kob101

Q: Migrate messages from Macbook Air 2012 to new iMac 2016

How do I migrate all of my messages (text, iMessage) from my Macbook Air 2012 to my new 2016 iMac? I have a lot of messages on my laptop and I would like to migrate them to my iMac just to have them for memory/reference later on. I am doing this because I would like to activate the monthly message refresh on my iPhone so it will not have to queue up all of my messages from years ago and I am also reformatting my old Macbook Air. Is there a way to do this? Thanks!

MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X El Capitan (10.11.6), null

Posted on Sep 10, 2016 2:00 PM

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Q: Migrate messages from Macbook Air 2012 to new iMac 2016

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  • by Kappy,Solvedanswer

    Kappy Kappy Sep 10, 2016 9:21 PM in response to kob101
    Level 10 (270,928 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 10, 2016 9:21 PM in response to kob101

    Messages and mail accounts and data are found in the /Home/Library/Messages/ and /Home/Library/Mail/ folders. Just copy the contents to the same folders on the new computer.

     

    Or you can migrate your entire Home folder from the old computer to the new one. This can be done using Thunderbolt cable between the two and using Target Disk Mode Use Migration Assistant on the new computer to migrate your Home folder. This could also be accomplished from a Time Machine or other external backup drive.

     

    Migration will not overwrite any user account that has already been created on the new computer. MA will simply create a new Admin user account name. You will then need to switch over to the newly migrated account.

  • by kob101,

    kob101 kob101 Sep 10, 2016 9:22 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 10, 2016 9:22 PM in response to Kappy

    Thank you for the prompt and very detailed answer, Kappy! I tried migrating the messages folder and copying it to the new computer but it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. Just migrated the entire account onto the new computer and now all is well. Thank you very much!!