You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: John Heath1
John Heath1 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Data migration

What is the fastest way to migrate data from an old Mac to a new Mac?

iMac 21.5", macOS 10.14

Posted on Apr 26, 2019 7:59 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,879 points

Posted on Apr 26, 2019 8:07 PM

  1. Get a USB 3.0 based external drive.
  2. Format the drive using GUID and Mac OS Extended, Journaled.
  3. Connect it to the old computer.
  4. Copy your files to the external drive.
  5. Move the drive over to the new computer.
  6. Restore your files to their proper locations.
View in context

Similar questions

2 replies
User profile for user: rkaufmann87
rkaufmann87
User level: Level 10
144,910 points

Apr 26, 2019 9:04 PM in response to John Heath1

VERY VERY simple, connect the old computers Time Machine Backup External Hard Disk via a USB cable to the new computer.


A) If you have never started the new computer, once you startup it will launch Setup Assistant, SA will eventually ask if you are migrating from another Mac. Select Yes. Then follow the on-screen prompts.


B) If you have already started the new computer, with the Time Machine External Hard Disk connected as stated above, launch Migration Assistant and follow the on-screen prompts.



Reply

Data migration

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up