Is it better to use Migration Assistant to move data from an old iMAC, to a not-so-old iMac? Older iMac runs on Ventura, the not so old iMac runs on Sonoma. And is it better to do data transfers with both iMacs in Safe Mode? I do that for Updates to make things go smoother.
iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 13.6
Where did you get the newer Mac? Was it prepared according to this Apple document: What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac - Apple Support? If it isn't can you do it?
If so the best method to transfer user data from an older Mac to a new one is the following:
1 - make sure you have a current Time Machine backup of the older Mac.
2 - with the newer Mac in the condition stated in the Apple document connect the Time Machine drive to the newer Mac.
3 - boot up the newer Mac and start configuring it.
4 - when you get to the Migration Assistant use it to copy all the user data to the newer Mac.
You don't need to put either in Safe Mode.
Where did you get the newer Mac? Was it prepared according to this Apple document: What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac - Apple Support? If it isn't can you do it?
If so the best method to transfer user data from an older Mac to a new one is the following:
1 - make sure you have a current Time Machine backup of the older Mac.
2 - with the newer Mac in the condition stated in the Apple document connect the Time Machine drive to the newer Mac.
3 - boot up the newer Mac and start configuring it.
4 - when you get to the Migration Assistant use it to copy all the user data to the newer Mac.
You don't need to put either in Safe Mode.
Thank you. The new, used, iMac was setup for trade. When the previous owner purchased his new iMac last week with Migration Assistance (and spending an hour with Apple Support), he went through the steps to reset the older iMac. Then he sent it to me since I was looking to have a second iMac in the house. I turned it on and went through some of the setup to get my Apple ID setup and then updated Sonoma to the latest update. Then turned it off, and have been waiting to get the nerve up to move the data from my older one to the newer one. This will be my 5th time migrating data from one iMac to another, but the first time not upgrading to a new iMac. Every upgrade I did had issues and it took days to get it straightened out. This next week I plan on clearing my calendar to do this. I will keep the older iMac for basic stuff like email and internet, and the newer one for photo work and hobby stuff since it is more robust.
Upgrading from a six year old iMac to a three year old iMac - Data Transfer
