What's the best way to transfer files between an old and new Mac?

[davidg4781]

I'm working on transferring files between my old 2010 MBP and new 2020 MBP.

I can't use AirDrop since the old one is too old. I have a USB HDD I can put files on to transfer. I think the bottleneck would be moving them from the old to the HDD. From the HDD to new is pretty quick with USB 3.

Is my best option is to just use wifi/file transfer?

I was going to use Migration Assistant but don't need to move everything over.

 

[chown33]

Look into target disk mode:

Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode

You can connect two Mac computers using a USB, USB-C, or Thunderbolt cable, then transfer files.

support.apple.com

It will depend on having a cable with the proper connector on each end.

 

[davidg4781]

Look into target disk mode:

Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode

You can connect two Mac computers using a USB, USB-C, or Thunderbolt cable, then transfer files.

support.apple.com

It will depend on having a cable with the proper connector on each end.

I realized I have a USB cable with USB A on both ends. But it doesn't seem to work with my setup. AirDrop doesn't work either. I think my only options are via wifi transfer or USB HDD.

 

[capuzino]

If both of the devices are connected to same network, I'd just use File Sharing which can be set up through System Settings.

That way you can browse your old Mac's HDD contents with your new Mac and copy the files you need.

 

[davidg4781]

That's what I've been doing. I actually figured I can move larger files that way and smaller files to the HDD. That way I saturate the slower wifi on the old machine.

 

[capuzino]

That's what I've been doing. I actually figured I can move larger files that way and smaller files to the HDD. That way I saturate the slower wifi on the old machine.

If you have an extra ethernet-cable and a port for one in your router, you could speed things up by connecting the 2010 MBP wired to your network. Unlike AirDrop, File Sharing works even if one or both Macs are connected via ethernet to your network and Wi-Fi is turned off on that Mac.

 

[joevt]

A) take the 2.5 inch HDD out of the 2010 MacBook Pro and put it in a USB enclosure.
B) Firewire Target Disk Mode (requires Thunderbolt to FireWire adapter with Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter, or an old Thunderbolt 3 dock with a FireWire port, or a FireWire PCIe card in a Thunderbolt enclosure).
C) Ethernet.

 

[Fishrrman]

Are we talking A LOT of files here?
Or... just SOME files?

Joevt's suggestion to take the drive out of the 2010, and to put it into a USB3 enclosure, is a good one.
You could use an enclosure like this:

SABRENT 2.5 Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP)

SABRENT 2.5 Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP)

www.amazon.com

Or, you could use a USB3/SATA docking station. Many available.

When done, you could put the drive BACK INTO the 2010 MBP.

WARNING about permissions problems:
You will need to take steps to prevent permissions issues when copying files (via the finder) from the old Mac to the new one (even if you use the same account name and password).

Do this:
a. Connect external drive, let icon mount on desktop
b. Click on icon ONE TIME to select it
c. Bring up the "get info" box for the icon (command-i)
d. At the bottom of get info, click lock and enter password (the one you're using on the NEW Mac)
e. Put a check into "ignore ownership on this volume" (sharing and permissions)
f. Close get info.
Now you can copy files, and whatever you copy will "come under the ownership" of your NEW account on the NEW Mac.