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I tried following the instructions here: Use Ethernet to connect two Mac computers - Apple Support, but it's not working. It's between a Mac mini and a Mac Pro. On my Mac mini, it seems to show the network it was connected to a router. On the Mac Pro, it doesn't see anything on the network.
What should I do?
Mac mini, macOS 10.15
Ah! Okay, so what you want to do is use the Migration Assistant app to move your user files from the old to the new Mac.
Here's Apple's support document detailing that:
Move your content to a new Mac - Apple Support
The ethernet connection is best, otherwise both computers just have to be on the same wi-fi network. But wi-fi connection can be flakey in situations needing transfer of large amounts of data.
Please post back here if you find you have addition questions.
Ah! Okay, so what you want to do is use the Migration Assistant app to move your user files from the old to the new Mac.
Here's Apple's support document detailing that:
Move your content to a new Mac - Apple Support
The ethernet connection is best, otherwise both computers just have to be on the same wi-fi network. But wi-fi connection can be flakey in situations needing transfer of large amounts of data.
Please post back here if you find you have addition questions.
Yes. When I connect both macs to the network, and even when I turn off Wifi on both macs, when I start migrating, migration wizard chooses to use wifi.
I want to connect the macs directly with an ethernet cable connecting them together instead of connecting to the network. My original post is saying that I'm having trouble doing that. The macs are not seeing each other. The old mac is a Mac mini with Catalina, and the new mac is a Mac Pro with Big Sur, if that helps. When I follow the instructions in that link in my original post, which goes to https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-ethernet-to-connect-two-mac-computers-mchlp1413/10.14/mac/10.14, when I get to the step that says for me to browse, the old Mac mini seems to show the network that the Mac mini was connected to right before I disconnected from that network and connected the old Mac directly to the new Mac Pro. It doesn't show my new Mac Pro in Network. The new Mac Pro shows in Network nothing at all.
Obviously there is a problem with the network setup on one or both Macs. Unfortunately, network issues are not much my strength. About the best I can offer there is to reboot the Macs after changing the network settings and see if that helps. Also, make sure that you "Apply" those settings when you close the Sys Prefs > Network panel.
At this point, I'd take a shot at making the data transfer with wi-fi while the Macs are setup in close proximity, cross my fingers and hope for the best.
Or I would make a Time Machine backup of the old Mac on an external drive and use that with Migration Assistant.
Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support
Otherwise you'll have to correct the networking issue before you can use that connection.
I'm sure there are folks here in the Communities who know this stuff inside out.
Best of luck. 🍀
What, exactly, are you trying to accomplish by connecting these two Macs?
I'm trying to copy my profile from my old Mac mini to my new Mac Pro, and everything from my old Mac mini, including files on my Mac mini.
Thank you.
connect two Macs together directly
