MacBook System Settings Menu Bar not loading post-migration

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Level 1

4 points

MacBook System Settings Menu Bar not loading post-migration

Hi,

since migrating my account from an older macbook (tahoe) i cannot access the system settings -> menu bar menu. it just doesn't load and stays at the previously selected menu:

The order in which i did things was

update new notebook to latest tahoe - finished and went through the upgrade greetings
started migration from old macbook to new macbook
after completion and reboots i saw that the new macbook first acted like i just upgraded to tahoe again

In addition I also had the behaviour that some apps just wouldn't open and were shown as not doing anything in activities. So far I could solve this by reinstalling the apps ...

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 26.1

Posted on Nov 17, 2025 1:29 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Owl-53

Level 10

102,955 points

Nov 17, 2025 2:30 AM in response to katrin25

Part 1 of 2

Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.

Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading. It will only load the Minimum amount of Core Apple Processes to allow the the computer to function at a reduced Level of Performance

Does the issue present in this mode ?

If not - there could be something in the main User Account playing up. To further isolate this - Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac. Then log out of the Main User account and log into the dummy account and test again if the issue persists.

If the issue is present in the dummy account - then, this appears to be a System Wide issue on the computer.

Part 2 of 2

To Drill Down further and to avoid a session of Q&A, Q&A and Q&A

Download the Application Etrecheck ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.

The Application is Not a " Silver Bullet " and is only a tool to examine the Hardware / Software used on this computer

This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer Hardware / Software used on this computer

The application is free or paid from added features.

The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information.

Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<

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Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

102,955 points

Nov 17, 2025 2:05 AM in response to katrin25

One Size does Not fit All

The new computer is an Apple Silicon Computer - would suggest Only Migrating the User Account and nothing more.

Some have had success and usually they are well seasoned veterans who are well versed in trouble shooting

Others have been left with a mess when Migrating everything.

Issues that may have existed on the older computer will be migrated to the New Computer. This would badly pollute the new Original and Pristine installation of the new OS.

IMHO - it would be best to only install new application etc Directly from the Developer or the Apple Apps Store.

Due Diligence on New Applications and make sure they are Tahoe compatible and factor in the ARMs CPU of the Apple Silicon Computer

https://eclecticlight.co/2024/11/15/should-you-migrate-to-your-new-mac-and-when/

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Answer 3

katrin25 Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 17, 2025 2:25 AM in response to Owl-53

Unfortunately doing the migration again is not an option.

Its not that nothing is working - on the contrary, everything seems to be working fine so far (apart from some applications I simply had to reinstall). Sidenote: The old macbook was already on tahoe and was also Apple Silicon (M1 to M4 Pro).

The main issue thats bugging me at the moment is actually the menu bar settings item not showing and I didnt find anything yet related to fixing it. The other info is just for context :)

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