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Transfer of files, documents, pics, and iTunes

I’m getting a new iMac desktop to replace my 12 year old lMac desktop. Is the transition something I can do on my own, or do I need an outside company to assist me? Thank you!!

iMac, OS X 10.11

Posted on Apr 23, 2021 7:32 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 23, 2021 7:35 AM

Hi Steviescorner,


You do it yourself.


If you have a Time Machine backup drive, you connect it to the new Mac and follow the prompts. If you don't have a backup drive, learn about Migration Assistant: Move your content to a new Mac - Apple Support. If you do Migration Assistant, you MUST connect the two Macs directly with an Ethernet Cable, and for some new Macs, this requires an adapter.


Cheers,


Jack

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 23, 2021 7:35 AM in response to Steviescorner

Hi Steviescorner,


You do it yourself.


If you have a Time Machine backup drive, you connect it to the new Mac and follow the prompts. If you don't have a backup drive, learn about Migration Assistant: Move your content to a new Mac - Apple Support. If you do Migration Assistant, you MUST connect the two Macs directly with an Ethernet Cable, and for some new Macs, this requires an adapter.


Cheers,


Jack

Apr 23, 2021 7:47 AM in response to Steviescorner

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. 


Transfer of files, documents, pics, and iTunes

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