The fastest way to move everything to a new Mac

The fastest and most reliable way to transfer your files, apps, and settings to a new Mac is to use Migration Assistant, which comes built into macOS. It copies your entire user account — including documents, photos, applications, email, browser history, and system preferences — directly from your old Mac to your new one. You can run Migration Assistant during the initial setup of your new Mac, or later if you've already started using it.

You have three methods to choose from: transferring over a local network (fastest if both Macs are on the same Wi-Fi), using a Time Machine backup (if you have one), or transferring from a Mac that's in Recovery Mode. For most people, the network transfer during setup is the simplest option and takes one to three hours depending on how much data you have.

Key Takeaways

  • Migration Assistant is the built-in tool that transfers your entire account, apps, and settings — you don't need to download anything or pay for software.
  • The network transfer method works best if both Macs are on the same Wi-Fi network and you run it during your new Mac's initial setup.
  • You can also transfer from a Time Machine backup or from your old Mac in Recovery Mode if the network method isn't an option.
  • After the transfer completes, check that your apps still work and sign back into services like iCloud, email, and streaming apps that may have lost their connection.

Network transfer during setup (the standard method)

When you turn on your new Mac for the first time, the setup assistant will ask whether you want to transfer information from another Mac. Select "From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk" and then choose "From another Mac." Your new Mac will display a code on the screen.

On your old Mac, open Migration Assistant (located in Applications > Utilities). It will detect your new Mac on the network and show the code. Enter the code on your old Mac to confirm the connection. Then select the user account you want to transfer and click Continue. The transfer will begin and run in the background — you can use your old Mac during this time, though it will be slower.

Once the transfer finishes, your new Mac will restart and log you into your transferred account. All your files, folders, applications, and preferences should be in the same places they were on your old Mac.

Transferring from a Time Machine backup

If you have a Time Machine backup of your old Mac, you can use it to transfer to your new Mac. During setup, select "From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk" and then choose the Time Machine backup. Your new Mac will restore everything from that backup.

This method is useful if your old Mac is no longer available or if you want to transfer from a backup that's a few weeks or months old. The transfer speed depends on the size of your backup and where it's stored — backups on an external drive connected via USB are faster than backups stored over a network.

Transferring after setup is complete

If you've already finished setting up your new Mac and want to transfer files later, you can still use Migration Assistant. Open it on your new Mac (Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant) and select "From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk." Follow the same steps as the network transfer, but note that you'll be creating a new user account on your new Mac rather than replacing an existing one.

This approach is slower than transferring during setup because your new Mac is already running. It's best used when you only want to transfer specific files or apps rather than your entire account, or when you need to keep your current setup on the new Mac intact.

What to check after the transfer completes

After Migration Assistant finishes, spend time verifying that everything transferred correctly. Open your most-used applications to confirm they launch and work as expected. Check that your files are in the locations where you expect them, and open a few documents to make sure they open properly.

Some apps and services may need you to sign back in because they don't transfer login credentials. This includes iCloud, email accounts, streaming services like Netflix or Spotify, and banking apps. You'll also need to re-enter passwords for Wi-Fi networks if they weren't stored in your Keychain. If you use two-factor authentication, have your phone nearby because you may need to verify your identity.

Check your browser bookmarks and extensions — these usually transfer, but occasionally a browser update or extension incompatibility can cause them to disappear. If that happens, you can restore them from your browser's sync service or from the backup files on your old Mac.

Transferring only specific files instead of everything

If you don't want to transfer your entire account and prefer to set up your new Mac from scratch, you can copy individual files and folders manually. Connect an external drive to your old Mac, drag the folders you want to keep (Documents, Pictures, Downloads, Desktop) onto the external drive, then connect that drive to your new Mac and copy them to the appropriate locations.

This method takes longer and requires more manual work, but it gives you a clean start on your new Mac without old files, preferences, or potentially outdated settings cluttering your system. You'll need to reinstall your applications from the App Store or their original installers, and reconfigure your email and other services.

Another option is to use iCloud Drive or a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox to sync your important files. This works well if you only need access to a subset of your files and don't mind setting up your applications fresh on the new Mac.

Troubleshooting common transfer problems

If Migration Assistant stops or shows an error, the most common cause is a network interruption. Make sure both Macs stay on the same Wi-Fi network and close any applications that use a lot of bandwidth (like video streaming or large downloads). If the transfer fails partway through, you can restart Migration Assistant and it will usually resume from where it left off.

If your old Mac is very slow during the transfer, it's normal — Migration Assistant uses significant processing power. Closing other applications on your old Mac can speed things up. If the transfer takes much longer than expected (more than several hours for a typical user account), check that both Macs are connected to Wi-Fi and not in sleep mode.

If you transferred your account but some applications won't launch or show errors, the app may not be compatible with your new Mac's version of macOS. Check the App Store or the developer's website to see if an updated version is available. You may need to reinstall the application or purchase a newer version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer to a Mac with a different processor, like from Intel to Apple Silicon?

Yes. Migration Assistant works between Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. Some older applications designed only for Intel may not run on Apple Silicon, but Migration Assistant will transfer them anyway — you'll just need to update or replace them. Most major applications now have Apple Silicon versions available.

What if my old Mac is broken or won't turn on?

If you have a Time Machine backup, you can transfer from that backup to your new Mac. If you don't have a backup and your old Mac won't start, you can try starting it in Recovery Mode by holding Command-R during startup, then running Migration Assistant from there. If that doesn't work, you'll need to set up your new Mac manually and copy files using an external drive or cloud storage.

Do I need to erase my old Mac after the transfer?

No, the transfer doesn't erase your old Mac. You should keep your old Mac as-is for at least a week to confirm everything transferred correctly. Once you're confident the new Mac has everything you need, you can erase your old Mac if you're selling it or recycling it. Use Erase Mac from System Settings to securely wipe it.

Will my passwords transfer to the new Mac?

Passwords stored in your Keychain (Safari passwords, Wi-Fi passwords, and app passwords) will transfer. However, some applications store passwords in their own secure storage and may not transfer them — you'll need to sign back in. For security reasons, it's a good practice to re-enter passwords for sensitive accounts like email and banking even if they seem to have transferred.

How long does the transfer take?

Transfer time depends on how much data you have and your network speed. A typical user account with 100 to 200 GB of files usually takes one to three hours over Wi-Fi. Larger accounts can take longer. Transfers over a wired network connection (using an Ethernet adapter) are faster than Wi-Fi. Time Machine transfers are usually slower than network transfers because they have to restore from a backup file.