Best way to migrate to new Mac

[Cory Cooper]

Hi,

You can migrate a couple of ways...via your Time Machine drive, or directly from your old iMac via Wi-Fi or with a Thunderbolt to USB-C cable.

Move your content to a new Mac

C

 

[Howard Brazee]

Yes, there are several ways, especially if I still have my old Mac. I've used my Time Machine in the past.

Also, in the past, I have always migrated from the same OS to the same OS. I won't have that option this time, as my old Mac won't run Big Sur, and my new Mac won't run anything but Big Sur.

 

[roskruge]

Here's one that is still running MacOS Mojave - v10.14.6 Apple are still sending me Security updates every couple of months.
I did progress to 10.15 Catalina - it did not recognise half my software so quickly jumped back to 10.14.6 From the late 1980's I started with an Apple/Macintosh Tower running OS 7.6 - Always chasing new updates till 10.14.6 - prior to that for years I had uses the Apple 2E (Apples second production computer) with an OS know as Pro-Dos (if I remember correctly). Luckily OS 7.6 did recognise my Pro-Dos files. Collected so much over the years that I now have a external box that can hold 6 x 12TB - but only running about 18Tb at the moment.

 

[renglm]

Write a new, full backup.
Then use migration assistant for pulling all of your files off this backup to your new mac.
(Do reinstall the apps/software that you need directly.)
If you think to need rare files/apps on the old mac, you can have access to it.

 

[Howard Brazee]

To do a new, full backup, are you suggesting that I reformat my Time Machine drive first? (Right now I don't want to spend money on getting another backup drive). Otherwise, I just have my current Time Machine backup (which I will make sure isn't backing up when I disconnect it from my old Mac.

 

[renglm]

To do a new, full backup, are you suggesting that I reformat my Time Machine drive first?

Yes, I do.

 

[Howard Brazee]

Thanks

 

[iguanab]

Hi,

You can migrate a couple of ways...via your Time Machine drive, or directly from your old iMac via Wi-Fi or with a Thunderbolt to USB-C cable.

Move your content to a new Mac

C

I want to be sure that I have this right. If I use a backup, it will include the software. However, if I migrate the two laptops, my software will be lost. Is this correct?

 

[iguanab]

Hi,

You can migrate a couple of ways...via your Time Machine drive, or directly from your old iMac via Wi-Fi or with a Thunderbolt to USB-C cable.

Move your content to a new Mac

C

I want to be sure that I have this right. If I use a backup, it will include the software. However, if I migrate the two laptops, my software will be lost. Is this correct? Thanks!