Migration Assistant is Apple’s built-in transfer tool for moving accounts, apps, documents, photos, and many settings from an old Mac or Time Machine backup to a new Mac.
These steps apply to transfers between recent macOS versions on Apple Silicon or Intel Macs.
Does This Affect You?
Use Migration Assistant when you want the new Mac to feel like the old one, including the same user account, desktop files, applications, and common settings.
Transfer Directly from the Old Mac
- Plug both Macs into power.
- Put both Macs on the same Wi-Fi network, or connect them with a Thunderbolt or USB-C cable for a faster transfer.
- On the new Mac, choose the transfer option during Setup Assistant, or open Migration Assistant from Applications > Utilities.
- On the old Mac, open Migration Assistant and choose To another Mac.
- Confirm the same security code appears on both Macs.
- On the new Mac, choose the accounts, applications, documents, and settings to transfer.
- Click Continue and leave both Macs awake until the process finishes.
Transfer from a Time Machine Backup
- Connect the Time Machine backup drive to the new Mac, or make sure the network backup is available.
- Open Migration Assistant during setup or from Applications > Utilities.
- Choose to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk.
- Select the backup disk and backup date.
- Choose the data to bring over.
- Let the transfer complete, then sign in with the transferred account.
Transfer Tips
Use a Cable for Big Moves
Wi-Fi works, but a direct Thunderbolt or USB-C connection is usually much faster for hundreds of gigabytes of photos, videos, and app data.
Check New Mac Storage
The new Mac needs room for the data you select. If it has less storage than the old Mac, skip large folders and copy them separately later.
Update macOS First if Possible
Migration tends to work best when both Macs are on recent macOS versions. Older systems may not transfer every newer setting cleanly.
If It Fails
Keep both computers awake and powered. If the transfer stalls or fails, run Migration Assistant again from the beginning; it is designed to avoid duplicating successfully transferred data.
For a Few Files Only
If you only need a small folder set, AirDrop, iCloud Drive, or an external USB drive may be simpler than a full migration.
Sources
- Apple Support: Move content to a new Mac
- Apple Support: Transfer information to a new Mac with Migration Assistant
- Apple Support: Back up your Mac with Time Machine