Migration assistant - Unable to connect

My company has decided to upgrade my macbook from 2019 pro to 2024 pro. My colleagues were able to migrate theirs using the migration assistant, however when I try to migrate mine I get the error:

Unableto Connect.
Failed to connect to MacBook Pro 2019, please re-select
this Source.

I've tried with wifi and with usb c cable, but both have the same problem .Also I've tried turning off the

firewalls on both devices, I've booted in safe mode.. everything I could find did not work. I saw that you can use external drive to migrate your mac, but currently I don't have one.

Any ideas?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.2

Posted on Jan 11, 2025 7:48 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 11, 2025 7:53 AM

Try using an Ethernet cable. Here is the process you can use. It is very easy to use. Be sure to read and follow its instructions. Basically, the process is as follows.

You first begin by starting the process of setting up your new computer. You will be asked if you wish to transfer files. Respond YES and follow the instructions you will be given.

·      You will be told to turn both computers on and activate Migration Assistant in the old computer.

·      The computers should be connected with a cable to facilitate the transfer. Wi-Fi is not suited for a transfer of so much data and corruption often results. If you must use it, make sure the two computers are located close together.

·      You will be given several options of what to transfer. You will likely want to transfer your settings and preferences.

·      You can transfer all or none of your files. You do not have an option to select certain files to transfer. If you wish to do that, then do so manually. You can transfer all or none of your installed apps. Some people elect to download fresh installations to the new computer instead.

·      The old computer's operating system will not be transferred. No data from the old computer is erased.

·      Allow for up to an hour for the transfer process to complete once you start it.

·      It should set up the new computer the same as the old one.

·      When that is successful, you can log into the new Mac with the old User Account name and password and delete the brand-new user or leave it in place as a second admin account.

Enjoy your new Mac.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 11, 2025 7:53 AM in response to atanasbekiarov

Try using an Ethernet cable. Here is the process you can use. It is very easy to use. Be sure to read and follow its instructions. Basically, the process is as follows.

You first begin by starting the process of setting up your new computer. You will be asked if you wish to transfer files. Respond YES and follow the instructions you will be given.

·      You will be told to turn both computers on and activate Migration Assistant in the old computer.

·      The computers should be connected with a cable to facilitate the transfer. Wi-Fi is not suited for a transfer of so much data and corruption often results. If you must use it, make sure the two computers are located close together.

·      You will be given several options of what to transfer. You will likely want to transfer your settings and preferences.

·      You can transfer all or none of your files. You do not have an option to select certain files to transfer. If you wish to do that, then do so manually. You can transfer all or none of your installed apps. Some people elect to download fresh installations to the new computer instead.

·      The old computer's operating system will not be transferred. No data from the old computer is erased.

·      Allow for up to an hour for the transfer process to complete once you start it.

·      It should set up the new computer the same as the old one.

·      When that is successful, you can log into the new Mac with the old User Account name and password and delete the brand-new user or leave it in place as a second admin account.

Enjoy your new Mac.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck.

Jan 11, 2025 7:59 AM in response to atanasbekiarov

USB-C cable is a LOCAL peripheral cable. It can NOT be used for Mac-to-Mac connections such as this one.


What you may want to do is make a File Sharing connection between the Macs before you begin. Then you will know there IS a possible path between them.


if you have a Time machine backup drive, that works the best. Just connect it as a local drive on the new Mac before you begin.


if the old Mac is running MacOS 10.12 Sierra or later, and you place the two computers VERY close together, they will attempt to create an Ad-hoc Wi-Fi connection between them for the transfer.

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Migration assistant - Unable to connect

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