Best way to transfer my settings and data from old iMac to a new M4 Mac Mini Pro

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Level 1

8 points

Best way to transfer my settings and data from old iMac to a new M4 Mac Mini Pro

I have decided to retire my old iMac Retina 5k, 27inch, Late 2015, 16GB, 3TB Fusion Drive machine running macOS Monterey. I have a Seagate external drive running Time Machine Backup from a USB3 port. The iMac also has two Thunderbolt 2 ports.

I have purchased a Mac Mini M4 Pro with 4TB and am awaiting delivery. I have already collected a studio display.

My question is how best to set up the new Mac Mini when it arrives so that the process is relatively quick and painless. I don't want to use wi-fi.

Is it best to use Migration Assistant or Setup Assistant?

If Migration Assistant what lead/adapter combination should I use given that the Mac Mini has Thunderbolt 5 ports and USB C ports? Would a Thunderbolt 2 Cable with a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter be the best solution.https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/MYH93ZM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter?fnode=03eac6c773499ba5bc07125a0fd4bce2b925531d1c4c3805a631d874ee39f45f786cc1e2fe6e4e62eb22a460fb84a5638a38cb51b35aa4ef1e137c63dd0ca5947b503f25c870bd99642b2c6bfc47cc700af77c31da5b4a91393bd55148a9d00a

Presume the Thunderbolt 3 adapter will fit into the USB3 port on the Mac Mini? It does seem a bit pricy at £50 for an adapter plus I d have to buy A Thunderbolt 2 Cable.

Would it be almost as quick to use a USB 3 to USB C Cable which I can get for £5 from Amazon? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazon-Basics-Adapter-High-Speed-Certified/dp/B01GGKYR2O/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3DM5N6Z9CEN8F&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.j9hp0CbVUbhaxpN2CwiINa0DVcTyUrj-8QX_9NJtRctuHmxvjdIr2jFDORbKKNwa-my0JLE4HoRiDxGWO422HC8dm4i-PP-gGGCOLIcJLchglUpt06zRrBpH34bT_P6l7QRbyXeHgD6DmocSgsn3_ikxUs_8juf-VkeK_-KBABiCTpsMyhMTYYpLzmKPgxBWNNmX1jzpJZ80qhSvRz_jbEprvppIFRK8ZSGYqALc1DA.E7dIfSlFv0tfdLn77-rXYcD-JH_MTwIVZdvVfadAFAI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Apple+usb+3+to+usb+c+data+cable&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1732878672&sprefix=apple+usb+3+to+usb+c+data+cable%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-5

Is using Setup Assistant an easier way of doing this? Presume I could plug my seagate back up drive into the new mac mini using the USB 3 to USB C Cable but maybe this would be very slow. Its a fairly old Seagate so think it might be USB 2.

Really appreciate any advice on the best way forward for a relative quick but not too expensive solution.

Peter

iMac 27″, 12.7

Posted on Nov 29, 2024 3:23 AM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,660 points

Nov 29, 2024 9:09 AM in response to Miradorne

· Always connect your old Mac's Time Machine External Hard Disk prior to startup, this will allow a migration from your TM backup and it will be dead simple! When you start the new Mac for the first time it will startup Setup Assistant (SA), SA will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another computer, select Yes and follow the on-screen prompts and it's done! It is that simple! This is the easiest, quickest and most reliable method to migrate from the old Mac to the new Mac is to simply connect the old Mac's Time Machine External Hard Disk to the new Mac using a USB cable before you turn on the new Mac.

· NOTE 1: You will likely need a USB A to USB C adapter, you can find them on Amazon for $10 or less.

· NOTE 2: If you have already done SA on the new computer then simply connect the Time Machine External Hard Disk using a USB cable and launch Migration Assistant (MA) which is located in Applications - Utilities - MA. Then follow the on-screen prompts.

· The ONLY difference between MA and SA is MA will create a new user account that you need to log into.

Both SA and MA migrate applications (not 32 bit apps), data files & settings. They do not migrate Mac OS itself. Some professional apps such as Adobe and Microsoft apps may require re-installing their apps as they will not allow them to be migrated. As long as you kept the security keys for installing their apps, it is not an issue.

Finally, my recommendation is not using Wi-Fi when doing Setup Assistant or Migration Assistant. Why, it simply fails in a lot of the cases reported in these forums. A wired connection is more reliable and the last thing you need is a failed migration when there are safe methods readily available. Please read and follow the directions in Setup Assistant and Migration Assistant. If you do not have a Time Machine backup of the older Mac then create one!If you are not aware of Time Machine, please read Back up your Mac with Time Machine and finally if you need an External Hard Disk to use as a Time Machine External Hard Disk then many experience users on these forums prefer the OWC Mercury Elite Pro due to it's reasonable price, high level of quality and ease of use.

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Answer 2

John Galt

Level 10

157,166 points

Nov 29, 2024 4:45 AM in response to Miradorne

Apple doesn't use the "Setup Assistant" terminology any more, probably because it described the action that resulted from setting up a brand new Mac, which was to invoke Migration Assistant anyway. It launched the exact same app and did the same exact thing.

It's up to you whether you choose to populate the new Mac's content from the older one's Time Machine backup, or directly Mac to Mac. There is literally no difference, but if you choose the former Time Machine will seamlessly pick up where it left off, which would be my personal preference.

Would it be almost as quick to use a USB 3 to USB C Cable which I can get for £5 from Amazon?

That cable (now showing £3.93 in the US, anyway) should work fine. Bear in mind the processing "overhead" required to examine the source Mac (or its TM backup) and perform the transfer is far greater than, and will obviate any bandwidth limitation imposed by whatever connection method you decide upon. Even USB2, even wireless.

On that subject I'd try Wi-Fi first, but again that's just my personal preference since it's convenient. For £3.93 it's probably not even worth the effort. Wired is always better, so you might as well buy that cable now.

Lastly don't hesitate to contact Apple the moment you unbox your new Mac. Personal phone or chat assistance with setting up a new Mac is a service included in its purchase price. Tell them "hi I just got my new Mac, and it's on my desk ready to go. What should I do now?" They'll love to hear that. If you didn't get an email soliciting that service, then contact them using the Support link below.

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