6 Tested Ways to Transfer Data from Mac to Mac (Old to New)

Did you recently get a new Mac? Are you worried about how to transfer data from old Mac to new Mac? There could be various reasons why you might need to transfer data between Macs.

For example, if your old Mac is irreparable and prone to shutting down at any moment, it's better to transfer your data to the new one as soon as possible. A malware attack that prevents your old Mac from working correctly could be another reason. You may also want to sell your old Mac or lend it to a friend, in which case you'll need to shift your data seamlessly from the damaged Mac to the new one.

There are several ways to transfer data from one Mac to another. In this guide, we'll discuss six tried-and-true methods to help you out!

Please provide the text you want to translate, and I will translate it into English for you as soon as possible.

Solution 1: Transfer Data from Mac to Mac using Migration Assistant Fix 1: Move Data between Macs with Migration Assistant

Migration Assistant is one of the most popular ways to transfer data from one Mac to another. However, before you do that, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. These include:

Make sure both devices have the latest software installed. Turn off any antivirus software, virtual private networks (VPNs), or firewalls. Enable Wi-Fi on both devices and place them near each other.

This video can help you use Migration Assistant to move your content to your new Mac: Transfer your content to your new Mac with Migration Assistant.

• 00:28 - Prepare your system before using Migration Assistant.
• 01:31 - Set up Migration Assistant.
• 03:41 - Wait for the transfer to complete, and then log in to your new system.

This code is an HTML embed for a YouTube video that displays a tutorial on how to use the Migration Assistant to transfer data from an old Mac to a new one. When inserted into a webpage, users can watch this instructional video.

You'll need to follow the steps for the new Mac:

Step 1. Open Migration Assistant from the Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant path.

Step 2: The Transfer Assistant will ask for permission to make changes and quit other apps. Tap “Continue” to proceed.

Step 3: Type your administrator password, and then click OK.

Step 4: A window will appear asking, "How do you want to transfer your information?"

Step 5: Choose the "Restore from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or disk image" option, then click "Continue."

You'll need to do both of the following on the old Mac:

Step 6: Open “Migration Assistant,” and a window will appear.

Step 7: Choose “Transfer to Another Mac.” Click “Continue.”

Step 8: On the new Mac, choose "Another Mac," then click "Continue."

Select the Mac you want to transfer from

Step 9. An older Mac will show a six-digit code. Make sure the codes match on both devices, then tap Continue.

Step 10: On the new Mac: A window appears, from which you choose the information to transfer.

Step 11: Check the items you want, and click “Continue.”

Choose what to transfer to your new Mac.

Step 12: Quit Migration Assistant. Now, go to your new Mac and log in to your account to verify that all your data has transferred over.

If Migration Assistant on your Mac isn't working as expected, don't worry; this article can help.

Please provide the text you would like translated into English, and I will do my best to translate it for you.

8 Ways to Fix Migration Assistant Not Working on Mac

This article discusses 8 effective methods to resolve the issue of Migration Assistant not working on Mac. Read More >>

Fix 2: Use AirDrop to transfer data from one Mac to another

Another effective way to transfer data from an old Mac to a new one is with AirDrop. With AirDrop, you can transfer some files. However, this requires that both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi be turned on.

Please refer to the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Turn on Bluetooth on both Macs.

Step 2: Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 3. Open "System Settings" or "System Preferences."

Step 4: Click on “General” from the left side.

Step 5: In the panel on the right, choose AirDrop & Handoff.

Step 6. Turn on “Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.” You can now share files between the two Macs.

Step 7. On the older Mac, choose the files you want to transfer.

Step 8: Control-click the file.

Step 9. Choose “Share.” It's best to select the Mac you want to send the file to here.

Please share this article on social media to help others learn how to transfer data from Mac to Mac using six reliable methods.

Fix 3: Transfer Files from Mac to Mac Using File Sharing

You can also transfer files from one system to another using file sharing. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Click the Apple menu.

Step 2. Select "System Settings."

Step 3: Click on “General” in the sidebar, and then choose “Sharing.”

Step 4: Turn on File Sharing. Click the Info button.

Click the Info button.

5. At the bottom of the Shared Folders list, click the Add button and choose the folder you want to share.

6. Right-click the folder name.

Step 7: Select “Advanced options.”

Step 8: Follow the on-screen instructions, and then click Finish.

Solution 4: Transfer Data from Mac to Mac via USB Cable

Did you know that you can transfer data from one Mac to another using a USB cable? Yes, it's true, and it's very easy. You'll need to buy an external hard drive or USB flash drive to store the data. Then, connect the USB cable between the old Mac and the drive.

Copy and paste any files you want to transfer to the new Mac. When done, safely eject the drive. Now, repeat this process on the new Mac by copying and pasting the files from the drive to the Mac.

Please provide the English content you would like translated, and I'll promptly translate it into Chinese for you.

USB Flash Drive Not Showing Up on Mac: Reasons and Solutions

Does your USB flash drive not show up on Mac after plugging it into the USB port? We've got 10 solutions for you here. Read More >>

Solution 5: Transfer Data from Mac with iCloud

Another great way to transfer data from one Mac to another is by using iCloud. To do this, you'll need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Click the Apple icon and select “System Preferences.”

Step 2. Choose “Apple ID,” then choose “iCloud.” Enter your credentials if prompted.

3. Check the “iCloud Drive” option. iCloud is now turned on.

Step 4: Click on your desktop. In the Finder menu, click “Go” and then select “iCloud” from the drop-down menu. Your files should be located here.

Note that these files will only sync to iCloud if the old system used the same Apple ID.

Fix 6: Transfer Data from Mac to Another Using Time Machine Backup

If you want to move all your data from an old Mac to a new one, a Time Machine backup of the old Mac is a better bet. That way, you can transfer apps, preferences, user accounts, and so on.

First, you'll need to back up your data from the old Mac using Time Machine. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Connect the hard drive you want to use to your system.

Step 2: Click the Apple logo.

Step 3: Click “System Preferences.”

<Step 4> Select the Time Machine application.

Step 5: Click "Select Disk." Here, you'll choose the disk to use for Time Machine backups.

Step 6: A window will pop up. Check the boxes next to "Backup automatically" and "Show Time Machine in menu bar."

If your Time Machine backup is having issues or isn't completing, this article can help you resolve problems with Time Machine backups.

Please provide the English content you would like translated, and I will do my best to translate it into Chinese.

FIXED in 2023: Time Machine can't complete first backup

This article shows how to fix the issue of Time Machine waiting to complete its first backup. Read More >>

Then, you need to restore from Time Machine on the new Mac as follows:

Step 1: Connect the external drive with your Time Machine backup to your new Mac.

Step 2. Start your Mac in Recovery Mode, and choose "Restore from Time Machine backup."

Step 3: Click “Continue,” then choose the backup disk. Click “Continue” again.

Step 4: Choose the most recent backup.

Step 5: Follow the on-screen instructions, and then restart your system.

Additional Tip: How to Recover Data from a Mac

How do I recover data from a broken Mac screen? If your Mac's screen is broken and you're worried about not being able to transfer your data to a new system, don't panic! You can use professional software to seamlessly recover data from the faulty system. Try using the tools Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, an efficient and user-friendly recovery tool that will help you retrieve your data with ease.

Aside from its powerful recovery capabilities, the tool is also very user-friendly. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to use even for beginners. It also supports data retrieval in various data loss scenarios, such as recovering files from an unbootable Mac, virus attacks, macOS updates, system crashes, and human errors. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Select the drive to scan

In the main window of the tool Data Recovery Wizard, you will see the list of drives connected to your Mac. Select the drive from which you need to recover lost/deleted files and click on the “Search for lost files” button.

Note: It is recommended to click “Disk Backup” from the left sidebar and create a backup for your Mac before data recovery, in case of further data loss. After the backup, the software can restore data from the Mac backup, and your computer can write new data again.

Select a location and scan for lost Mac data

Step 2: Select the data/files you lost

Upon launching Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, the tool will immediately scan the disk volume you've chosen and display the scan results in the left pane. If you're looking for specific files, you can sort the results to locate the needed files.

Select the data/files you lost

Step 3: Recover Lost/Deleted Data

Once you find the files you want, preview them and then click “Recover” to start restoring your deleted or lost Mac files.

Conclusions

Do you want to transfer data from your old Mac to your new one? There are many reasons why you might make this decision. Luckily, there are several ways to transfer your data, such as using a USB cable, the Migration Assistant, or a Time Machine backup.

If you're planning to transfer data from a failed Mac to another, consider using tools like Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. It's a powerful yet user-friendly recovery tool that enables you to easily retrieve various types of data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Transferring Data from Mac to Mac

Would you like to learn more about how to transfer data from one Mac to another? If so, please refer to the questions and answers listed below:

**1. How do I transfer data from my old Mac to my new Mac?** There are several ways to transfer data from your old Mac to your new one: 1. **Using Migration Assistant:** - On your new Mac, open "Migration Assistant" (found in "Applications" > "Utilities"). - Follow the on-screen instructions and select "From another Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk clone." - Connect both Macs using Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Firewire. - Enter your old Mac's username and password as prompted, then initiate the transfer process. 2. **Using a Time Machine Backup:** - Ensure your old Mac is connected to its Time Machine backup drive. - On the new Mac, restore a backup through "System Preferences" > "Time Machine." - Select the latest backup from your old Mac and begin the restoration process. 3. **Manually transferring files:** - Use Target Disk Mode: Boot your old Mac into Target Disk Mode (press the 'T' key), then connect it to your new Mac with a Thunderbolt or USB cable. On the new Mac, open "Finder" and drag files directly to the old Mac's disk. - Use cloud services or an external hard drive: Upload your files to a cloud storage service (like iCloud Drive, Dropbox, etc.), or copy them to an external hard drive, and then download or copy them to your new Mac. Please note that the transfer process may take time depending on the amount of data and the chosen method.

There are several ways to transfer data from an old Mac to a new one. You can use a USB cable first. You can also opt for the Migration Assistant or transfer with a Time Machine backup. Additionally, file sharing or iCloud can be utilized.

2. Will Migration Assistant erase my old Mac?

No, Migration Assistant won't erase your old Mac. Its purpose is to copy files and efficiently transfer data from one system to another. There's no need to worry about overwriting files.

How long does it take to transfer from one Mac to another using Migration Assistant?

There's no set duration for data transfer from one Mac to another using Migration Assistant. It depends on the amount of data being transferred. The time can range from a few minutes to several hours.

**How can I transfer files from one Mac to another without using iCloud?**

There are several ways to transfer files from one Mac to another without using iCloud, such as File Sharing or by using a Time Machine backup.