New MacBook setup with data Migration issue

armadilloWorldHQ wrote:

Yes, that's what I'm debating about doing. I did some hunting online, and found a detailed description of MacBook set up that said when doing Migration Assistant data transfer, the old and new Macs need to be running same OS version. Mine were Catalina and Big Sur. So I don't understand whether I'll end up with a Mac that has problems that are hard to correct. And I don't know enough about Mac setup to know whether I can start the whole setup and data transfer over from scratch from factory settings. I suspect that this weird password question is due to the OS mismatch. Thanks.

There is no such requirement for the macOS to be the same— it often not the case when you move to a new machine.

The most trouble free way to move to a new machine,  is using the Setup Assistant on the initial boot of a brand new machine— you have one shot here unless you erase/initilize the drive and start over. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205749

and try again.

If that opportunity has past, the second best way is use the Migration Assistant.

How to move your content to a new Mac https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204350

armadilloWorldHQ wrote:

I'm trying to setup a new MacBook Pro, using Migration Assistant LAN transfer of data from my old MacBook to new MacBook. The old Mac was running Catalina and new Mac is Big Sur. During setup the data transfer went to completion, per old Mac saying it was done. The new Mac halted at a dialog window: 'Software Update is trying to authenticate user. Enter password for the user "Setup User" to allow this.' I did not create a user Setup User on either Mac.

Why not carry through and see where it leaves. you...

armadilloWorldHQ wrote:

Thanks! That worked. Looks good.

Good computing armadilloWorldHQ !