Migration Assistant stuck or not working? What to check
Apple doesn't publish a fix for a stuck Migration Assistant. What it does publish is the list of things to have in place before any transfer: macOS up to date on both Macs, Wi-Fi on and the Macs close together, and antivirus, firewall or VPN software off until you're done. Go back through that list. A long pause on a big transfer can be normal: Apple says large transfers may need hours.
Quick answer
Update macOS on each Mac, plug the laptop into power, turn on Wi-Fi on both and keep them near each other. Turn off antivirus, firewall and VPN software on both until you're done. Open Migration Assistant on both Macs. For a big transfer, Apple's MacBook Pro guide says connecting the two Macs directly with a cable is often faster than Wi-Fi.
Is it stuck, or just slow?
It may just be slow. Apple says large transfers may need hours to be completed, and may seem to pause occasionally. So a progress bar that hasn't moved for a while isn't, by itself, a sign that something has gone wrong.
There's also a step before the transfer starts where nothing visible happens: Migration Assistant calculates how much storage space your applications, user accounts, files, folders and settings use. Apple's instruction is simply to wait for the calculation to complete.
If you're moving a lot of data over Wi-Fi, Apple's MacBook Pro guide offers one practical change: although you can transfer wirelessly, it's often faster to connect your MacBook Pro directly to your previous Mac with a cable.
Why can't Migration Assistant see my other Mac?
Apple doesn't publish a separate fix for this. What it does publish is its list of things to have in place before a transfer, so check each one on both Macs, then start again.
- Update macOS on each Mac. Apple says the two Macs don't need to be on the same version, but each should be up to date. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Turn on Wi-Fi on both, and keep them near each other. If either Mac uses OS X El Capitan or earlier, or you're not sure, also connect them to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Turn off antivirus, firewall or VPN software on either Mac until you're done.
- Open Migration Assistant on both Macs. Apple's MacBook Pro guide lists this as a requirement. On the new Mac, choose "From a Mac, Time Machine or startup disk". On the old Mac, choose "To another Mac".
- Connect the laptop to power. Apple's Mac User Guide includes this in its before-you-begin list.
When the new Mac shows your old Mac's icon, select it. If you see a security code on the old Mac, make sure it matches the one on the new Mac before you click Continue.
How do I open Migration Assistant again?
If you closed it, or set the new Mac up as new during setup, you can open it at any time.
- Go to System Settings, then click General in the sidebar.
- Click Transfer or Reset, then click Open Migration Assistant.
- Click Continue, enter your password, then click OK.
You can also find it in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder, or with Spotlight. Apple's MacBook Pro guide says to press Command-Space bar and search for Migration Assistant.
What if it can't find my Time Machine backup?
Apple's steps for restoring from a backup start with the disk itself: make sure your Time Machine backup disk is connected to your Mac and turned on. When you choose "From a Mac, Time Machine or startup disk", Apple says the backup disk may take a few moments to appear.
If the Continue button is dimmed when you pick a backup, or you want an older one, click the disclosure arrow next to the backup shown, then select a backup.
Can I use a cable instead of Wi-Fi?
Yes. Apple's MacBook Pro guide says that although you can transfer data wirelessly by connecting both computers to the same Wi-Fi network, it's often faster to connect your MacBook Pro directly to your previous Mac using a cable. Then, in Migration Assistant on the new Mac, click the Mac you're transferring data from, then follow the onscreen instructions.
If you're on Wi-Fi rather than a cable, Apple's older-Mac rule still applies: if either Mac uses OS X El Capitan or earlier, both need to be on the same Wi-Fi network.
What happens when the transfer finishes?
Apple's Mac User Guide says your computer restarts when the transfer is complete, and that a migration summary is shown if issues were found, for example documents that couldn't be transferred, or incompatible software. It also says apps that are incompatible, or that already have a newer version installed, may not be transferred or may not be usable.
Your email comes across, but Apple notes you might first need to set up your email account again in your email app. What to check next is in first things to do with a new MacBook.
What if it still won't work?
Your old Mac isn't changed by any of this: Apple says Migration Assistant doesn't delete information from your old Mac or replace macOS on the new one. So you can stop and use another route. Transfer to a new Mac without Migration Assistant covers iCloud, an external drive and file sharing. The full step-by-step for a normal transfer is in transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant, and moving from a PC is in moving from Windows to a Mac.
Where Failshot fits
Once the transfer finishes, everything from your old Mac is on the new one, from your documents to your signed-in accounts. Your password is the first layer. Failshot is the second: second layer device security for your Mac, and a new Mac is the moment to add it.
While it's on, Failshot photographs whoever unlocks your Mac, then, with Pro, records a 5-second video, and its window tells them the unlock was photographed. With the Mac's built-in camera, the green light comes on. With Pro, turn on alerts and Failshot emails you about an unlock you don't confirm as yours, a wrong Failshot PIN or answer, or its camera access being switched off while it's on. Switching it off, or quitting it from its menu, takes Touch ID or your Failshot PIN and answer, never your Mac password.
Failshot runs on macOS 14 or later. Free to download. It's free to use. Pro adds video, email alerts and the encrypted vault, and you can try Pro free for 7 days. Your card is taken at sign-up and charged on day 8 unless you cancel. The trial is on failshot.app, for the Mac. iPhone, Android and Windows are coming soon.
More questions
How long should Migration Assistant take?
Apple doesn't give a figure. It says large transfers may need hours to be completed and may seem to pause occasionally. Its MacBook Pro guide adds that a direct cable connection between the two Macs is often faster than transferring over Wi-Fi.
Can I transfer from a backup instead of the old Mac?
Yes. Apple says Migration Assistant can also transfer from a Time Machine backup of your old Mac. Connect the backup disk, turn it on, then choose "From a Mac, Time Machine or startup disk".
Can I cancel Migration Assistant and start again?
Apple says Migration Assistant doesn't delete information from your old Mac, so your data stays where it was. You can open Migration Assistant again later from System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset.
Why are some apps missing after the transfer?
Apple says incompatible apps, or apps with newer versions already installed, may not be transferred or may not be usable. A migration summary appears after the restart if issues were found.