Why does Migration Assistant not support thunderbolt connection?

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Why does Migration Assistant not support thunderbolt connection?

I’m migrating laptops (brand new 13” MacBook Pro to brand new 15” MacBook Pro). Both are running the newest version of macOS. I am using the Migration Assistant utility.

I have both laptops connected directly via a Thunderbolt/USB-C connection. Unfortunately, the migration assistant is only using the WiFi for the data transfer. I don’t see any option to change this.

This means in spite of having 4x10Gbps capable ports on the larger MBP and 2x10Gbps capable ports on the smaller MBP and incredibly fast SSD’s on both, I am limited to the ~400Mbps speed I can get through my WiFi.

I’m wondering if this is expected and if there’s any way I can force the migration assistant to use the direct thunderbolt connection rather than WiFi.

Thanks!

Posted on Jul 22, 2019 5:42 PM

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Answer 1

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Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

133,123 points

Jul 22, 2019 7:08 PM in response to macjack

That article suggests that if you have a ThunderBolt-to ThunderBolt connection, just put the old Mac in to target disk mode and it will Mount as a drive on the new Mac. That will provide disk-to-disk speeds.

Use target disk mode to move files to another computer - Apple Support

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Answer 2

macjack

Level 10

111,204 points

Jul 22, 2019 5:48 PM in response to binonexus

Wi-Fi is the slowest way to Migrate if it completes at all. The fastest way is to Migrate from a TIme Machine backup. Or turn off Wi-Fi and transfer via Ethernet (not as fast as from a TM backup, but faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi)

How to move your content to a new Mac - Apple Support

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Why does Migration Assistant not support thunderbolt connection?

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