Migration

[knollfinder]

I am trying to migrate from an old iMac (20", mid 2007, running OS 10.11.6) to a new one. The new one is a late 24 M4 , but I don't know what OS version is in it, because it is NEW, and we are just trying to set it up.

In the startup process, we got to the migration stage. Both Macs were on the same network. At that point, I assumed I did not have access to the (new) Target's system and Migration program, so I went to the (old) Source. Started the migration program and selected Transfer to another Mac.

The Target says "Transfer to this Mac" and seems to have found the Source, identifying it, and saying it was checking the Source.

The Source screen says "Migrate to another Mac", but below that are instructions on transferring TO IT. It identifies the correct network. It then starts looking for other computers, first on the correct network, and then on another network the Source could use, but is not currently selected. I went through the procedure several times, to make sure I was doing it correctly, trying again after nothing happened in 15 minutes. The last time I let it go for 1 ½ hours. I gave up at that point.

I then decided to connect the two directly, with a USB cable, to see if that would work. No luck

I then turned off the Wifi, to see if the Source would go to the direct connection and not search the universe. No luck

Is it possible that the OS on the Source is so old that it is not compatible with the Target's. I can see moving a lot of material manually, but not all the material is visible. I remember some time ago, I could find the files containing email and actually move them, but even on the old Source, I can't find the email files. Must have been a long time ago.

Is it possible to bypass the Migration, and come back to it after setting everything else up?

We do have an external drive with Time Machine backups. Maybe that would work?

 

[Lufbrarunner]

To migrate a macOS Time Machine backup, ensure the backup disk is connected, then run Migration Assistant on your new Mac, either during initial setup or later from the Applications > Utilities folder. Select the option to transfer from a Time Machine backup, choose the desired backup date and time, and follow the on-screen instructions to transfer your data.

During New Mac Setup

1. Connect the Backup Disk:
   Connect your Time Machine backup disk to your new Mac and make sure it's turned on.
   
   
2. Start Setup Assistant:
   Turn on your new Mac to start the setup process.
   
   
3. Select Data Transfer:
   When Migration Assistant appears, choose the option to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk.
   
   
4. Choose Backup:
   Select the Time Machine backup you wish to restore from, enter any required passwords, and choose the specific backup date and time you want to use.
   
   
5. Complete Migration:
   Follow the prompts to select the information to transfer and set up your new user accounts, then the data transfer will begin.
   

After New Mac Initial Setup

1. Connect the Backup Disk:
   Connect your Time Machine backup disk to your Mac.
   
   
2. Open Migration Assistant:
   Go to your Applications folder, then open the Utilities folder, and launch Migration Assistant.
   
   
3. Choose Migration Method:
   When prompted, select the option to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk.
   
   
4. Select Backup:
   Choose your Time Machine backup disk and the specific backup you want to restore.
   
   
5. Follow Onscreen Instructions:
   Provide any necessary passwords and follow the instructions to complete the transfer of your data to your new Mac.
   

Important Considerations

• Time:
  The transfer process can take several hours, depending on the amount of data, so ensure both computers remain undisturbed.
  
  
• Account Names:
  If there's an account name conflict, you may be prompted to rename the user account on the backup, making it an additional user on your new Mac.
  
  
• Backup History:
  Once a new Mac inherits a Time Machine backup's history, that backup history cannot be used on the original Mac.

 

[Rodananne]

Be very careful to ensure you migrate the same user account to the new Mac. Do not rename the Admin user account if it can be avoided. Both devices should have the exact same name.

 

[knollfinder]

I got a reply indicating that I could bypass the migration to finish setting up the computer. Then I could use the Migration Assistant on the new iMac to run the migration. Well, it didn't seem to work. So I tried one more tactic: I turned on the MA in both computers, and the migration process began. There was nothing in the limited on-screen instructions that told me that.

So, I stopped when the process presented me with a list of data folders to transfer:
Applications
Larry Berman (That's me; I handed down the iMac to my wife, and most of the files are now hers. I see that Rodananne says that we
may have a problem, as the new iMac has her name on it.)
Other files and folders
System & Network
My question is: Does the migration replace files on the new new iMac. There might be reason for doing that if you are moving newer items into an older system? Some of the apps in the old iMac are ours, and we want to move them, but what about Safari? We certainly don't want the old one. Is there away to pick and choose in the process?

 

[Rodananne]

Ideally using Migration Assistant the Target device (New Mac) should be empty and not even logged into but that is not the case with yours. Regardless you can still continue with the process. Here are Apple's instructions for the process if you don't have them already;

Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support

Use Migration Assistant to copy your files from another computer.

support.apple.com

Follow these instructions to the letter making sure you know what each step means before making a decision especially Step #3. In my case I would always go for the first option listed because renaming the admin user account can lead to permission issues preventing you from accessing some files/documents created with the previously named account.

So, if you follow the instructions and go for the first option in Step 3 and replace the same name account with the account on the old Mac you will have an exact copy of your old Mac on the new Mac. No need to keep a copy as pictured in the article. Everything will be the same.

Migrating everything else will not overwrite any of the New Native apps like Safari it will simply migrate any other apps you may have installed, some of which may not be compatible with the new operating system but you can tackle that after the migration assistant has completed the process. You don't need to pick and choose.

If you get it wrong it's no longer a big deal. You can erase everything on the new computer and start over again. See below;

Using "Erase All Contents and Settings" you can return the new Mac to how it was in the beginning and start again.