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
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.
Posted on Sep 10, 2016 9:21 PM