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I started the migration yesterday from my MacBook Air to my new MacBook Air. How can I tell if it’s actually doing anything? The same screen has been there all night.

How can I tell that it’s actually transferring files?

Posted on Oct 17, 2020 5:52 AM

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Posted on Oct 19, 2020 9:47 AM

Because Apple has so frequently changed ports these last few years I strongly recommend using a TimeMachine backup to migrate data. WiFi is too slow. Theoretically using a wired network connection should work but all too frequently TM stalls with a network connection. Knowing which cables will work between MacBook generations can be frustrating - and expensive if you’ll be using that cable just the one time.


However everyone needs a backup drive and restoring/migrating from that backup drive is very reliable.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 19, 2020 9:47 AM in response to phdw05

Because Apple has so frequently changed ports these last few years I strongly recommend using a TimeMachine backup to migrate data. WiFi is too slow. Theoretically using a wired network connection should work but all too frequently TM stalls with a network connection. Knowing which cables will work between MacBook generations can be frustrating - and expensive if you’ll be using that cable just the one time.


However everyone needs a backup drive and restoring/migrating from that backup drive is very reliable.

I started the migration yesterday from my MacBook Air to my new MacBook Air. How can I tell if it’s actually doing anything? The same screen has been there all night.

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