Mac migration from another mac (both are Mac Minis)

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redboat77 Author

Level 1

4 points

Mac migration from another mac (both are Mac Minis)

I recently purchased a new Mac Mini (M1). I am trying to migrate from my circa 2010 Mac Mini. What should I expect to see while the migration is actually occuring? I initiated it about 18 hours ago and the screens on both the old and new Mac have been unchanged since, and there is no indication of what level of progress has been made.

Also, if a cable is USB run between the two Macs, as I have done, should there be an indication that the transfer is being made via a cable? All I see is that the connection is via wi-fi.

Thanks

Mac mini, macOS 10.13

Posted on Mar 6, 2021 10:16 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

68,002 points

Mar 8, 2021 11:19 AM in response to redboat77

You should make a Time Machine backup to an external drive, and then attach that drive to the new mac.

Also: do NOT migrate everything. Migrate ONLY the user accounts. Install any applications fresh.

Your 2010 mac has probably been upgraded over several years and different OS versions. You do not want to bring old system extensions which are likely to not work or cause issues on your brand new mac.

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Answer 2

Mar 8, 2021 9:05 AM in response to redboat77

Follow the instructions provided here: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-mini/transfer-your-data-apd6a937e818/2019/mac/10.15

or if you're running big sur, follow these instructions instead: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-mini/transfer-your-data-apd6a937e818/2020/mac/11

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Answer 3

Mar 8, 2021 11:16 AM in response to redboat77

redboat77 wrote:

Thunderbolt 3 is USB-C.

Wrong. They only share the same port. TB3 features a much higher bandwidth capability than USB-C, and has data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps. TB3 also allows you to connect dual 4K monitors, as well as with external graphics solutions, and allows peer to peer connection at 10 GbE speeds. TB3 has all of USB-C features, but USB-C does not support all of Thunderbolt 3 features. They are not the same. I have never known anyone who has had good luck using the USB-C cable for this procedure, but I guess anything would be possible.

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Answer 4

redboat77 Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 8, 2021 11:18 AM in response to MyApple8MyPC

Then the link you sent is very misleading. Here's are quotes from the link "Tip: For fastest migration, connect your old computer to your Mac mini with a cable, such as a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable."

"Connect the device to the USB 3 port or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port on your Mac mini, then drag files from the storage device to your Mac mini.

Use Target Disk Mode. Depending on the type of Thunderbolt port on your old computer, you need different cables and/or adapters:

Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port: You need a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) cable. Plug one end into a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port on your old computer and one end into a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port on your Mac mini."

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Answer 5

redboat77 Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 8, 2021 8:49 AM in response to redboat77

I was never able to make this migration via a Wi-Fi connection, even though the machined were literally on top of each other and using the same network that tested at over 60 Mbps rates on both machines.

I also tried a direct USB connection between the two Mac Minis, but suspect the cable was bad. Unfortunately the backup disc I had been using for the old machine (circa 2010 Mac Mini) had an interface that was incompatible with the new machine.

I finally used another (mutually compatible) backup disc to backup the first Mac Mini with Time Machine and then make the migration to the second machine.

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Answer 6

Mar 8, 2021 9:22 AM in response to redboat77

redboat77 wrote:

I also tried a direct USB connection between the two Mac Minis, but suspect the cable was bad.

I don't think USB is supported. You'll need TB3 for best results, but an ethernet cable should also work, but it will be slower of course.

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Answer 7

redboat77 Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 8, 2021 11:24 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Yes, this works. In fact, as I stated above, that is what I eventually did. It was inconvenient since I had to get another (mutually compatible) backup drive. The one I was using with my old Mac Mini did not have an interface compatible with the new Mac Mini.

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