The fastest way to transfer everything is Migration Assistant, Apple's built-in tool

Migration Assistant is the method Apple built specifically for this task. It copies your files, applications, user accounts, settings, and preferences from your old Mac to your new one in a single process. You run it on the new Mac, point it to the old Mac (or a backup), and it handles the rest. Most transfers take a few hours depending on how much data you have and the speed of your connection.

You have three ways to run Migration Assistant: directly between two Macs connected by cable or network, from a Time Machine backup, or from an external drive backup. The direct Mac-to-Mac transfer is usually fastest if both machines are in the same room. If your old Mac no longer works, you can transfer from a backup instead.

Migration Assistant preserves the structure of your old Mac almost exactly — your Desktop, Documents folder, Applications folder, and user account all transfer as they were. This means you don't have to reinstall software or reconfigure settings manually. However, some older applications may not work on a new Mac if the new one runs a much newer version of macOS.

Key Takeaways

  • Migration Assistant copies everything — files, apps, accounts, and settings — in one automated process, and is the standard method Apple recommends.
  • You can transfer directly between two Macs, from a Time Machine backup, or from an external drive backup if your old Mac is no longer available.
  • The transfer happens on the new Mac; your old Mac does not need to be erased or changed in any way.
  • Some applications may not work after transfer if they were built for an older version of macOS than your new Mac runs.
  • If you only want specific files rather than everything, you can use Finder or iCloud to copy them manually instead.

How to transfer directly between two Macs

Start Migration Assistant on your new Mac. You'll find it in Applications > Utilities, or search for it using Spotlight. When the tool opens, it will ask whether you want to transfer from another Mac, a Time Machine backup, or another disk. Select "From a Mac."

On your old Mac, also open Migration Assistant. The two Macs will find each other over the network if they're on the same Wi-Fi. When they connect, your old Mac will display a security code — enter this code on the new Mac to confirm the transfer. Then select which user account(s) and data you want to move. You can transfer everything or pick specific items like Applications, Documents, or Mail.

The transfer will begin and may take several hours if you have a lot of data. Keep both Macs plugged in and on the same network. Don't use either Mac during the transfer. When it finishes, your new Mac will restart and your old Mac's setup will be ready to use.

Transferring from a Time Machine backup

If your old Mac is no longer working or available, you can restore from a Time Machine backup instead. Connect the external drive that holds your Time Machine backup to your new Mac. Open Migration Assistant on the new Mac and select "From a Time Machine backup."

Migration Assistant will show you a list of available backups on the drive, usually with dates. Select the most recent backup (or the one closest to when you stopped using your old Mac). Then choose which user accounts and data to transfer, just as you would in a direct Mac-to-Mac transfer. The process works the same way — it copies everything to your new Mac and restarts when done.

Transferring from an external drive or other backup

If you have files on an external drive, USB stick, or cloud storage, you don't need Migration Assistant. Instead, use Finder to copy them directly to your new Mac. Connect the external drive to your new Mac, open Finder, and drag the folders you need into your new Mac's Documents, Desktop, or Applications folder.

For cloud storage like iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, sign into your account on the new Mac and the files will sync automatically. This method is useful if you only want certain files rather than your entire old setup, or if you're switching from a very old Mac that Migration Assistant can't connect to.

What to do if Migration Assistant won't connect

If your two Macs can't find each other over the network, check that both are on the same Wi-Fi network and that neither has a firewall blocking the connection. Restart both Macs and try again. If they still won't connect, you can transfer via an external drive instead: back up your old Mac to an external drive using Time Machine or Finder, then connect that drive to your new Mac and use Migration Assistant to restore from it.

If your old Mac is too old to run the same version of Migration Assistant as your new Mac, Apple's support pages list which Mac models work with which versions of macOS. In this case, an external drive backup is usually your best option. You can also contact Apple Support for guidance on transferring from very old Macs.

Checking what transferred and what didn't

After the transfer completes and your new Mac restarts, log in and check that your files and applications are where you expect them. Open Applications and verify that your most-used software is there. Check your Documents and Desktop folders. Open System Settings and confirm that your Wi-Fi networks, printer settings, and other preferences transferred correctly.

Some applications may not launch if they were built for an older version of macOS. If this happens, you may need to update the application or reinstall it from the App Store or the developer's website. Mail accounts, calendar settings, and browser bookmarks usually transfer correctly, but it's worth checking these too so you know right away if something needs to be set up again.

When to manually copy files instead of using Migration Assistant

Use Migration Assistant if you want to transfer your entire Mac setup — it's the fastest and most complete method. Use manual copying if you're only moving specific folders, if you want to leave behind old applications you no longer use, or if you're switching from a very old Mac that Migration Assistant can't read.

Manual copying also gives you a chance to clean up as you go. Instead of transferring everything, you can copy only the files you actually need, leaving behind old downloads, duplicates, or applications you've stopped using. This can make your new Mac feel faster and less cluttered than an exact copy of your old one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to erase my old Mac before transferring?

No. Migration Assistant does not erase or change your old Mac in any way. Your old Mac stays exactly as it was. You can erase it later if you want to sell it or recycle it, but that's a separate step you do after confirming the transfer worked.

Can I use Migration Assistant if my old Mac won't turn on?

If your old Mac won't start, you can't use a direct transfer. Instead, use a Time Machine backup or external drive backup if you have one. If you don't have a backup, you'll need to copy files manually using an external drive or cloud storage, or contact Apple Support about data recovery options.

What if I only want to transfer some applications, not all of them?

During the Migration Assistant process, you can uncheck specific applications before the transfer starts. You'll see a list of what's being transferred and can deselect anything you don't want. Alternatively, you can transfer everything and then manually delete applications you don't need after the transfer finishes.

Will my passwords and login information transfer?

Passwords stored in Keychain (Apple's password manager) will transfer with Migration Assistant. Passwords for websites and apps stored in Safari will also transfer. However, some applications may ask you to log in again the first time you open them, depending on how they store credentials.

How long does a transfer usually take?

Transfer time depends on how much data you have and your network speed. A transfer of 100 GB might take 1 to 2 hours over Wi-Fi, while 500 GB could take 5 to 10 hours. A direct connection between two Macs via cable is faster than Wi-Fi. Transferring from a backup on an external drive is usually fastest because it doesn't depend on network speed.