Are you looking for an easy and reliable method to transfer important data from your old Mac to your new Mac? We will walk you through the best ways to transfer files on Mac. By the end of this blog, you will be equipped with different methods to transfer data from one Mac to another. Apple provides you with a Migration Assistant on your Mac that copies all the files you wish to retain and transfers them to the other Mac saving you the efforts in moving them manually.
How to Transfer Files on Mac using Migration Assistant
Before starting the transfer procedure, make sure that your system is up to date. To check the update status of your old and new Mac, click Apple Menu > System Preferences > Software Updates. If you have both Macs with you, you can use Method 1. However, if you have a Time Machine backup of your old Mac, you can use it to transfer files to the new Mac as described under Method 2.
Method 1: Using Migration Assistant When both Macs are Available
Once both your Macs are up to date, place them together, turn the Wi-Fi on, and click System Preferences > Sharing on your old Mac. Next, check if a name appears in the Computer Name field on your old Mac. Now, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Click Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant and click Continue on your new Mac.
Step 2: If prompted, insert your Admin Password and click OK.
Step 3: You will be asked ‘How do you want to transfer your information?’ click the From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk option.
Step 4: Now, launch Migration Assistant on your old Mac and click Continue.
Step 5: Repeat Step 3 on your old Mac but this time, choose the To another Mac option and click Continue.
Step 6: On your new Mac, select the old Mac when asked to choose a Mac, Time Machine backup, or other start disk and click Continue.
Step 7: Match the security code that appears on your old Mac with the one showing on the new Mac and click Continue.
Step 8: In the Select the information to transfer window on your new Mac, select all the data you want to move from your old Mac, and click Continue.
Note: The transfer might take hours, depending on the volume of data you are transferring. Make sure your Macs are connected to a power supply.
When the transfer of files on Mac is complete, close the Migration Assistant window on both Macs and access the transferred data through the migrated account login on the new Mac.
Method 2: Using Migration Assistant to Transfer Data from a Backup
If the old Mac is not available with you, rather you have a Time Machine backup of it, you can still use the Migration Assistant to transfer data from one Mac to another. The Migration Assistant can easily transfer data like files, apps, etc., from the backup to your new Mac. Here is how to transfer files on Mac.
Step 1: Connect the Time Machine backup drive to your new Mac, launch Migration Assistant, and click Continue.
Step 2: Select the option to transfer files From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk under the ‘How do you want to transfer your information?’ section and click Continue.
Step 3: Select the Time Machine backup and hit Continue. Now choose the latest backup from the list and click Continue.
Step 4: Select the data you want to transfer from your old Mac in the Select the information to transfer window and click Continue to start the transfer.
Note: The transfer of files on Mac might take several hours, and you should ensure that a continuous power supply is available to your new Mac.
Once the transfer of data from one Mac to another is complete, close the Migration Assistant and access the transferred data by logging in to the migrated account.
What to do If the Data I am Looking for is Deleted from My Old Mac?
There are instances that while dealing with and managing voluminous and old data, we accidentally delete the data, or the data gets corrupted due to any reason. In such a case, you can recover Mac data without Time Machine backup by creating a clone drive or other native methods. Alternatively, you can choose the easiest DIY method using the Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac. The software works effortlessly to recover data even from a non-booting or crashed Mac and brings back your data in its original form.
To Wrap it Up
Now that you know how to transfer data from one Mac to another, we hope you can successfully retain your valuable data on your new Mac. Moreover, we have also provided you with an option to data recovery on Mac that you might have lost on the old Mac. Don’t forget to permanently erase all the data and other sensitive information on your old Mac before selling it or disposing it in different ways. Mere deletion of data will not shield you from privacy violation and data theft threats.
