to transfer everything from one Mac to another? ›

It depends on how much data you're transferring and the method of transfer. Migrating 20-30 GB over a Thunderbolt 3 cable will take a few minutes. Migrating 100-200 GB over Wi-Fi will take a few hours.

What to do before switching macs? ›

Before you begin, it helps to know which macOS your Mac is using.
  1. Back up or transfer your files. ...
  2. Sign out of iTunes. ...
  3. Sign out of iCloud. ...
  4. Sign out of iMessage. ...
  5. Unpair Bluetooth devices (optional) ...
  6. Erase your Mac. ...
  7. Reinstall macOS. ...
  8. Reset NVRAM.
Jun 27, 2023

How to clean up a Mac before transferring to a new Mac? ›

How to clean & optimize your Mac
  1. Update software. Remember that cleaning your Mac is just one step in optimization. ...
  2. Uninstall apps you don't use. ...
  3. Delete large and old files. ...
  4. Empty the Trash. ...
  5. Optimize your storage. ...
  6. Clean up cache. ...
  7. Delete unneeded Downloads. ...
  8. Remove old backups.
Mar 28, 2024

What does Mac Migration Assistant move? ›

Use Migration Assistant to copy all of your documents, apps, user accounts and settings to a new Mac from another computer.

How do I transfer everything from my old Mac to my new Mac without Migration Assistant? ›

If you find that Migration Assistant isn't working, your old Mac doesn't support it, or you simply don't want to use it, there are other ways you can move your data, including: Migrate data from Mac to Mac with AirDrop. Use File Sharing to copy files from Mac to Mac. Clone data from Mac to Mac via Time Machine backup.

What cable do I need to transfer data from old Mac to new Mac? ›

Tip: For fastest migration, connect your old computer to your iMac Pro with a cable, such as a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable. If you used Time Machine to back up your files from another Mac to a storage device (such as an external disk), you can copy the files from the device to your iMac Pro.

How do I transfer everything from my old laptop to my new one? ›

  1. Manual transfer with an external hard drive. ...
  2. Data transfer cable. ...
  3. Transfer locally over Wi-Fi or LAN. ...
  4. Transfer via cloud storage. ...
  5. Specialist PC migration software. ...
  6. Use Dropbox Backup to transfer files to a new PC.

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