Follow these steps to transfer user these steps to transfer user files and other data from a backup stored on a hard drive, Time Capsule or OS X Server. Only Time Machine backups are supported. Not sure if this is the right method for you? See Using Migration Assistant.
- Perform a Time Machine backup of the source (old) Mac (see instructions). If possible, back up just before migrating. Then disconnect the backup from the source Mac.
- Power up the destination (new) Mac.
- If the computer has never been used, click Transfer now and skip to step 6.
- Click the Launchpad and open Migration Assistant. Or click the Finder (desktop), then the Go menu at the top of the screen, choose Utilities and open Migration Assistant.
- Click Continue and type an administrator user name and password to quit all other apps and log out the current user.
- If the backup is on a hard drive, attach it with a Thunderbolt or USB cable.
- If the backup is on a Time Capsule or OS X Server, connect with an Ethernet cable if possible. Ethernet is often 6 times faster than wi-fi.
- Select From a Mac, Time Machine backup or other disk and click continue.
- You may need to log in to a Time Capsule or server. Type the user’s name and password.
- Select the source Mac and click Continue. Source Mac not shown? Click Quit, disconnect from the backup, reconnect, then restart the migration.
- Select the data to migrate and complete the transfer.
