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

Migration Assistant is the simplest method for moving your entire setup from an old Mac to a new one. It transfers your user account, files, applications, settings, and preferences in one process. You run it on the new Mac, point it to the old Mac (or a backup), and it handles the rest without you manually selecting what to move.

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

The whole transfer can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have and your connection speed. Your new Mac will restart during the process, so plan for a time when you won't need it.

Key Takeaways

  • Migration Assistant copies your entire user account, applications, and files to the new Mac in one automated process.
  • You can transfer directly between two Macs, from a Time Machine backup, or from an external drive — choose based on whether your old Mac still works.
  • The new Mac will restart during migration, and the process takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data.
  • If you only need specific files rather than your whole setup, you can manually copy them using AirDrop, iCloud Drive, or an external drive instead.

How to use Migration Assistant between two Macs

Start by connecting both Macs to the same Wi-Fi network or plugging them together with a Thunderbolt or USB-C cable. Turn on your new Mac and go through the initial setup until you reach the "Migration Assistant" screen — it usually appears automatically during first setup. If you miss it, open Migration Assistant from Applications > Utilities on the new Mac.

On the new Mac, select "From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk" and click Continue. The tool will search for your old Mac on the network. When it appears in the list, select it and enter your old Mac's password. On the old Mac, a dialog will appear asking you to confirm the transfer — click Allow.

Next, choose what to transfer. You can move everything or uncheck specific categories like applications or certain user accounts. Most people transfer everything. Click Continue, and Migration Assistant will begin copying your data. Do not shut down either Mac during this process.

Transferring from a Time Machine backup

If your old Mac no longer works or is unavailable, you can restore from a Time Machine backup instead. Open Migration Assistant on the new Mac and select "From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk." Choose "Time Machine backup" and select the backup drive from the list.

Migration Assistant will show you all the backups on that drive. Select the most recent one (or the one closest to when you last used the old Mac). Then follow the same process as a direct transfer — choose what to move and let it run to completion.

Make sure the Time Machine backup drive is connected to your new Mac before you start. If the backup is on an external drive, keep it plugged in throughout the entire transfer.

Transferring from an external drive or USB

If you've already copied files to an external drive or USB drive, you can move them to your new Mac by connecting the drive and dragging files into your user folder. This method works well for specific folders or documents, but it does not transfer your applications, system settings, or email accounts the way Migration Assistant does.

To copy an entire user folder this way, connect the external drive to your new Mac, open Finder, and navigate to the drive. Drag your user folder (or specific subfolders like Documents, Downloads, or Desktop) into the Users folder on your new Mac's hard drive. You may need to enter your password to complete the copy.

This approach is slower than Migration Assistant for large amounts of data, but it gives you more control over what moves and what stays behind.

Using AirDrop or iCloud Drive for smaller transfers

AirDrop works well if you only need to move a few files or folders. Make sure both Macs are on the same Wi-Fi network and have Bluetooth enabled. On your old Mac, open Finder, select the files you want to move, and click the AirDrop icon in the sidebar. Your new Mac should appear in the list — click it to send the files.

iCloud Drive is another option if you have enough storage space. Save files to iCloud Drive on your old Mac, then sign into your iCloud account on the new Mac and the files will sync automatically. This method is slower than direct transfer but works well if you want to move files gradually or keep them backed up in the cloud.

Both methods work best for documents, photos, and smaller application files. They do not transfer system settings, email accounts, or your complete user environment the way Migration Assistant does.

What to do if Migration Assistant gets stuck or fails

If the transfer stalls or stops partway through, restart both Macs and try again. Make sure both are plugged into power and connected to a stable network. If you are using Wi-Fi, move the Macs closer together to strengthen the signal.

If Migration Assistant repeatedly fails, try transferring from a Time Machine backup instead of directly between Macs. Backups are often more reliable because they are stored as a single file rather than being read live from your old Mac's drive.

You can also create a new Time Machine backup on your old Mac before starting the transfer, which gives Migration Assistant a fresh copy to work from. Connect an external drive, open System Settings > General > Time Machine, and click "Add Backup Disk."

After the transfer is complete

Once Migration Assistant finishes, your new Mac will restart and log into your user account. Check that your applications, files, and settings are all present. Open a few applications to make sure they work correctly. Some applications may need to be reactivated or re-authorized on the new Mac.

If you have a lot of data, the first sync with iCloud, Photos, or other cloud services may take several hours in the background. Let your Mac run overnight if needed. You can check progress in System Settings > General > Storage.

Once you are confident everything transferred correctly, you can erase your old Mac if you plan to sell or recycle it. On the old Mac, go to System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset, then choose "Erase All Content and Settings" to securely wipe it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, if you have a Time Machine backup of the old Mac. Connect the backup drive to your new Mac, open Migration Assistant, and select the backup. If you do not have a backup, you can try connecting the old Mac's drive to the new Mac using a Thunderbolt cable in Target Disk Mode, then running Migration Assistant from that drive.

Will Migration Assistant transfer my email and passwords?

Yes. Migration Assistant copies your email accounts, saved passwords, and keychain data to the new Mac. You may need to re-enter passwords for some accounts the first time you use them, but most will transfer automatically.

How much free space do I need on my new Mac?

Your new Mac needs at least as much free space as the total amount of data you are transferring. If you are moving 250 GB of files, you need at least 250 GB of free space available. Check your old Mac's storage in System Settings > General > Storage to see how much space to expect.

Can I transfer to an older version of macOS?

No. Your new Mac must be running the same version of macOS or newer than your old Mac. If your new Mac has an older operating system, update it first before running Migration Assistant.

What if I only want to transfer certain applications, not everything?

During Migration Assistant, you can uncheck "Applications" to skip all apps, then manually copy only the ones you want. Alternatively, use AirDrop or an external drive to move specific applications to the Applications folder on your new Mac.