Trying to use Migration Asst to transfer data from Win10 PC to 2024 Imac all-in-one

Question

Trying to use Migration Asst to transfer data from Win10 PC to 2024 Imac all-in-one

When I get to a certain point, just before transfer, get a message on Migration Assist on Win10 PC "A Bluetooth Low Energy adapter is required in order to continue. Connect a compatible adapter to your PC & try again. I order one from Amazon, but after receipt the small print told me that any Mac was an incompatible Host. So, called Apple Support, never really got the device info needed. Can I get an adapter from Apple or at least know which will for sure work if I order another on Amazon?!!! I have 2 PCs to transfer to 2 iMacs. Please help if you can or give me alternative methods to transfer data files. Thanks in advance

iMac 24″, macOS 15.5

Posted on May 29, 2025 10:00 AM

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Answer 1

steve626

Level 6

13,857 points

Jun 3, 2025 12:30 PM in response to Abracadabra74

It is asking for a Bluetooth Low Energy adaptor for the PC (not the Mac).

Transfer from PC to Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support

Set up your Mac and PC

On your Mac, install the latest macOS updates.
On your PC, install the latest Windows updates.
On both computers, if you installed antivirus software, firewall software, or VPN software, turn off that software until you've finished transferring your information.
On both computers, make sure that Wi-Fi is turned on. If your Mac is using macOS Sonoma or later, that should be enough to allow Migration Assistant to transfer information wirelessly. If not, connect your computers to the same network, or connect them directly to each other using an Ethernet cable.

If your older PC doesn't support Bluetooth Low Energy, Migration Assistant might say that a Bluetooth Low Energy adapter is required to continue. Bluetooth adapters that connect to your PC's USB port are widely available.

Not sure why Bluetooth is even needed here, perhaps it is used to make an initial connections between the PC and Mac, while the cable is used for the transfer itself. But that adaptor is needed for the PC not for the Mac, as Apple explains above.

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Answer 2

steve626

Level 6

13,857 points

Jun 3, 2025 1:55 PM in response to Abacadabra74

Abacadabra74 wrote:

After plugging the dongle into Win 10 PC, tried to migrate, got same message over & over. Then, looked at fine print on pluggable. Only good on Win PC. Host cannot be Apple device! Hoping external drive will work

Apple's documentation clearly says that the low energy Bluetooth adaptor may be needed for older PCs (not for the Mac) that don't offer that functionality.

I do not believe you can migrate from a PC to a Mac with an external drive; Apple does not seem to offer that option in its guidance.

Note also the instruction "if you installed antivirus software, firewall software, or VPN software, turn off that software until you've finished transferring your information."

I would return to Apple's guidance in the link I provided and follow the steps there exactly, in the order specified.

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Answer 3

den.thed

Level 10

91,342 points

May 29, 2025 11:25 AM in response to Abracadabra74

You Migrate over your local Wi-Fi network, not Bluetooth.

Follow the instructions at > Transfer from PC to Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support

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Answer 4

Jun 3, 2025 11:23 AM in response to den.thed

I tried that but right before Migration starts there is a popup on my PC Win 10 that states: Migration Asst

A BT LE adapter is required in order to continue. Connect a compatible adapter to our PC & try again. This happened at least 3 times. So I ordered a Pluggable BT LE from Amaz...when I rec'd the HOST cannot be Apple.

So now I've ordered an external drive from Apple. Hope it works because nothing else is. I have two of these iMac 2 thunderbolt and iMac 4 thunderbolt. Also, just rec'd thunderbolt converters for both. Can't understand why I can't use Migration Asst. Sounds easy...if it works and I've heard from others...not reliable.

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Answer 5

Jun 3, 2025 12:39 PM in response to steve626

After plugging the dongle into Win 10 PC, tried to migrate, got same message over & over. Then, looked at fine print on pluggable. Only good on Win PC. Host cannot be Apple device! Hoping external drive will work

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