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Migration Assistant
- Thread starter rockisle
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Thank you all. Have usb-c to usb-c cable. Will it work computer to computer with that? I normally use an ethernet cable from the iMac to the router keeping wireless disconnected. If using migration assistant, would it be best to connect the new computer to the router via ethernet cable and the old to the new Studio with the usb-c cable? The router has wireless, but only one usb-? connection.
How many ports do you have open on the router? Most routers should have at least 3 to 4. USB-C at the router won't do you any good as they would be different protocols and purposes for each.
If you go USB-C to USB-C, be sure that you are able to put the new Mac Studio into Target mode (if possible), then you should be able to use Migration Assistant. Otherwise, you can do it over the network, or - the safest way - is to back up your iMac to an external disk with Time Machine, then use Time Machine as the source for Migration Assistant on the Mac Studio. That way everything is cleaner, plus you have a good backup and restore point for both Macs. Plus it is always a good idea to keep a backup available, which that TM backup would be.
BL.
How about I just use my CCC or Time Machine backup? Have both. There are 2 ethernet ports free on the router, but at this point it seems that the CCC or TM backup would be simpler. Would one be better that the other? Could also just do with the wireless connection, but was wondering which method might be quicker and safer, wireless or backup disk?
Those would work the best, with TM being preferred for Migration Assistant. Just make sure that the TM backup is the most current (in case you've added anything to the iMac since the last time you backed it up), plug it into the Mac Studio, and you're all set.
That method has worked flawlessly for me for a good 11 years; each time I used TM to back up my mid-2011 MBA, as well as migrate to my M1 Pro MBP.
BL.
OP asks:
"How about I just use my CCC or Time Machine backup?"
OK, that settles it.
The BEST option is to use your CCC backup.
How to do it:
a. Just before the new Mac arrives, run CCC on your old Mac "for the last time".
b. When the new Mac arrives, take it out of the box, get your connections set, BUT DO NOT PRESS THE POWER ON BUTTON YET !
c. Connect the CCC backup drive. NOW press the power on button.
d. Begin setup. At the appropriate moment, setup assistant will ask if you wish to migrate from another drive. YES, you want to do this, so...
e. "Aim" setup assistant at the CCC backup and give it time to "digest" everything (it will take a little while).
f. SA will present you with "a list" of stuff to migrate. Coming from a 2017 Mac, I'd suggest you just "migrate it all" (apps included).
g. Let SA do its thing. Again, it will take a while (but migrating from a CCC backup will be the fastest of all possible choices).
h. When done, you should see your original login screen. So log in and "look around".
i. BE AWARE that some 3rd-party apps may not run or will require upgrades. That's the way it goes.
Good luck.
"How about I just use my CCC or Time Machine backup?"
OK, that settles it.
The BEST option is to use your CCC backup.
How to do it:
a. Just before the new Mac arrives, run CCC on your old Mac "for the last time".
b. When the new Mac arrives, take it out of the box, get your connections set, BUT DO NOT PRESS THE POWER ON BUTTON YET !
c. Connect the CCC backup drive. NOW press the power on button.
d. Begin setup. At the appropriate moment, setup assistant will ask if you wish to migrate from another drive. YES, you want to do this, so...
e. "Aim" setup assistant at the CCC backup and give it time to "digest" everything (it will take a little while).
f. SA will present you with "a list" of stuff to migrate. Coming from a 2017 Mac, I'd suggest you just "migrate it all" (apps included).
g. Let SA do its thing. Again, it will take a while (but migrating from a CCC backup will be the fastest of all possible choices).
h. When done, you should see your original login screen. So log in and "look around".
i. BE AWARE that some 3rd-party apps may not run or will require upgrades. That's the way it goes.
Good luck.
Thanks for that. Is there any reason you recommend using the CCC backup rather than the Time Machine BU? Why would that be faster than the TM backup or using an ethernet cable between computers? I'm asking mostly out of simple curiosity.
"Is there any reason you recommend using the CCC backup rather than the Time Machine BU?"
I'm thinking that with time machine (which I DO NOT use), there are many "versions" of files that setup assistant must "sort through" as it copies from the backup to the new drive. Thus, "the slowdown".
With CCC, of course, there's only one. (unless you use the "safety net" feature)
I'm thinking that with time machine (which I DO NOT use), there are many "versions" of files that setup assistant must "sort through" as it copies from the backup to the new drive. Thus, "the slowdown".
With CCC, of course, there's only one. (unless you use the "safety net" feature)
No problem there at all. My MBA was on Sierra, and my M1 Pro MBP is on Monterrey. If I could use MA with a TM backup of an OS last updated in 2016-2017, you should have no problem with the differences in the OS going back a year.
BL.
The migration went well with the Time Machine disk. Just a few hiccups, as usual, but all is well. I would have used the CCC copy, but I did have "safety net" turned on, so TM seemed safer.
Thank you for your help Fishrrman and Bradl, Mr Brightside & RM5!
Thank you for your help Fishrrman and Bradl, Mr Brightside & RM5!