How long should it take to transfer files from one Mac to another?

artbygrace, Do you have migration assistant running on both computers? You only need it running on the computer that you are migrating to. (new computer) if they are not directly connected it is going to take a long long time to complete. I had an external drive with a clone of computer I was migrating from connected via a USB hub and it took over 3 hours to migrate. If you are attempting this over wifi then it will take even longer. You used to be able to connect both computers together with an ethernet cable directly. I'm not sure if that works anymore.

Paul

I know that Apple's instructions say that you can use Wi-Fi or Ethernet, but don't. Use a USC cable do the transfer and, otherwise follow all instructions. Ethernet is slower and unreliable, although it works. Wi-Fi almost always results in the data being corrupted. If you are using Wi-Fi, then start over and use the wired connection to get a successful transfer. It should typically take an hour, more or less. Good luck.

Paul, there is no network needed or used to do a transfer via Migration Assistant. Just a direct connection and the software to manage the transfer of data. This method has been used countless times. I have used it myself many times. Basically, the steps are as follows. Turn on the new Mac. Do the initial setup. It will ask you if you want to do a transfer using Migration assistant. You connect the two computers (the old one must be on) and click yes to start the process. At one point you will select the items to be transferred: data (all or none), preferences and apps, if I remember correctly. It will not transfer your old operating system or mess with the new one. The transfer may take an hour, more or less depending on the volume of data to be transferred. I suggest you take a few minutes and read the Migration Assistant instructions. That should help clear things up for you.

Ronasara, I disagree about ethernet being unreliable. It can be slower. But how do you connect two computer via USB and have them see each other on the network? I see a thunderbolt bridge in my network control panel but that is it. Thunderbolt 3 does use the USB C connector but it isn't USB. The cables are different. So artbygrace would need a Thunderbolt cable. Also if the old mac isn't Thunderbolt 3 artbygrace would need an adapter.

Artbygrace - does the old computer have Thunderbolt? If so which version. If you are not sure then let us know which computer the old iMac is and we can help figure out the exactly you need.

Paul

artbygrace, I'm not sure a USB C cable will work. Look into Ethernet cables. A USB c cable will work if you are connecting to a external hard drive.

Paul

artbygrace, how are you trying to transfer files between the macs? Migration Assistant?

Paul

You are welcome. It should go just fine. Enjoy your new Mac.

Your welcome.

Macs have USB ports. Some newer ones have different connectors than the old ones have. You can either find a cable with the right connectors at each end or add an adapter to complete the connection. Ethernet will work, but it is not reliable due to its slower speed. Slow speeds are what cause the resultant corruption of data. This issue has been much discussed here on this forum, so we have experience to guide us.

I didn't realize that it worked via direct connection anymore. I understand the process I have done in many times in the past. I've always used an external drive that is usually a clone of the drive I'm migrating from. Your explanation makes more sense now.

Paul