Mac lineup includes a program called Migration Assistant, which makes it fast and easy to move data across your computers. Better still, transferring data can be accomplished in other ways. File sharing has evolved new ways to meet the needs of each user or scenario. Importing documents, applications, caches, settings files and everything else to set up a new Mac can be agonizing for a beginner.
Read on to learn the ropes on how to use Migration Assistant, AirDropping, and other services to transfer data from Mac to Mac. This article introduces the easiest, most efficient and innovative methods for the movement of files.
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Part 1. Things to Do before Using Apple’s Migration Assistant to Back up Data
Mac Migration Assistant
The first port of call for users on-the-go is Apple’s Migration Assistant. It makes importing all files from one Mac to another a breeze. It can also move files from a Time Machine backup and an external clone drive. It goes the extra mile to exchange files with Windows.
Things to Do before Using Migration Assistant
A backup of your tired Mac with Time Machine or a third-party tool will get the stresses and strains off your mind. Even better, create a bootable clone of your startup disk. If you things go haywire during the migration process, choose Time Machine backup or the clone to move data.
Tip: Before setting up backup and transferring files from your Mac, run a thorough system cleanup. A dilapidated computer shows symptoms of digital litter such as sluggishness and poor memory. There’s a high likelihood system junk has corrupted or outdated vital files on your drive.
Your old Mac needs to be as clean as a hound’s tooth before transferring files to a new one. To tidy up your Mac in a jiffy, try using a tool like iMyMac PowerMyMac. It includes a free version download.
Things to Check & Prepare
- Ensure both Macs have the most up-to-the-minute operating system.
- Keep all the applications on your old Mac up-to-date
- Your old Mac requires OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or later.
- Ensure your outgoing Mac has a computer name. Go to the menu and select System Preferences followed by Sharing pane. Add a name in the Computer Name box if you can’t see one.
- Plug in your Macs to a power outlet.
Connect Macs
Next, sync the Macs to each other. For Macs powered by macOS Sierra or post generations, you can simply position them near to each other and switch on the Wi-Fi on the two computers. For macOS El Capitan or predecessor, ensure you’ve connected them to the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.
Part 2. Using Apple’s Applications to Transfer Data from Mac to Mac
Method 1: Using Migration Assistant
With your Macs synchronized, you can use Migration Assistant.
On the New Mac
- Launch Utilities> Applications and double-click Migration Assistant to open it.
- Select Continue.
- Select the leading of the three options on the subsequent screen: “From a Mac, startup disk, and Time Machine backup”.
- Hit Continue.
On the Old Mac
- Launch Migration Assistant in the Utilities folder.
- Click on Continue.
- Once you access the options for ways to transfer data, select: “To another Mac”.
- Click on Continue.
Switch to the New Mac
- You’ll be prompted to migrate from a Mac, startup disk, Time Machine backup, or backup.
- Select Continue.
- If you encounter a security code after you hit Continue, glimpse your old Mac and ensure it shows the same security code.
- Hit Continue on the old Mac.
- You’ll see the forename of your computer popping up in the Migration Assistant window of your old Mac. Click on it.
- Click Continue.
- You’ll now access a collection of the files on your old Mac. Tick all the boxes that portray the data you wish to relocate.
- Click Continue.
The transfer could last several hours, depending on the amount of data.
Method 2: Using File Sharing
Mac OS has a built-in File Sharing System powered by SMB. It offers the most efficient and lightning-fast way to transmit files between your old and new Mac over the same network.
Sender
- Activate File Sharing on the Mac with the data or files.
- Go to System Preferences> Sharing. Activate File Sharing by selecting the radio button near it.
- You’ll see “Shared Files”, remove or increase the folders which you wish to share. The “Users” option allows you to manipulate the access privileges of various users.
Ensure the icon is emerald and shows “File Sharing: On” and below it you’re the address of your device opening with “smb://”.
Onto the Recipient Mac…
- Go to Finder> Go > Connect to Server. Enter the same address.
- You’ll see a prompt to open a folder. Choose your preferred folder and feed the username along with the password of the user of your hosting Mac.