Best way to migrate to new Mac?

[Webcat86]

I've got a new Mac arriving tomorrow and am thinking about set up.

My current machine is a 2019 (purchased 2020) MBP. It has been back to Apple last year because it kept rebooting itself randomly, they found nothing wrong with it and suggested reinstalling the software, which did fix it. A few times since it has rebooted after hanging up if a video was playing in Safari with a lot of tabs, so I don't know if that's unrelated or not.

I have Time Machine backups, but I've been wondering if I should avoid a total restore, in case it brings over some gremlins.

What's the best way to import - I will have the laptop while setting up the new computer, plus the TM backup. Do I just drag my entire user profile from TM, or specific files and folders? And what's the best way to ensure my music library is properly moved across and found (I remember having a little difficult with this when setting up my current laptop, and can't fully remember what I ended up doing)?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

If you don't want to use a time machine backup they do have the migration assistant but personally I don't like how MacOS migrates things regardless. Fine for files but I want my settings to move over like how it does on an iPhone/iPad where it's almost a clone and MacOS doesn't do that so I always end up just starting fresh and since I have everything in the cloud I don't do much else. I imagine if I had large amounts of data I would just use an external.

 

[Webcat86]

If you don't want to use a time machine backup they do have the migration assistant but personally I don't like how MacOS migrates things regardless. Fine for files but I want my settings to move over like how it does on an iPhone/iPad where it's almost a clone and MacOS doesn't do that so I always end up just starting fresh and since I have everything in the cloud I don't do much else. I imagine if I had large amounts of data I would just use an external.

I'm happy to use my TM for retrieving individual folders, I'd just prefer to not do a full restore from it.

How does Migration Assistant differ from TM?

 

[DJLC]

You're gonna get two camps on this one...

1. Camp 1 will tell you not to migrate. Manually copy over the documents you care about. Start from scratch with system settings, app installations, etc. I agree this is the best way to avoid weird problems, but at the same time, sometimes it's wildly inconvenient.
2. Camp 2 will say Apple's Migration Assistant is good and works well. I'm personally in this camp. Migration Assistant can be used to move your home folder, installed apps, system settings, etc. from an old Mac to a new Mac. I've used it many times successfully, including going from Intel to Apple Silicon. It works great over a network, over a direct Thunderbolt connection, or from a Time Machine backup. THAT SAID, if you do this, be careful: migrated apps may or may not update themselves to Apple Silicon versions. When I last migrated from an Intel Mac, I had to delete and re-download many third-party apps like Google Chrome to get the Apple Silicon versions.

So, overall: if you're comfortable fiddling with small stuff, Migration Assistant is a great option IMO. You'll probably save more time not manually moving stuff than you'll spend fixing small migration issues. Flip side, if you don't like fiddling and/or care more about a perfect experience than you do about preservation, it might be better to start fresh.

And to be clear: Migration Assistant can be used in one of two ways:

1. Migrate from Time Machine: At setup, plug the Time Machine drive from your old Mac into your new Mac. When you get to the Migration Assistant step, use the Time Machine option.
2. Migrate directly from your old Mac: At setup, ensure both Macs are on the same network -OR- connect them to each other using a Thunderbolt cable. Search for Migration Assistant on your old Mac using Spotlight. Launch it. When prompted on the new Mac, choose to migrate from another Mac. It'll find it either on the network or via Thunderbolt. Confirm both Macs display the same 6-digit code. If they match, confirm and it'll begin the migration.
   1. This does not delete any data from the old Mac. Last time I did this, we were adding two new Macs to an office that already had one. I used Migration Assistant to copy the settings from the first Mac to the other two, then renamed the two new ones. Worked great.

 

[Ifti]

If you don't want to use a time machine backup they do have the migration assistant but personally I don't like how MacOS migrates things regardless. Fine for files but I want my settings to move over like how it does on an iPhone/iPad where it's almost a clone and MacOS doesn't do that so I always end up just starting fresh and since I have everything in the cloud I don't do much else. I imagine if I had large amounts of data I would just use an external.

I've always used a TM backup to restore all my settings and data, and it comes across with everything intact. All I need to do is but my mailbox passwords back in and that's it - otherwise its like a clone.

I used to transfer applications too, but many of them need the license re-activated again, so now I just install applications from afresh rather then from a backup - or copy some across manually from my backup.

I also take a clone using CCC every now and then, although I've never used it for a restore.

 

[Webcat86]

You're gonna get two camps on this one...

1. Camp 1 will tell you not to migrate. Manually copy over the documents you care about. Start from scratch with system settings, app installations, etc. I agree this is the best way to avoid weird problems, but at the same time, sometimes it's wildly inconvenient.
2. Camp 2 will say Apple's Migration Assistant is good and works well. I'm personally in this camp. Migration Assistant can be used to move your home folder, installed apps, system settings, etc. from an old Mac to a new Mac. I've used it many times successfully, including going from Intel to Apple Silicon. It works great over a network, over a direct Thunderbolt connection, or from a Time Machine backup. THAT SAID, if you do this, be careful: migrated apps may or may not update themselves to Apple Silicon versions. When I last migrated from an Intel Mac, I had to delete and re-download many third-party apps like Google Chrome to get the Apple Silicon versions.

So, overall: if you're comfortable fiddling with small stuff, Migration Assistant is a great option IMO. You'll probably save more time not manually moving stuff than you'll spend fixing small migration issues. Flip side, if you don't like fiddling and/or care more about a perfect experience than you do about preservation, it might be better to start fresh.

And to be clear: Migration Assistant can be used in one of two ways:

1. Migrate from Time Machine: At setup, plug the Time Machine drive from your old Mac into your new Mac. When you get to the Migration Assistant step, use the Time Machine option.
2. Migrate directly from your old Mac: At setup, ensure both Macs are on the same network -OR- connect them to each other using a Thunderbolt cable. Search for Migration Assistant on your old Mac using Spotlight. Launch it. When prompted on the new Mac, choose to migrate from another Mac. It'll find it either on the network or via Thunderbolt. Confirm both Macs display the same 6-digit code. If they match, confirm and it'll begin the migration.
   1. This does not delete any data from the old Mac. Last time I did this, we were adding two new Macs to an office that already had one. I used Migration Assistant to copy the settings from the first Mac to the other two, then renamed the two new ones. Worked great.

Thanks for this.
It's arriving on a Friday afternoon so no mega rush to get it working quickly as I'll have the weekend. And I don't have heaps of apps, so I'm happy to download those manually.

Settings would be nice to keep, but not a huge deal.

My main priority is everything just being where it should be e.g. I open Music to play an album, and Music can play it without asking me to locate the folder, that sort of thing.

If I use Migration Assistant to migrate from the old Mac, what does it actually bring across? I'm leaning towards Camp 1 from your two choices, but I'd like clarity on what folders should be moved (for example, do I bring over Desktop, Pictures etc, or just the User profile?)

 

[Fishrrman]

Open the box.
Take the new Mac out and set it on the table.
Connect your tm backup (I'd be using either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper, but that's me).
Press the power-on button.
Start clicking through the setup.
When setup assistant asks if you wish to migrate from another drive, YES, you want to do this.
Give setup assistant time to "digest" everything.
From the checklist, review what you wish to be migrated (I'd suggest "everything").
Then, let it go.

When done, you should see your login screen, same as before.

 

[Webcat86]

Open the box.
Take the new Mac out and set it on the table.
Connect your tm backup (I'd be using either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper, but that's me).
Press the power-on button.
Start clicking through the setup.
When setup assistant asks if you wish to migrate from another drive, YES, you want to do this.
Give setup assistant time to "digest" everything.
From the checklist, review what you wish to be migrated (I'd suggest "everything").
Then, let it go.

When done, you should see your login screen, same as before.

For this install, I'd rather start as fresh as possible and just bring over what's needed (my documents, photo library, music files, GarageBand files, the tags I've made to locate documents etc. What I'm not sure on is the best way to achieve this without restoring a full backup

 

[DJLC]

If I use Migration Assistant to migrate from the old Mac, what does it actually bring across? I'm leaning towards Camp 1 from your two choices, but I'd like clarity on what folders should be moved (for example, do I bring over Desktop, Pictures etc, or just the User profile?)

You have options when you get into Migration Assistant. Once you tell it where it's copying stuff from, it'll scan that source and ask what you want to migrate. Your options include:

• User Accounts (and if there are multiple users, which user accounts), including all documents, music, etc. in addition to the user profile.
• Installed Applications (any that aren't stock / it won't replace a newer stock app with an older copy)
• System Settings (printers, computer name, etc.)

Based on your description, I think my advice would be to use Migration Assistant to copy your user account only. Re-download the apps you want. All your data will move over and be where you expected, even without copying the apps. For example, if you use Google Chrome, your Chrome user profile / settings will be copied over by Migration Assistant. When you download and launch Google Chrome post-migration, your settings are already there from the old Mac even though you didn't copy the app itself.

Hope this helps!

 

[Webcat86]

You have options when you get into Migration Assistant. Once you tell it where it's copying stuff from, it'll scan that source and ask what you want to migrate. Your options include:

• User Accounts (and if there are multiple users, which user accounts), including all documents, music, etc. in addition to the user profile.
• Installed Applications (any that aren't stock / it won't replace a newer stock app with an older copy)
• System Settings (printers, computer name, etc.)

Based on your description, I think my advice would be to use Migration Assistant to copy your user account only. Re-download the apps you want. All your data will move over and be where you expected, even without copying the apps. For example, if you use Google Chrome, your Chrome user profile / settings will be copied over by Migration Assistant. When you download and launch Google Chrome post-migration, your settings are already there from the old Mac even though you didn't copy the app itself.

Hope this helps!

Perfect, thanks! Presumably that will include Safari settings but not System Preferences?

 

[jezbd1997]

Personally I always do a copy each file over. Either copy the whole HDD onto an external drive or go in and copy only the directories I want. Then work backwards for each directory. Also helps to delete old junk I don’t need/use anymore instead of doing migration assistant or TM.

One problem is sometimes there are hidden directories/app libraries that aren’t copied over and some apps lose their data so try to get a “backup” for as many apps as possible.

But this method works best for keeping a new machine “new” and clean

 

[Webcat86]

Personally I always do a copy each file over. Either copy the whole HDD onto an external drive or go in and copy only the directories I want. Then work backwards for each directory. Also helps to delete old junk I don’t need/use anymore instead of doing migration assistant or TM.

One problem is sometimes there are hidden directories/app libraries that aren’t copied over and some apps lose their data so try to get a “backup” for as many apps as possible.

But this method works best for keeping a new machine “new” and clean

This is pretty much what I want to do. Any advice on which directories need to come over, if not the whole User profile?

 

[chabig]

Why wouldn’t you want your whole user profile and installed apps. And assuming you do, that’s exactly what Migration Assistant does.

 

[Webcat86]

Why wouldn’t you want your whole user profile and installed apps. And assuming you do, that’s exactly what Migration Assistant does.

For the reason mentioned in the OP. This laptop has had a software bug in the past and on occasion still has its hiccups, so I want to start with as much of a fresh install as possible and just bring over the files I need

 

[chabig]

I think those problems would be system related, not user related.

 

[Webcat86]

I think those problems would be system related, not user related.

Perhaps, but I’d still prefer to have the new computer fresh as much as possible

 

[Cognizant.]

I've been using Time Machine to migrate from one Mac to another for 15 years now without any issues. I can't think of an easier way to migrate. Those hiccups you are experiencing most likely won't carry over. But if you want to start fresh, then just copy all your needed files to an external drive and just copy them back over to the new Mac. Yes, it takes longer to set everything up, but if you're looking for peace of mind, this would be the best way.

 

[avkills]

Camp 1 here.

Make your new user on the new machine and manually copy the stuff over that you want. You *might* have to start over from scratch on iTunes (Music) and such, which is mildly annoying, but doing it this way is a lot safer.

I always do fresh OS installs on all my Apple machines when a major OS revision comes out; which means I basically do the same thing. All my backups are done manually to a external SSD drive. A lot of my stuff is on dropbox, at least work stuff; so that is always easy to retrieve albeit time consuming.

 

[jezbd1997]

This is pretty much what I want to do. Any advice on which directories need to come over, if not the whole User profile?

application support is where most files are (in the user directory) but sometimes there are libraries in “preferences” too. takes a bit to play around with

 

[jezbd1997]

Why wouldn’t you want your whole user profile and installed apps. And assuming you do, that’s exactly what Migration Assistant does.

can sometimes bring problems over doing a full copy of everything

 

[avkills]

I would not copy application support files over unless you have the exact same version of said application installed.

 

[Webcat86]

Camp 1 here.

Make your new user on the new machine and manually copy the stuff over that you want. You *might* have to start over from scratch on iTunes (Music) and such, which is mildly annoying, but doing it this way is a lot safer.

I always do fresh OS installs on all my Apple machines when a major OS revision comes out; which means I basically do the same thing. All my backups are done manually to a external SSD drive. A lot of my stuff is on dropbox, at least work stuff; so that is always easy to retrieve albeit time consuming.

I can’t start from scratch on iTunes, most of my library is CD imports from many many years ago. But I can manually import the library like I did before.

I’m thinking to just copy over User from the TM backup or is that against how Camp 1 works?

I have a lot in Dropbox and iCloud too. Most of the local files are music, photos, and system.

 

[avkills]

I can’t start from scratch on iTunes, most of my library is CD imports from many many years ago. But I can manually import the library like I did before.

I’m thinking to just copy over User from the TM backup or is that against how Camp 1 works?

I have a lot in Dropbox and iCloud too. Most of the local files are music, photos, and system.

Just copy all your CD imports over to wherever you store them and re-import them into Music (iTunes); if you are already using Music then you can probably also copy over the library file and be ok.

 

[Webcat86]

Just copy all your CD imports over to wherever you store them and re-import them into Music (iTunes); if you are already using Music then you can probably also copy over the library file and be ok.

I just imported them and they’re stored in the music folder. But yeah when I set up this current MacBook I copied over the music library, I’ll just need to look up how again

 

[avkills]

I just imported them and they’re stored in the music folder. But yeah when I set up this current MacBook I copied over the music library, I’ll just need to look up how again

On your new machine don't open Music up until you get your stuff copied over; just copy the contents of your old machine Music folder to the new and then launch the Music app. Should be good to go. I think mine upgraded the library file; and copied the old one into a folder it created called "Previous Libraries"