I'm trying to use Migration Assistant to move files from my old iMac to my new MacBook via Time Machine. When I click continue on Migration Assistant it tells me authentication failed and that I don't have the credentials to access the files. Huh?
iMac, OS X 10.11
Hey there MMiglioretti,
We understand you're trying to transfer content from your iMac to your new MacBook, and we'd like to share some resources that can help.
Depending on which new MacBook you have, let's have you reset the SMC, if you have a Mac that doesn't contain the Apple silicon:
Mac computers with Apple silicon
How to reset the SMC of your Mac
Then try the Migration Assistant again: Move your content to a new Mac
Alternatively, to restore from Time Machine backup, take a look at this page: Restore your Mac from a backup
Cheers!
On the older Mac is there any third party antivirus, cleaning or any other "maintenance" apps installed?
When you buy a new Mac the easiest, quickest and most reliable method is to simply connect the old Mac's Time Machine External Hard Disk to the new Mac using a USB cable before you turn on the new Mac. When you start the new Mac for the first time it will startup Setup Assistant (SA), SA will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another computer, select Yes and follow the on-screen prompts and it's done! It is THAT simple.
If you have already done SA on the new computer then simply connect the Time Machine External Hard Disk using a USB cable and launch Migration Assistant (MA) which is located in Applications - Utilities - MA. Then follow the on-screen prompts.
The ONLY difference between MA and SA is MA will create a new user account that you need to log into.
Both SA and MA migrate applications (not 32 bit apps) , data files, settings, it does not migrate Mac OS itself. Some professional apps such as Adobe and Microsoft apps may require re-installing their apps as they will not allow them to be migrated. As long as you kept the security keys for installing their apps, it is not a big deal.
Was the Time Machine drive from the old Mac connected to the new Mac using a USB cable?
I tried that but I got a message that authentication failed and that I didn’t have the credentials to access the files.
Is the new MacBook a M1 chip?
No.
2.3 GHz quad-core i7
Okay, please do the following on the older and newer system:
Please navigate to the Mac App Store or navigate to www.Etrecheck.com and download the free version of EtreCheck. Once you have you downloaded the app and installed it, please run the report and save it. This report will help us get a good idea what has been installed on your system and help us be able to diagnose what may be wrong.
When you have your report, you can attach it when you reply to this message and we can then review it and help you determine what is needed to get your system running well again.
For instructions on how to download your EtreCheck report and attach it to your reply to this message please click https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250000211
migration assistant authentication failed
