You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: DD1001
DD1001 Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Transfer Data to new Mac Air

I am getting a new Mac Air laptop, and getting rid of my old iMac (High Sierra 10.13). Lots of extraneous stuff on the iMac, and it barely functions now. I am not very computer literate, but I am wondering if I should just transfer selected files and programs, and photos and music to the new laptop, rather than use the Migration Assistant and move everything over. Is it worth bothering with, and how exactly should I do it? Any advice will be much appreciated, thanks!

iMac, macOS 10.12

Posted on Jun 3, 2022 4:02 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: ku4hx
ku4hx
User level: Level 7
23,610 points

Posted on Jun 4, 2022 4:30 AM

If you like more granular control like I do, do the slow copy and paste from an external HDD that will become your new Mac's backup drive for Time Machine.


It's really a personal choice. If you want to start totally fresh with new settings and at the same time want the new Mac to be unique, don't use Migration Assistant.


Whichever you choose, the results will get your data moved over. It sounds to me you are wanting a totally fresh start.

View in context

Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: ku4hx
ku4hx
User level: Level 7
23,610 points

Jun 4, 2022 4:30 AM in response to DD1001

If you like more granular control like I do, do the slow copy and paste from an external HDD that will become your new Mac's backup drive for Time Machine.


It's really a personal choice. If you want to start totally fresh with new settings and at the same time want the new Mac to be unique, don't use Migration Assistant.


Whichever you choose, the results will get your data moved over. It sounds to me you are wanting a totally fresh start.

Reply

Transfer Data to new Mac Air

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up