CWDubai
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: How do I manually transfer mail accounts/files to new macbook pro

I have new macbook pro retina 13" and doing a clean install from a 2011 macbook pro.  I have been basically successful with exception of the mail accounts and files.  Both machines are on latest el capitan ver 10.11.2 - both machines have the same version of Mail ver 9.2 (3112).

 

I use POP mail - not IMAP - do not use the cloud.  I know pluses and minuses, but this is the way it is.  I have 5 different mail accounts with associated folders and files.

 

I have already tried copying the mail and download mail files from the library into the same folder on the new computer.  When opening the Mail on new computer it insists to set up new account.  I have tried setting up a mail account.  THEN replacing the new folders in the library/mail folder with the mail folder from the old computer - again doe snot work.  I have also copied the library/container/apple.com.mail folder - and every other mail related file can find int he mail folder.  again with out success.

 

Yes did try importing mail  but this does NOT bring in my folders or accounts. 

 

Any ideas before I clear the drive and do a migrate from scratch - loosing the clean install process.

 

thanks

Posted on Jan 9, 2016 2:16 PM

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Q: How do I manually transfer mail accounts/files to new macbook pro

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  • Helpful answers

  • by AustinJGibson,Helpful

    AustinJGibson AustinJGibson Jan 9, 2016 3:56 PM in response to CWDubai
    Level 4 (1,037 points)
    Jan 9, 2016 3:56 PM in response to CWDubai

    The best option is to use Migration Assistant to transfer your accounts and files. This will avoid corruption of the library, which can cause several other problems. And it won't "eliminate the clean install status."

     

    Move your content to a new Mac - Apple Support

     

    Best regards,

    Austin

  • by babowa,Helpful

    babowa babowa Jan 9, 2016 3:58 PM in response to CWDubai
    Level 7 (32,249 points)
    iPad
    Jan 9, 2016 3:58 PM in response to CWDubai

    If you insist on doing this manually, then it is time consuming, but I've done it once. Mail's file hierarchy/system has changed, so you cannot copy entire folders. You actually need to dig down to the actual emails and copy those - which means you need to create new folders (such as "purchases") in Mail and then copy over every email individually. They are buried in sub-sub-sub-sub folders. Quit Mail and copy over the individual emails into the appropriate folders. After you finish, open Mail and immediately rebuild each individual mailbox. It worked for me, but was very time consuming.

  • by CWDubai,

    CWDubai CWDubai Jan 9, 2016 3:57 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 9, 2016 3:57 PM in response to babowa

    thanks - I sort of thot if one computer see's it the other should see the same thing.  Thanks for the reply

  • by CWDubai,

    CWDubai CWDubai Jan 9, 2016 3:58 PM in response to AustinJGibson
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 9, 2016 3:58 PM in response to AustinJGibson

    thanks for the reply.

    Question - will the migration redo the whole computer? or just what is missing?

    Or do I need to clear all the old date off?  or maybe just set up a new user and migrate into that?

  • by AustinJGibson,

    AustinJGibson AustinJGibson Jan 9, 2016 5:53 PM in response to CWDubai
    Level 4 (1,037 points)
    Jan 9, 2016 5:53 PM in response to CWDubai

    If you'd like, you will have the option of replacing your new account with your old one. Just run Migration Assistant and it will guide you through the process.

     

    I hope this answers your question!

     

    Best regards,

    Austin

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Jan 9, 2016 5:56 PM in response to CWDubai
    Level 7 (32,249 points)
    iPad
    Jan 9, 2016 5:56 PM in response to CWDubai

    Do note that using Migration Assistant after setting up an account on a Mac may result in duplicate files/user folders; the only process that does not do that would be Setup Assistant only available during the initial setup of a new machine or after erasing/reinstalling the OS.

  • by AustinJGibson,

    AustinJGibson AustinJGibson Jan 9, 2016 6:02 PM in response to babowa
    Level 4 (1,037 points)
    Jan 9, 2016 6:02 PM in response to babowa

    If the home folder has the same name, migration assistant will ask the user if they would like to replace the new home folder created by setup assistant with the old one from their old computer.

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Jan 9, 2016 6:06 PM in response to AustinJGibson
    Level 7 (32,249 points)
    iPad
    Jan 9, 2016 6:06 PM in response to AustinJGibson

    Well, hopefully it will work that way. I was not so lucky and spent more than one week getting rid of all the duplicates. Have you tried it?

  • by AustinJGibson,

    AustinJGibson AustinJGibson Jan 10, 2016 7:41 AM in response to babowa
    Level 4 (1,037 points)
    Jan 10, 2016 7:41 AM in response to babowa

    That's odd! When I got my new MacBook Pro with Retina display back in December, I initially didn't use Migration Assistant, and when I finally did decide to use it, my home folder on the MBPR had the same short name and full name as the one I transferred from my MacBook Air. I had no problem with duplicate files.

     

    Best regards,

    Austin