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Can I use the same procedure described by rkaufmann87 (using SA instead of MA, and not using WiFi) except to use a Thunderbolt cable (instead of USB cable) to connect the new Mac to either (1) the old Mac itself, or (2) the old Mac’s Time Machine External Hard Disk?
You do exactly as I instructed in my initial post, I will post it again.
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.
You do exactly as I instructed in my initial post, I will post it again.
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.
As long as it is an Intel Mac, that's fine. M1 Macs may not support all applications, and will need upgrades.
Catalina and later may also need application upgrades. Don't be surprised to find some applications with prohibitory symbol on them.
Documents should transfer without a problem if the hard drive is healthy.
If the LaCie isn't healthy, but the older is computer is, that's where using Target Disk Mode with the older machine can be helpful.
2013 Macs came with Thunderbolt 2 ports which adapter to Thunderbolt 3 through this adapter:
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter
Do not confuse USB-C charging cables for Thunderbolt 3, as they are different, and the former does not transfer data.
Target Disk Mode 'T' key at startup on the old machine with a wired keyboard, makes it into an external hard drive from the machine connecting to it. You must first set target disk mode, and the connect the machines.
Depends on the age of the Mac.
USB is not usable as a direct migration assistant transfer, unless it is the USB-C that is a thunderbolt 3 or higher cabl;e.
Apple makes adapters to USB-C to Thunderbolt 2, and Thunderbolt 2 to Firewire 800. They can be chained together.
Alternatively, you can use ethernet for Migration Assistant.
Yes, I want to be smart and just want to make sure I've got the details right. I'm transferring all my data from an old (2013) iMac running OS Catalina to new Mac (2021) running presumably OS Big Sur. Old Mac is connected via cable to LaCie external hard disk for automatic Time Machine backups. I assume that (1) I take the new Mac out of the box (2) I disconnect the cable--running from the LaCie drive to the old Mac--from the old Mac's port (3) I connect that same cable to the new Mac's port (4) only then do I connect the new Mac to power and turn it on. Then I follow the prompts on the new Mac's screen; Setup Assistant will appear and ask if I'm migrating from another computer; say "Yes" and follow the prompt. Correct?
Don’t !!!! Use the process I described!!!!!!!! Be smart and not cheap. Or you can be cheap and see what happens, it may work it may not. Remember when you gamble most time you lose.
Transferring data from old Mac to new Mac
