How to transfer to a new Mac without Migration Assistant

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You can move to a new Mac without Migration Assistant by setting it up as new, signing in to the same Apple Account so iCloud brings your synced data across, and then copying your files yourself with an external drive, AirDrop or file sharing. Your apps you install again. You choose exactly what comes with you.

Quick answer

Sign in to the same Apple Account on the new Mac and turn on the iCloud apps you use, such as Photos, Drive, Passwords, Notes, Contacts and Calendars. For files that aren't in iCloud, drag them to an external drive on the old Mac and back off it on the new one, or use AirDrop for a few items, or file sharing over your network.

Why skip Migration Assistant?

Some people want a clean start rather than a copy of the old Mac, or Migration Assistant isn't working for them (the fixes are in Migration Assistant stuck or not working). Apple's MacBook Pro guide says that if you choose to set up your Mac as new during the initial setup, you don't automatically transfer any data from other devices, and you can transfer data later using Migration Assistant.

What does iCloud bring across?

On the new Mac, go to System Settings, click your name at the top of the sidebar, then click iCloud. Apple says the "Saved to iCloud" section shows the syncing status of Photos, Drive, Passwords, Notes, Messages and Mail, and you click See All to manage more apps.

What each one does, in Apple's words:

  1. Photos: turn on "Sync this Mac" to store your photos and videos using iCloud Photos.
  2. Drive: turn on "Sync this Mac" to store your files in iCloud Drive, with the option to store your Desktop and Documents folders there too.
  3. Passwords: turn on "Sync this Mac" to store information like passwords and credit card numbers in iCloud.
  4. Notes, Mail and Messages: each has its own switch.
  5. Contacts, Calendars, Reminders and Safari: stored in iCloud so you can reach them on any device signed in to your Apple Account.

Apple's iCloud Drive page notes that devices with iCloud Drive turned off aren't kept up to date with the devices that have it on. So check these switches on the old Mac first, while it's still yours.

How do I move my Desktop and Documents with iCloud Drive?

If your files live in the Desktop and Documents folders, iCloud Drive can carry them.

  1. On the old Mac, go to System Settings, click your name, then click iCloud.
  2. Click Drive, make sure iCloud Drive is turned on, then turn on Desktop & Documents Folders.
  3. Click Done. On the new Mac, sign in to the same Apple Account and turn on iCloud Drive: Apple says all your devices must be signed in to the same Apple Account to use it.

Apple says the folders are then moved into iCloud Drive and appear in the iCloud section of the Finder sidebar. It also warns that you may need to turn off any other app or cloud service that syncs those folders, because it can interfere with iCloud Drive. If your iCloud storage is full, a document stays on your Mac and uploads when space becomes available.

How do I copy files with an external drive?

For anything not in iCloud, an external drive is the plain route.

  1. Connect the drive to the old Mac. Apple says you can use Thunderbolt, USB or USB-C cables.
  2. Open a Finder window. Select the files or folders, then drag them to the drive, listed below Locations in the Finder sidebar.
  3. Eject the drive: click the eject button next to its name in the Finder sidebar, or choose File > Eject.
  4. Connect the drive to the new Mac, select it below Locations, then drag the files to where you want them.

Can I restore from a Time Machine backup instead?

Yes, but that is Migration Assistant again: Apple's way to restore a Time Machine backup onto a Mac is to choose "From a Mac, Time Machine or startup disk" in Migration Assistant. If you only want a few files from the backup, Apple's Time Machine pages explain restoring specific files instead. Apple also says to keep your Time Machine disk for Time Machine backups only, not for storing other files, so use a separate drive for manual copying.

What about AirDrop or file sharing?

AirDrop suits a small number of items. Apple says both devices need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on and to be within 10 metres of each other. Between your own devices signed in to the same Apple Account, items are accepted automatically. Apple's own note is that AirDrop is best for sharing a small selection of files.

File sharing suits larger folders over your home network.

  1. On the old Mac, go to System Settings > General > Sharing.
  2. Below Content & Media, click the Info button next to File Sharing, then turn on File Sharing and choose the folders to share.
  3. On the new Mac, open a Finder window, click Network below Locations, double-click the old Mac, click Connect As, then connect.
  4. When you're finished, go back to Sharing on the old Mac and turn File Sharing off.

What will I have to redo by hand?

Anything Migration Assistant would have carried and iCloud doesn't. Apple lists Migration Assistant's categories as applications, user accounts, other files and folders, privacy and security settings, and system and network settings. Without it, you install your apps again and set your settings by hand on the new Mac. First things to do with a new MacBook has the checklist, and security settings for a new MacBook covers Touch ID, FileVault and Find My.

Where Failshot fits

A manual move is a fresh start, and that makes it a good time to set up your Mac the way you want it. 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

Can I use Migration Assistant later if I set up the Mac as new?

Yes. Apple says that if you set up your Mac as new, nothing transfers automatically, and you can transfer data later using Migration Assistant. Open it from System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset.

Does iCloud move my apps to the new Mac?

Apple's iCloud settings page describes storing each app's data in iCloud, such as your photos, files, passwords, notes and mail. Moving the applications themselves is one of Migration Assistant's categories, so without it you install them again.

How big should the external drive be?

Big enough for the files you're copying. Apple's size advice of at least twice your Mac's storage is for a Time Machine backup disk, which it says should be used only for backups.

Is AirDrop good for moving everything?

Apple says AirDrop is best for sharing a small selection of files between devices. For a large library, use iCloud Drive, an external drive or file sharing over your network.

Will my passwords come across without Migration Assistant?

Apple says turning on Passwords in iCloud settings stores information like passwords and credit card numbers in iCloud, so you can reach them on any device signed in to your Apple Account.

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