The fastest way to move everything is Migration Assistant, which transfers your entire user account, apps, and files in one go

Migration Assistant is built into macOS and copies your old Mac's user account, applications, documents, photos, email, and settings to your new Mac automatically. You run it on the new Mac, connect to the old Mac over your network, and let it work — usually taking an hour or more depending on how much data you have. This is the method Apple designed for exactly this situation, and it handles the messy parts (like app licenses and system preferences) that manual copying misses.

The alternative is to manually copy files and reinstall apps, which takes longer and leaves you hunting for settings you forgot to move. Most people should use Migration Assistant unless you want to start fresh or your old Mac won't turn on.

Key Takeaways

  • Migration Assistant copies your entire Mac setup — apps, files, email, and settings — in one automated process without requiring external drives.
  • Both Macs must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and your old Mac must be able to turn on and stay awake during the transfer.
  • The transfer can take one to several hours depending on how much data you have, and you should not use either Mac while it is running.
  • If your old Mac will not start, you can recover files from a Time Machine backup instead of transferring from the Mac directly.
  • After the transfer completes, sign into the App Store and iCloud on your new Mac to reactivate apps and cloud services.

What you need before you start

Your old Mac must be able to turn on and stay connected to power and Wi-Fi for the entire transfer. If the battery is low or the Wi-Fi drops, the transfer will stall or fail partway through. Plug both Macs into power before you begin, and keep them within range of your Wi-Fi router.

Both Macs should be running compatible versions of macOS — generally, you can transfer from an older Mac to a newer one without problems, but transferring from a newer Mac to an older one may not work. Check the macOS version on each Mac by clicking the Apple menu and selecting "About This Mac." If your old Mac is very old (more than 10 years), Migration Assistant may not support it, and you will need to copy files manually instead.

You will also need the password for the user account on your old Mac. If you have forgotten it, you can reset it before starting the transfer, but you cannot do it during the transfer itself.

How to transfer using Migration Assistant

Start by turning on your new Mac and going through the initial setup. When you reach the "Migration Assistant" screen (which appears during setup), select "Transfer information now." If you have already finished setup, you can open Migration Assistant later by going to Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant.

On your old Mac, open Migration Assistant the same way (Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant). Both Macs will search for each other on the network. When your old Mac appears on the new Mac's screen, select it and click "Continue." You will be asked to enter the password for the user account on the old Mac — this is a security step to confirm you own both machines.

The new Mac will then show a list of what it found on the old Mac: your user account, applications, files, and settings. You can uncheck anything you do not want to transfer — for example, if you want to leave behind old applications or a specific folder. Most people transfer everything. Click "Continue" and let the process run. Do not put either Mac to sleep, restart it, or disconnect it from power or Wi-Fi until the transfer finishes.

When the transfer is complete, your new Mac will restart. You will then be able to log in with the same username and password you used on the old Mac, and everything should be there: your files, your email, your browser bookmarks, and your applications.

What to do after the transfer is done

Sign into the App Store on your new Mac by clicking your profile picture in the top-right corner of the App Store app and selecting "Sign In." This reactivates your app licenses so you can update and reinstall apps if needed. Some apps may ask you to sign in again with your account credentials — this is normal and a security measure.

If you use iCloud, sign into iCloud by opening System Settings, clicking your name at the top, and entering your Apple ID. This reconnects your Photos, Notes, Reminders, and other cloud services to your new Mac. If you use email through iCloud, it should already be configured, but check Mail to make sure messages are syncing.

Check your browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or whatever you use) to confirm your bookmarks and passwords came over. If you use a password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden, sign in and make sure it is working. Test a few applications to confirm they are functioning — some older apps may need to be reinstalled or updated on the new Mac's version of macOS.

If your old Mac will not turn on

If your old Mac is broken or will not start, you cannot use Migration Assistant directly. Instead, you can recover files from a Time Machine backup if you have one. Connect the external drive that holds your Time Machine backup to your new Mac, open Migration Assistant, and select "From a Time Machine backup or other disk" instead of selecting your old Mac from the network.

If you do not have a Time Machine backup and your old Mac will not start, you have limited options. You can try connecting the old Mac's hard drive to your new Mac using an external enclosure or adapter (if the old Mac's drive is removable), and then copy files manually. For very old Macs or damaged drives, a data recovery service may be necessary, but this is expensive and should be a last resort.

Transferring only specific files instead of everything

If you want to move only certain files and folders rather than your entire Mac setup, you can skip Migration Assistant and copy files manually. Connect both Macs to the same Wi-Fi network, then on your new Mac open Finder, click "Network" in the sidebar, and locate your old Mac. Double-click it to connect (you will need to enter your old Mac's username and password), and then drag and drop the folders you want to copy.

This method is slower than Migration Assistant for large amounts of data, and you will need to reinstall your applications manually on the new Mac. It is useful if you are switching to a different user account setup, want to leave behind old files, or are troubleshooting a problem with Migration Assistant. For most people, though, Migration Assistant is faster and more reliable.

Common problems and how to fix them

If Migration Assistant cannot find your old Mac, make sure both Macs are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your old Mac is not in sleep mode. Wake it up by moving the mouse or pressing a key. If it still does not appear, try restarting Migration Assistant on both Macs and waiting a minute for them to find each other again.

If the transfer stalls or stops partway through, check that both Macs are still plugged into power and connected to Wi-Fi. If the connection dropped, you may need to start the transfer over. Restart both Macs and try again. If this keeps happening, try moving the Macs closer to your Wi-Fi router or using a wired Ethernet connection if your Mac has an Ethernet port (or via a USB adapter).

If you see an error message about permissions or authentication, make sure you entered the correct password for the old Mac's user account. If you have forgotten the password, you will need to reset it on the old Mac before starting the transfer again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Migration Assistant if my old Mac is running an older version of macOS?

Yes, in most cases. You can transfer from an older Mac running an earlier version of macOS to a newer Mac running a current version. However, if your old Mac is very old (more than 10 years), it may not be compatible with Migration Assistant. Check Apple's support pages for your specific Mac models to confirm compatibility.

Do I need an external drive to use Migration Assistant?

No. Migration Assistant transfers over your Wi-Fi network, so you do not need an external drive or cable. Both Macs just need to be on the same network and plugged into power.

How long does the transfer usually take?

It depends on how much data you have. A Mac with 100 GB of files might take one to two hours, while a Mac with 500 GB or more could take several hours or longer. Larger files (like video projects) transfer more slowly than many small files. Plan for at least an hour and do not interrupt the process.

Will my applications work on the new Mac after the transfer?

Most will, but some older applications may not be compatible with the new Mac's version of macOS. After the transfer, check the App Store for updates to your apps. If an app does not work, you may need to update it or reinstall it from the App Store or the developer's website.

What if I want to start fresh on my new Mac instead of transferring everything?

Skip Migration Assistant during setup and choose "Do not transfer any information." You can then manually copy files and reinstall applications as needed. This takes longer but gives you a clean start if you want to leave behind old files or settings.