Need correct Data Transfer Cable: 2011 iMac to 2023 Mac mini (M2 Pro)

Question

Level 1

24 points

Need correct Data Transfer Cable: 2011 iMac to 2023 Mac mini (M2 Pro)

Doing a clean install for the Mac mini. So, I need to transfer data from the iMac (Eg. Mail folder, Mail Preferences, KeyChain, etc.).

I'm leaning towards Target Disk Mode rather than Migration Assistant.

Although Migration Assistant would be easier, I believe Target Disk Mode provides a more precise way of selecting needed folders/files to transfer. Correct me if I'm wrong!

So what cable do I need?

I found out that a Thunderbolt 4 cable won't work on the iMac.

iMac 27″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Dec 9, 2023 11:17 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

den.thed

Level 10

92,230 points

Dec 15, 2023 11:36 AM in response to semidriven

The 2011 iMac can only do Target Disk Mode from the FireWire port which involves using a FireWire cable, a FireWire to Thunderbolt 2 adapter and then a Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter.

If you are set on not Migrating from your Time Machine backup, then your best bet is to copy the files that you want from the 2011 iMac onto a USB external drive and then plug that into the new Mac mini.

A second slower method is to use File Sharing over your local network or over a direct Ethernet connection.

see > Set up file sharing on Mac - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 2

Dec 10, 2023 5:02 AM in response to semidriven

The easiest way and much less hassle is to simply use Migration Assistant on the new Mini and connect a Time Machine backup or clone from your old iMac. You do have a backup? If not, you really need one as data loss can happen at any time for any myriad of reasons.

Also, there is generally no simple way to manually move settings from one machine to another and migration is the best approach.

Also note, that because of the large age difference, many of the apps on the old iMac (the old iMac could do both 32 and 64 bit apps) may not work as the new Mini OS is 64bit only and 32 bit apps will need to be upgraded or if replaced by apps that are 64 bit.

Reply

Answer 3

semidriven Author

Level 1

24 points

Dec 10, 2023 5:56 AM in response to woodmeister50

Thanks for responding!

Agreed -- Migration Assistant is the simplest, most hassle-free way of transmitting data between the old & new machines. I'm not sure I would go the Time Machine back-up route, but that is a viable option! And yes I back up daily!

I've already downloaded all the apps on the new machine (64-bit). So I'm only interested in transferring user data (mail, photos, documents, etc.).

What I'm doing is influenced by the following article: How to Set Up a New Mac: Should You Migrate or Do a Clean Installation?

Reply

Answer 4

semidriven Author

Level 1

24 points

Dec 15, 2023 10:18 AM in response to semidriven

Update: Ordered/Received a USB-C 2-1 data cable. Cable runs from the USB-C connection on the iMac to the Thunderbolt connection on the Mac mini.

Followed the Target Disk Mode instructions.

Isn't working.

When iMac is rebooted to Target Disk Mode, it displays two moving icons (Thunderbolt symbol & some other symbol I don't recognize).

The Mac mini (Finder > Locations > Network displays a PC computer icon. Tried to connect to it and connection failed (That can't be the iMac can it?)

So I rebooted the Mac mini and it asked me for a password for the other drive (at least I believe it was for the other drive). Same results as the previous sentence.

What am I missing?

Reply