Just bought new iMac and need to transfer everything over, I'm very nervous as its the 1st time. Should I use the migration tool or Time Machine and should I transfer everything or is that a waste of space?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Just bought new iMac and need to transfer everything over, I'm very nervous as its the 1st time. Should I use the migration tool or Time Machine and should I transfer everything or is that a waste of space?

I don't know how to transfer everything from my old iMac to my new one. I'm slightly worried about making a massive mistake and losing things and equally I don't want to transfer pointless things that just take up space. Should I just transfer everything? And do I use the migration tool or Time Machine?

Please help and please describe what to do as if you were talking to your granny as I'm a bit useless!!

Thanks.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Mar 30, 2017 6:42 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

macjack

Level 10

111,168 points

Mar 30, 2017 7:11 AM in response to badjoolz

Use the Migration Assistant and follow the instructions in the link anonyme provided. Migrate everything, it will not replace newer applications with older ones. If there's anything you don't want you can just delete it after migration. The instructions are written so a granny can follow them.

Reply

Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,532 points

Mar 30, 2017 7:29 AM in response to badjoolz

As you have been advised, use Migration Assistant. The most reliable method is to connect the old Mac's Time Machine backup EHD to the new computer. When you launch Migration Assistant it will ask if you want to use a TM Backup, select yes and follow the on-screen prompts. Connect the TM drive via USB cable to the new machine. It's very easy and extremely reliable.

Reply