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Additional Information
If a migrated application does not open or function correctly, see "Intel-based Mac: Some migrated applications may need to be updated".
When you install Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard or migrate to Snow Leopard, known-incompatible software is moved to a folder named Incompatible Software. Go to About incompatible software on your Mac for more information.
For more information please visit, the source of this article, How to move data to your new Mac using Mountain Lion and earlier
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Summary
You can use Migration Assistant to transfer your files and important settings from an older Mac to a new one.
Migration Assistant utility is only available in Mac OS X 10.5 and newer.
Requirements
To use Migration Assistant, both Macs must be either Firewire / Thunderbolt capable or be connected to the same Ethernet or wireless network.
Tip: If you have a MacBook Air or MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008), make sure both computers are connected to the same Ethernet or wireless network. See How to move data to your new Mac using Mountain Lion and earlier.
To transfer files via Migration Assistant
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- Make sure both computers are on the same local network, or connect them directly to each other with an Ethernet cable if both have an Ethernet port.
- On the computer you are transferring files to, click "Use Network", then click Continue, then click "From another Mac".
- On the Mac you are transferring from, open Migration Assistant, click "Use Network", then click Continue, then click "To another Mac".
- Follow the onscreen instructions to connect the computers via a passcode and transfer files. See this article for an example.
- You should be able to see the data being transferred as shown below.
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Use Migration Assistant to copy all of your documents, apps, user accounts, and settings to a new Mac from another computer. |
Summary
Migration Assistant copies all of your files to your new Mac so that you don't have to copy your files manually.
- If your files are currently on a Windows PC, follow the PC migration steps instead.
- If your new Mac is using OS X Mountain Lion v10.8 or earlier, follow the Mountain Lion migration steps instead.
Check software, settings, and power
- Install all available Apple software updates on both Mac computers. Install any updates for your third-party apps as well.
- Make sure that your old Mac is using OS X Snow Leopard v10.6.8 or later.
- Make sure that your old Mac has a computer name: Choose Apple () menu > System Preferences, then click Sharing and check the Computer Name field.
- Connect both computers to AC power.
Connect the computers to each other
- If both computers are using macOS Sierra or later, just make sure that they're near each other and have Wi-Fi turned on. If either is using OS X El Capitan or earlier, connect them to the same network using Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- Or connect them using target disk mode and the appropriate cable or adapter. Then start up your old computer in target disk mode.
- Or connect your new Mac to a Time Machine backup of your old Mac.
Use Migration Assistant
On your new Mac:
- Open Migration Assistant, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.\
- Click Continue.
- When asked how you want to transfer your information, select the option to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk.
- Click Continue.
On your old Mac:
If you started your old Mac in target disk mode or are migrating from a Time Machine backup, skip these four steps.
- Open Migration Assistant.
- Click Continue.
- When asked how you want to transfer your information, select the option to transfer to another Mac.
- Click Continue.
On your new Mac:
- When asked to select a Mac, Time Machine backup, or other startup disk, click the appropriate icon.
- Click Continue. You might see a security code.
On your old Mac:
If you started your old Mac in target disk mode or are migrating from a Time Machine backup, skip these two steps.
- If you see a security code, make sure that it's the same code as on your new Mac.
- Click Continue.
On your new Mac:
- You should see a list of backups organized by date and time. Choose the backup that you want to use.
- Click Continue.
Continuing on your new Mac:
- Select the information to transfer.
- Click Continue to start the transfer. If you have a lot of content, the transfer might take several hours to finish.
In the example above, John Appleseed is a macOS user account. If you transfer an account that has the same name as an account on your new Mac, you're asked to rename the old account or replace the one on your new Mac. If you rename, the old account appears as a separate user on your new Mac, with a separate home folder and login. If you replace, the old account overwrites the account on your new Mac, including everything in its home folder.
After Migration Assistant is done, log in to the migrated account on your new Mac to see its files. If you're not keeping your old Mac, learn what to do before selling it or giving it away.