Getting a new Mac is a moment of joy. Then you realize you have to move all your stuff to a new computer. Whether you’re on an old Mac or PC, Apple has you covered with Migration Assistant.
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system requirements
You also need a Mac first to copy data. Ideally you’re setting this up as a new Mac. You do not need to do so. If you’ve already set up your Mac, you can still use Migration Assistant. Unless there is an existing user with the same name, Migration Assistant will just set up another user with all the new data. If there is already a user with that name, it will ask you to change the name of the user you are moving.
If not, you need one of the following:
For Windows PC
PC needs to run Windows XP Service Pack 3 or higher. You will install the Windows Migration Assistant program. The PC also needs to be able to connect to the network. If it has malware, that could be a problem.
For Macs running MacOS
Macs need to be running MacOS 10.6.8 Snow Leopard or later. Sorry Leopard and Tiger users, you will have to manually copy the data. The nice thing about Mac migration is that the Mac doesn’t need to be active. If the hard drive in your Mac dies, you can perform a migration away from a Time Machine backup. That’s the best way to do it. It even works with the Time Capsule over the network.
You can also copy data directly from a Mac hard drive by connecting it via Firewire or Thunderbolt in target disk mode. Although not preferred, you can copy data over the network, assuming your old Mac boots up.
What does it copy?
From a Mac
If you’re copying data from another Mac, it will pass everything over there by default. This migration includes your data, preferences, and even your programs. It copies every last detail down to your icon and wallpaper locations. It was a bit confusing seeing everything on that new Mac. You wonder if you have a new computer! That includes copying junk and debris that can fill up your old hard drive.
From the computer
With PC, Migration Assistant can’t copy everything. That makes sense since not all PC files work on Mac. For example, it can’t copy programs because they don’t work on a Mac. Migration Assistant will copy most items from the user’s home folder such as photos, documents, and music by default. Mail, contacts, and calendar will copy to their Mac equivalents if you’re using Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Mail, or Live Mail.
If you’re using Thunderbird or another Windows email program, you’re out of luck. Assistant will copy bookmarks from Internet Explorer or Firefox from PC (and Safari, of course). Google Chrome users won’t be able to copy bookmarks with the Migration Assistant.
That’s not a big deal as they will sync with the Mac version of Chrome when you run it on your Mac.
To properly clone iTunes, update your PC to the latest version available for your operating system. That helps make sure the libraries and settings are in the right places.
When possible, Migration Assistant will copy the default home page and other system settings such as wallpaper. In my experience, this rarely works. Windows has too many third-party apps that get in the way of Migration Assistant. There’s no harm in trying to let those copies go. If all else fails, just manually set these options.
Problems with Migration Assistant
When the Assistant successfully migrates, it’s a work of art. The transition is seamless. It works best with newer model Macs running the latest operating system available and copying using Target Disk Mode.
The most common glitch I’ve seen is that the assistant stops working due to network or hard drive issues. It will try to recover from it, but then it just hangs. It doesn’t say, “Sorry, I can’t continue.” It just leaves you waiting there forever. Then your migration is half done.
If that happens, you have to delete the moved user and start over. Ugh. Over the net, the average migration takes about 8-24 hours. Doing the Mac to Mac migration in Destination Disk Mode takes an average of 4-8 hours.
Newer MacBooks with SSDs may be smaller than the Mac you’re copying from. You won’t have enough space to copy all your data. You will have to decide which items are important to copy. Music and photos often take up the most space on your Mac. If you click the disclosure triangle in the Migration Assistant next to the username, you can deselect what you don’t want to copy.
You can temporarily leave those pictures and music on your old Mac. Let Migration Assistant run between Macs. It will copy the main settings and apps to the new Mac. You can then trim your photos and music down to a manageable size and copy the data manually.
If you don’t have enough room for those files, you may need to keep them on an external hard drive.
Need help copying photos and music? We detail your options for photos in this article and iTunes in this article.
If you’re using a Mac-Mac, most programs will work on newer Macs. The exception is older PowerPC programs that work in Snow Leopard but won’t work in the current operating system. You will need to research this and find a newer compatible version or replace the program. Some programs like Microsoft Office or older Adobe products will require your serial number in order for them to run on the new computer.
Attention Quicken users: Intuit made Quicken 2007 for Lion to work with newer Macs. It is designed to upgrade your data file so that it can be used in a newer version of Quicken. You won’t be able to import Quicken 2006 data without it.
Migration Assistant Best Practices
Regardless of the method you use, you will need to be patient. Migration Assistant guesses how long the migration will take. The first guess it gives you is usually the best. When copying data, the estimated time fluctuates. It can appear aggressive, but it’s usually just hard work. I move the cursor to the end of the progress bar while copying. If it’s been more than four hours with no movement, I’m assuming it’s hung and aborting the process.
Migrate from a Mac
Whenever possible, use Time Machine backups. That allows you to continue using your old Mac while Migration Assistant works its magic. Note: it cannot copy any data you create after the migration has started. This is purely for surfing the web while the new Mac is copying data.
When you migrate from a Time Machine backup, your Mac will offer to “inherit” the old backup. You won’t need to set up a new Time Machine and potentially overwrite the data. I also like the fact that it’s a built-in test for your backup system. If it doesn’t work, then you know your backup has a problem. If you don’t have a Time Machine backup, set up one if possible.
Hard drives are inexpensive compared to the cost of your data loss. I suggest backing up Time Machine manually, shutting down your old Mac, then connecting Time Machine to the new Mac. Then just surf the web on that old Mac or leave it alone.
Just remember everything you did after the Time Machine backup won’t be transferred to the new Mac.
If your Mac won’t boot and you don’t have a Time Machine backup, the next best solution is Target Disk Mode. I’ve seen Macs with all sorts of problems starting up being able to use Migration Assistant in this mode. If your Mac won’t turn on, you can use an external SATA to USB adapter to copy the data. Migration Assistant will read hard drives of any kind.
If performing a network migration, you need to open Migration Assistant on both computers. Your Mac will ask you to verify the code on both computers matches. That’s like pairing Bluetooth devices.
Repair your Mac’s hard drive before you begin: If the hard drive is having trouble reading, Migration Assistant will hang. Run Disk Utility on your Mac’s old hard drive if you’re copying directly from there. If you’re using a Time Machine backup for migration, you can skip this step.
Migrate from PC
Migration Assistant for PC takes forever on the network. I’ve seen it take days and still haven’t finished! Many home networks are slow and can use wi-fi. If you use Migration Assistant, try to make sure both computers are on a wired network. That gives you the best chance for success.
To copy most files, you’re better off using an external hard drive or flash drive. You can put your documents in the same folder on your Mac. For photos and music, you can ask iTunes and Photos to import from that external hard drive. The only time I really saw value in PC Migration Assistant was converting email data from PC to Mac.
If you use web based email then you really don’t need Migration Assistant. You should copy those files manually.
If you do a network migration, like a Mac, you’ll have the program open on both systems. On your PC, you’ll need to download the program. When you open the program on both computers, select the files you want to copy to the new Mac.
The value of manual migration
When you do the migration, you are replicating the potential problems to the new computer. All your old preferences and unused programs are copied. Sometimes it’s nice to have a good start. You only have the programs and settings you want. I do a manual migration of every other new computer I buy. I copy music, pictures, and documents to an external hard drive. Then I put them in the correct folder on the new Mac. I then reinstalled the programs with the latest version. If I don’t have the program installer, only then would I copy the program over to the new Mac.
Then I put them in the correct folder on the new Mac. I then reinstalled the programs with the latest version. If I don’t have the program installer, only then would I copy the program over to the new Mac.
To duplicate preferences: You can either search for them yourself, or check out our App Cleaner manual to do it.
Migration Assistant saves you time setting up a new Mac. Next time you’re setting up a new Mac, give it a try! After all, it’s one of the first questions your new Mac asks you during the initial setup process.
Categories: How to
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