When you get a new Mac, Apple’s Migration Assistant utility makes it really easy to migrate all your data from your old one. Even if all of your documents are stored in one cloud or another, your third-party applications and settings are not, and some other personal data might also be only on your Mac.

In order to hit the ground without missing a beat, I recommend doing a full migration as part of the new Mac setup process. Previously, I would do this from a Time Machine or clone backup, but on modern Macs with Flash storage, a direct transfer can be much faster.

Use a Cable

Migration Assistant supports a variety of channels for transferring data, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Thunderbolt. Amazingly, it can create an ad hoc wireless connection without a router in between. However, Wi-Fi can be slow compared to wired choices.

The Titanium PowerBook G3 released in 2000 was the first Mac with a gigabit Ethernet port and one capable of electronically switching between “straight” and “crossover.” The latter enables a direct connection between two computers without requiring a special cable.

Although most Mac Ethernet ports are still limited to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), Ethernet is still an acceptable migration channel. However, Thunderbolt supports 10, 20, or 40 Gbps, so if you have the cable (and adapter) necessary to connect two Macs, you’re golden, especially when combined with the speedy capabilities of Flash storage media.

Wait Patiently… but not too long

I’ve found that Migration Assistant is the most notorious app for inaccurately calculating how long a transfer will take. I’ve only seen it estimate time remaining based on the transfer rate at any given moment.

I think the utility ought to have an accurate picture of what’s to come. After all, it started off discovering everything to be transferred, ensuring there’s enough space. Second, it shouldn’t be in the dark that that certain types of data, namely Applications, are slower to transfer than others.

Anyway, as long as Migration Assistant provides an estimate of time remaining — and, as of macOS Big Sur, the number of files transferred — you can usually trust that your patience won’t need to last too long. The migrations I’ve initiated to M1 Macs have taken under 30 minutes apiece.

What Next?

After a migration is complete, you can generally trust that everything you had on your old Mac will be just where you left it when you sign into your new Mac. The computer will likely ask you to decide about a handful of features and settings, like signing into your Apple ID, choosing your preferred appearance, and setting up Touch ID.

After you reach the Desktop, I recommend opening the applications you primarily use to make sure all are running smoothly. Some apps like Mail and Photos may need to upgrade their database. Others like Microsoft Office and Dropbox may need you to sign in again.

If you’re upgrading to Apple Silicon, some apps like Google Chrome may be available for download in a separate, native version instead of one that requires Rosetta 2 for translation. Feel free to download these updates. Otherwise, assuming all your applications are compatible, you can pretty much pick up where you left off.

In the new age of Apple Silicon Macs, I’ve put on hold my recommendations to buy refurbished Intel Macs. If you need a replacement Mac and the screen size is right for you, the new models are unbelievably fast and the price is a steal.

Are you in the market?