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I’ve spent a lot of time migrating my data to different Macs over the years. (If you want to review a product, you need to use it, and that means bringing enough of your own stuff to do that.) Recently with the release of the new MacBook Pro models, I had to do two additional data migrations, which led to a series of conversations on Twitter about the “correct way” to move from one Mac to another.
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The truth is that there is no one right way to immigrate. I’ve tried them all, and they all have their problems. Let’s get acquainted with the options and consider their strengths and weaknesses.
Transfer From Pc To Mac With Migration Assistant
This is a classic. In this scenario, you connect your new Mac to your old Mac via Target mode (hold down T at boot up to turn on Target mode, then—using the appropriate cables and adapters if you have them!—connect one to the other via Thunderbolt or USB) and then use a utility Like Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper to copy every byte of data from the old computer to the new one.
The advantages of this approach are clear: it is a direct brain transplant. The new computer is basically the old computer, every file from it.
But there are complications. Brand new Mac models often come with special versions of macOS that are specific to the device. Eventually, a software update will be released that puts all Macs on equal footing again, but if you buy a new Mac, it won’t necessarily be able to run the version of the operating system you copy from your old Mac.
Apple has also moved beyond the concept of a single disk partition containing all of your Mac’s data. There’s been an invisible Recovery partition on Macs for some time now, and the Touch Bar seems to make things even more complicated.
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The first time you turn on a new Mac, it launches a version of the Migration Assistant utility, which lets you copy files to your new Mac from several different locations, including another Mac, or a Time Machine backup, Or a Windows computer.
Upon first boot, your new Mac is essentially shapeless, with system software installed, but no user accounts. It is time to emigrate.
The simplest way to migrate is via a Time Machine backup, if you have one. Connect your Time Machine drive (or connect over the network, if it’s a remote drive, but it’ll be a lot slower!), choose a snapshot to use (ideally the backup you just completed before starting up your new Mac!) And the migration began. You can choose to copy apps, documents, and settings from your Time Machine backup.
You can also choose to migrate directly from your other Mac. The transfer process itself is pretty much the same, but you’ll need to find a way to connect the two Macs — a cable connected directly to the old Mac in Target mode is the best way — and your old Mac will be inoperable in the meantime.
File Transfer. Two Laptops With Folders On Screen And Transferred Documents. Copy Files, Data Exchange, Backup, Pc Migration, File Sharing Concepts. Flat Design Graphic Elements. 19863232 Png
This is the official Apple-supported method for migrating files, and it’s usually very effective. Your files come in, but your new Mac keeps its system software in place. You can choose a less complete data transfer if you don’t want to transfer everything.
Unfortunately, I didn’t find Migration Assistant to be as reliable as I should have been. While switching to a 13-inch MacBook Pro without the Touch Bar from a MacBook Air, I experienced an inexplicable failure. That was it, the deportation failed, the immigration assistant couldn’t explain why, and I was left to get my shit together.
You can always run Migration Assistant later, it’s an application located in the Utilities folder. When you turn it on, it exits all other applications so that your data doesn’t get corrupted during the migration. You can migrate from a Time Machine backup or another Mac, such as when booting.
Unfortunately, this approach adds complications. Since you’re already working on your new Mac, you’ve created a new user account. If a user on your old Mac shares that account name — it happens to me all the time, because I use the same account name on all my Macs — you can’t move that user without changing their account name. I still haven’t learned my lesson, and I often find myself getting creative
File Transfer. Two Laptops With Folders On Screen And Transferred Documents Stock Vector
This approach has the advantage of being available at any time, but if you have the opportunity to start over by migrating on the first run, I think it’s best.
This is a new one. If you use iCloud Desktop and Document sync for macOS Sierra, most of your files will come with you when you sign in to a new Mac with your iCloud credentials.
That’s kind of true, but… First, you’ll need to re-download all your files from iCloud, which will take much longer than copying those files from a device located a few feet away from you. iCloud also doesn’t migrate apps or settings, so you’ll need to reinstall apps (either from the Mac App Store or from third-party app vendors) and either edit your settings or look in the Preferences folder to find the app settings you want to move.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple’s long game is to also sync app preferences via iCloud, and perhaps track which apps you’ve installed and automatically restore those apps from the Mac App Store, but all the pieces aren’t here yet. If you mostly use official Apple apps and don’t mess with those apps’ default settings, this approach will likely work fine.
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One popular approach among some of my friends (like Casey Liss) is to simply “start over” every time they move to a new Mac.
This approach can take two forms. In one, you can upload all your main files to an external drive and then copy them manually. In the other, you can add things as you need them. Every time you need an app, install it. If you keep your main files on Dropbox, install it and get access to the files you need. If you need to transfer some major files, do that, but no more.
There’s a lot to be said for this approach, in terms of allowing you to get rid of what you don’t need and keep only what you do. But personally, I like to keep my immigration experience as short as possible. I prefer to move the house all at once, in a large truck, rather than hauling boxes back and forth as needed for several weeks. Your mileage may vary, but I want to get to the part of making my new Mac feel like home as quickly as possible.
These days, I rely mostly on Migration Assistant, sometimes via a Time Machine backup and sometimes via a live transfer. Unfortunately, my recent bad experience with Migration Assistant has me wondering if it might be better to take a different approach.
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If I moved Macs only once every few years, I think I might approach things as Casey Liss does, and start over — but then immediately try to install all my major apps and copy all my major files over the network or an external device. Driving. This seems like the right thing to do, but it takes a lot of time.
That’s why the appeal of an immigration assistant is strong. There’s nothing better – when it works – than clicking a button, walking away, and then coming back after a while to discover a brand new Mac with all the old stuff in place. If you can migrate from a fresh Time Machine drive from your old Mac, just as you turn on your new Mac for the first time, this is probably the first thing you should try. With any luck, this will be the last thing you should try, too.
If you appreciate articles like this, support us by becoming a Six Colors subscriber. Subscribers get access to exclusive podcasts, members-only stories, and a private community. You can transfer your files and settings from another Mac or PC to your new iMac. The first time you turn on your new iMac, you’re asked if you want to transfer data from another computer. For more information about transferring data during setup, see Set up your iMac. If you want to transfer data from a new computer now, you can use one of the options below.
Use Migration Assistant to transfer your data over a wired or wireless network, or by connecting old and new computers with an Ethernet cable. On both Macs, open a Finder window, go to Applications, open the Utilities folder, double-click Migration Assistant and follow the on-screen instructions. If you are transferring wirelessly, keep computers close together throughout the migration process. See Apple’s article Transfer to a new Mac using Migration Assistant.
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Use Windows Migration Assistant to move your data over a wired or wireless network. See Apple’s article Move from PC to Mac with Migration Assistant to find the right version of Migration Assistant for your Windows
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