Using Thunderbolt to migrate to a new Mac

Question

John Zwiebel Author

Level 1

96 points

Using Thunderbolt to migrate to a new Mac

When I booted my new 2015 Retina Mac, Migration Assistant comes up and explains how to get my data off of the old mac.

When the migration started, the numbers were ridiculous since it was using WiFi.

MA said "use an ethernet cable or thunderbolt".

I purchased a $49 thunderbolt cable and hooked it up.

Apparently when MA starts up, even though I've turned off WiFi on both the source and destination computers, MA turns it back on and the transfer appears to be happening via WiFi

This document for the new 2015 MacBook does not mention Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt.

Move your content to your new MacBook - Apple Support

Now, I don't want to sound stupid, but really? You cannot use T-bolt to T-bolt? Seriously?

Posted on Jun 12, 2015 5:33 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

Jun 12, 2015 7:55 AM in response to John Zwiebel

This document for the new 2015 MacBook does not mention Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt.

That's because it doesn't have a Thunderbolt port. There is no adapter for USB-C to Thunderbolt.

I purchased a $49 thunderbolt cable and hooked it up.

Don't know how you were able to hook it up, given that the 2015 Macbook 12" doesn't have a Thunderbolt port. Are you misidentifying the cable that you bought?

The 2 fastest ways to migrate to a 2015 Macbook:

1. via USB from your backup (either a clone or Time Machine) on an external drive, of your old mac (would probably need 1 USB-C to USB-A adapter).

2. via Ethernet (requires 2 Ethernet USB adapters and 1 USB-C to USB-A adapter).

I used method #1, and it took about an hour.

Reply

Answer 2

John Zwiebel Author

Level 1

96 points

Jun 12, 2015 12:59 PM in response to Lanny

I have a new MacBook Pro with Retina Screen.

My older MacBook Pro has a T-bolt port on it.

The T-bolt to T-bolt connection is not working.

Currently, looking at the Airport Extreme Tower, my old mac show it is running 802.11 a/n @ 450MBS

The New MacBook is running 802.11 b/g/n @ 230 MBS

The New MacBook was turned on and it runs Setup which includes Migration Assistant.

I've followed the screens shown in all of the MA articles I've seen. The New and Old Mac are communicating. They have the same confirmation number.

The progress bar is @ 99% but the time remaining counter is now @ 80 hours.

I had tried booting the old mac in Target Mode. The screen shows both a firewire and a thunderbolt icon. However, in the New Mac, the disk does not show up.

Last night MA showed "less than a minute" to completion.

Every time the display screen darkens and after some time, when a key on either computer is pressed, the "time remaining" counter will have increased.

Reply

Answer 3

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

Jun 12, 2015 1:25 PM in response to John Zwiebel

OK. So, you misidentified your Mac as a MacBook in lieu of a MacBook Pro by posting your question in the wrong forum area. This forum area is for the new 12" Retina Macbook 2015.

I'll request that your question be relocated to the proper forum area.

Other wise see: http://youtu.be/etMf9w6Ko8M

Reply

Answer 4

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

Jun 12, 2015 1:54 PM in response to John Zwiebel

Did the video help, yes or no?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etMf9w6Ko8M&feature=youtu.be

Reply

Answer 5

John Zwiebel Author

Level 1

96 points

Jun 12, 2015 6:37 PM in response to Lanny

Unfortunately no.

I have tried Target Mode although I started it by holding down the T key on reboot.

The new MacBook Pro does not see the Old MacBook Pro

I have to find some better info on the Thunderbolt connections. Looking at the network option in sysprefs, both computers show it to be "inactive". It isn't clear yet if it is a cable problem (new cable purchased yesterday) or a configuration problem (which skimming through sys prefs doesn't seem to be the problem.)

Thanks

Reply

Answer 6

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

Jun 12, 2015 6:58 PM in response to John Zwiebel

What is also unclear is the Apple sites description never mentions Setup Assistant or Migration Assistant. They just talk about dragging and dropping files from Target Disk one to the other.

See: https://support.apple.com/kb/PH13842?locale=en_US

One wonders if it would work differently with two Thunderbolt to Firewire adapters and a Firewire cable.

The methods I described when I thought you had a MacBook, could still be used with a MacBook Pro.

If you don't already have a backup on an external drive, you should add one. The backup on the external would definitely be usable by Migration Assistant.

For the price of all of the possible duplicated adapter combinations, i.e., 2 Ethernet to USB adapters or 2 Thunderbolt to Firewire adapters and a Firewire cable, the price of a USB 3 external drive looks like a bargain.

Reply