01Decebal02

Q: I want to migrate content (Applications and Data) from a old iMac to a new iMac and keep Application son internal disk and data on the external one.

iMac 27 " Retina 5K

El Capitan 10.11.6

I want to migrate content from an old i Mac (2011) to a new one (late 2015) but installing Operating System and Application on the internal disk and Data on an external disk.

 

I've tried multiple times using Thunderlbolt connection and Migration Assistant and it did not work.

 

Thank you.

Posted on Aug 17, 2016 3:02 PM

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Q: I want to migrate content (Applications and Data) from a old iMac to a new iMac and keep Application son internal disk and data on ... more

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  • by AppleJen77,Helpful

    AppleJen77 AppleJen77 Aug 18, 2016 3:27 PM in response to 01Decebal02
    Community Specialists
    Aug 18, 2016 3:27 PM in response to 01Decebal02

    Hello there, 01Decebal02!

     

    Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities! It sounds like you are needing to move content from your older computer to a new one! I know how important it is to be sure the information is moved properly. Check out this article with steps to try since the Thunderbolt and Migration Assistant are not working: OS X: Manually migrating data from another Mac.

     

    Choose one of the methods below to move files from your old computer to your new computer

    Use an external drive

     

    If both of your computers have USB or FireWire connections, you can copy your important files to an external drive to move the files between them.

    1. Connect the external drive to your old Mac.
    2. In the Finder, locate the external drive. If you don't see it, choose Go > Computer to see a list of all of the drives connected to this Mac.
    3. In the Finder, drag any of the files you want to move to your new computer onto the external drive to make a copy.
    4. Once you are done copying all of your files, eject the external drive and disconnect it from your old Mac.
    5. Next, connect the external drive to your new Mac.
    6. Locate the drive in the Finder.
    7. Drag your files from the external drive to your Home folder, or another location on your new Mac.

    Use File Sharing

    If both of your computers are connected to the same network, you can use File Sharing to copy items between them.

    First, connect your Macs to the same network using Wi-Fi or Ethernet. If you don't have access to a larger network, you can simply connect an Ethernet cable between your two computers. If your computer doesn't have an Ethernet connection, check to see if you have a USB to Ethernet adapter you can use, or a Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter.

    Next, enable File Sharing on one of the computers.

    1. Open System Preferences.
    2. Select Sharing.
    3. Make note of the name of this computer in the Computer Name field.
    4. Select (check) the option for File Sharing. 

    On the other Mac, connect the two computers using these steps:

    1. Click the Finder icon in the Dock to switch to the Finder.
    2. Choose Go > Connect To Server.
    3. Click the Browse button.
    4. Locate the other computer in the window that appears. Double-click the computer's icon.
    5. If prompted, enter the user name and password for the user's files you are trying to copy.

    You can now copy files between the two computers for this user. Repeat the steps above for any other users you have on your computer.

     

    Cheers!

  • by 01Decebal02,

    01Decebal02 01Decebal02 Aug 18, 2016 3:38 PM in response to 01Decebal02
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 18, 2016 3:38 PM in response to 01Decebal02

    Thank you so much. After I migrate contenție (everything, apps., documente, iTunes etc), what can be moved from internal disk to external; i want to have as much free space as posible on internal disk (SSD 500 GB) and move music, photos, Word Documents etc) on the exteranl disk -- SSD. 1 TB. Thanks again.