How to transfer everything to a new Mac with Migration Assistant

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To transfer everything to a new Mac, use Migration Assistant. It moves documents, apps, user accounts and settings from your old Mac, or from a Time Machine backup of it. Apple says it doesn't delete anything from the old Mac or replace macOS on the new one.

Quick answer

Update macOS on both Macs and keep them near each other with Wi-Fi on. On the new Mac, choose to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine or startup disk, in Setup Assistant or Migration Assistant. On the old Mac, open Migration Assistant and choose to transfer to another Mac. Match the security code, pick what to move, and wait.

What does Migration Assistant move?

Apple says it transfers documents, apps, user accounts and settings from one Mac to another. It also transfers your email, though you may need to set up your email account again in your email app.

It can transfer from three places:

  1. Another Mac.
  2. A Time Machine backup, startup disk or other storage device. Apple says that if you backed up your previous computer, you can recover files even if its hard disk is damaged.
  3. A Windows PC, using Windows Migration Assistant on the PC.

Because it doesn't delete anything from the old Mac, everything is still there after the transfer, so you can check the new Mac before you wipe the old one.

How do you get both Macs ready?

Before you start, from Apple's Migration Assistant article and MacBook Pro guide:

  1. Update macOS on each Mac. They don't need to be on the same version of macOS.
  2. For a wireless transfer, 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, connect both to the same Wi-Fi network.
  3. Turn off antivirus, firewall or VPN software on either Mac until the transfer is done.
  4. Plug in the new Mac. Apple's MacBook Pro guide suggests connecting to power if you plan to transfer data.

Apple's MacBook Pro guide adds that, although you can transfer over Wi-Fi, it's often faster to connect the new MacBook Pro directly to your previous Mac with a cable.

Should you transfer during setup or afterwards?

Either works. Migration Assistant is part of Setup Assistant when you first start a new Mac, and it's also an app you can open at any time.

  • During setup: when Setup Assistant asks how you want to transfer your information, choose "From a Mac, Time Machine, or startup disk". Setup steps around this are in how to set up a new MacBook Pro.
  • After setup: open Migration Assistant from the Utilities folder in your Applications folder, or find it with Spotlight. Enter your administrator password if asked.

How do you transfer from your old Mac, step by step?

Apple's steps alternate between the two Macs.

  1. New Mac: open Migration Assistant (or reach that step in Setup Assistant). Select the option to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine or startup disk, then click Continue.
  2. Old Mac: open Migration Assistant, click Continue, select the option to transfer to another Mac, then click Continue.
  3. New Mac: when asked to select a Mac, Time Machine backup or other startup disk, select the icon of your old Mac, then click Continue.
  4. Old Mac: if you see a security code, make sure it matches the one on the new Mac, then click Continue.
  5. New Mac: wait while Migration Assistant calculates how much space your applications, user accounts, files, folders and settings use.
  6. New Mac: select each category you want to transfer, or click the disclosure arrow to pick specific items. Click Continue.

Apple says large transfers may need hours and may seem to pause occasionally. When it's done, close Migration Assistant on both Macs, then log in to the migrated account on the new Mac.

What happens to user accounts and passwords?

Migration Assistant asks about accounts as it goes.

  • An administrator account: you're asked to click Set Password and enter a secure password. Remember it, because you'll need it to log in to that account on the new Mac.
  • A standard account: a temporary password is assigned and shown on screen. Write it down. The user enters it the first time they log in, then sets their own.
  • An account with the same name already on the new Mac: you choose to replace it, and you may also have the option to keep a copy of its data in the Deleted Users folder, or to rename the old account so both are kept.

If you're asked for the password of an existing user already authorised on the new Mac, click Authorise and enter that account's password.

How do you transfer from a Time Machine backup?

  1. Connect your Time Machine backup disk and make sure it's turned on.
  2. Open Migration Assistant, or reach that step in Setup Assistant.
  3. Select the option to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine or startup disk, then click Continue.
  4. Select your backup disk. It can take a few moments to appear. Click Continue.
  5. Select a backup and click Continue. To use an older backup, click the disclosure arrow and choose one.
  6. Choose what to transfer, then follow the same account steps as above.

What next for the old Mac?

Once everything is on the new Mac, Apple points to its steps for selling, giving away or trading in the old one, which include erasing it. Those are in how to wipe a MacBook before selling. Checking the move afterwards, such as setting up email again, is in first things to do with a new MacBook.

Where Failshot fits

Migration Assistant brings your documents, apps and accounts across, so the new Mac holds everything the old one did from the first day. Your password is the first layer. Failshot is the second: second layer device security for your Mac.

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

Does Migration Assistant delete anything from my old Mac?

No. Apple says Migration Assistant doesn't delete information from your old Mac, and it doesn't replace the operating system on your new Mac. Erasing the old Mac is a separate step you take when you're ready.

Do both Macs need the same version of macOS?

No. Apple says to make sure macOS is up to date on each Mac, but it's not necessary for each Mac to use the same version.

How long does Migration Assistant take?

Apple doesn't give a figure. It says large transfers may need hours to complete and may seem to pause occasionally. Apple's MacBook Pro guide adds that a direct cable connection is often faster than Wi-Fi.

Can I run Migration Assistant after I've already set up the new Mac?

Yes. Open Migration Assistant from the Utilities folder in your Applications folder, or with Spotlight, and enter your administrator password if asked. If an account with the same name already exists, you can replace it or rename the old one.

Why does Migration Assistant say to turn off my firewall?

Apple's own checklist says that if antivirus, firewall or VPN software is in use on either Mac, turn it off until you're done. That means until the transfer has finished, not for good.

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