The fastest way to transfer everything is Migration Assistant, which copies your entire user account, apps, and files in one process
Migration Assistant is built into macOS and handles the heavy lifting for you. It transfers your user account, applications, documents, photos, email, browser bookmarks, and system settings all at once. You run it on the new Mac, point it to the old Mac (or a backup), and it does the rest. Most transfers take a few hours depending on how much data you have.
You have three ways to transfer: directly from Mac to Mac over a network, from a Time Machine backup, or from an external drive. The direct Mac-to-Mac method is usually fastest if both computers are on the same WiFi network and you have time to leave them connected. If your old Mac is no longer working or you don't have it nearby, restoring from a Time Machine backup is your next best option.
Key Takeaways
- Migration Assistant copies your entire account, apps, and files in one process and is the method Apple recommends for switching Macs.
- You can transfer directly from Mac to Mac, from a Time Machine backup, or from an external drive — choose based on which hardware you have available.
- Direct Mac-to-Mac transfer requires both computers on the same network and can take several hours depending on data size.
- If you only need specific files or folders, you can copy them manually using an external drive or cloud storage instead of transferring everything.
- After any transfer method, verify that your important files and applications are working on the new Mac before erasing the old one.
How to transfer directly from one Mac to another
Start with your new Mac still in setup. When you see the "Migration Assistant" screen during initial setup, click "Continue" and choose "From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk." If you've already finished setup, open Migration Assistant from Applications > Utilities on the new Mac instead.
On the old Mac, go to System Settings > General > Sharing and turn on "Remote Login." Note the username and IP address shown — you'll need these. Then return to Migration Assistant on the new Mac and select "From another Mac." The new Mac will search for your old Mac on the network. When it appears, select it and enter the username and password you just noted.
Migration Assistant will show you what it found on the old Mac: your user account, applications, and other data. You can uncheck items you don't want to transfer — for example, you might skip an old user account or applications you no longer use. Once you've made your selections, click "Continue" and let it run. Don't put either Mac to sleep or disconnect the network during the transfer.
Transferring from a Time Machine backup
If your old Mac is broken, sold, or unavailable, you can restore from a Time Machine backup instead. Connect the external drive that holds your Time Machine backup to the new Mac. Open Migration Assistant on the new Mac and select "From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk."
Click "Continue," then select "Time Machine backup" and choose the backup drive from the list. Migration Assistant will show you the contents of that backup. Select what you want to transfer — usually your user account and applications — and click "Continue." The process works the same way as a direct transfer, but it reads from the backup file instead of from another computer.
Using an external drive to move files manually
If you only need certain files or folders and don't want to transfer your entire account, you can copy them manually to an external drive. Connect an external USB or Thunderbolt drive to your old Mac, then drag the folders you need into it. This works well if you're moving only your Documents, Photos, or Downloads folder.
Once the files are copied, disconnect the drive, connect it to the new Mac, and drag the files to the location where you want them. This method is slower than Migration Assistant if you have a lot of data, but it gives you complete control over what moves and where it goes. It's also useful if you're combining files from multiple old Macs into one new one.
What to do about applications after transfer
Migration Assistant copies your applications to the new Mac, but some may not work correctly if they were licensed to your old Mac or if they need to be reinstalled. After the transfer completes, open Applications and try launching a few programs you use regularly. If an app won't open or asks for a license key, you may need to reinstall it.
For subscription apps like Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, or antivirus software, sign in with your account after the transfer. The app will usually recognize your license and activate automatically. For older or less common applications, check the developer's website to see if they have instructions for transferring licenses to a new computer.
Verifying the transfer before erasing your old Mac
Before you erase or sell your old Mac, spend a day or two using the new one and checking that everything works. Open your email and make sure your messages and accounts are there. Check that your photos, documents, and other files are in the right places. Launch a few applications and confirm they open without errors.
If something is missing or broken, you can always copy it from the old Mac again. Once you're confident everything transferred correctly, you can erase the old Mac. On the old Mac, go to System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset, click "Erase All Content and Settings," and follow the prompts. This securely wipes the drive so your personal data can't be recovered.
When to use cloud storage or external drives instead
If you're moving only a few files or you want to keep them synced across multiple computers, cloud storage like iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox may be simpler than Migration Assistant. You upload files to the cloud on the old Mac, then download them on the new one. This also works well if you're setting up a new Mac and want to start fresh without copying over old applications or settings.
An external drive is useful if you want a backup copy of everything before you start using the new Mac, or if you're transferring files between Macs that aren't on the same network. Copy your files to the drive, then connect it to the new Mac and copy them back. This method is slower than direct transfer but gives you a safety copy in case something goes wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Migration Assistant take?
Transfer time depends on how much data you have. A typical transfer of 100 GB to 200 GB takes two to four hours over a local network. Larger transfers can take longer. Time Machine backups and external drive transfers may be slower because they read from storage rather than directly from another computer.
Can I use Migration Assistant if my old Mac is running an older version of macOS?
Yes. Migration Assistant works across different macOS versions, but your new Mac's version should be the same or newer than the old one. If your old Mac is running a much older version, check Apple's support page for your specific macOS versions to confirm compatibility.
What if Migration Assistant gets stuck or stops partway through?
Restart both Macs and try again. Make sure both are plugged in, on the same WiFi network, and not going to sleep. If it keeps failing, try transferring from a Time Machine backup instead, or copy files manually to an external drive and move them that way.
Do I need to erase the new Mac before transferring data to it?
No. Migration Assistant can transfer to a new Mac during setup or to one that already has data on it. If the new Mac already has files, Migration Assistant will add your transferred data alongside them. You can organize or delete duplicates afterward.
Can I transfer just my user account without applications?
Yes. When Migration Assistant shows you what to transfer, uncheck "Applications" and leave only your user account selected. This copies your files, settings, and email but leaves the new Mac's applications in place. You can then install the applications you need from the App Store or the developers' websites.