Moving from older to newer 27" iMac

I am currently going through my present 27" iMac to remove digital detritus, et cetera, after which I'll update the OS (Probably Ventura). Then I'll open my newer 27" (2020) and begin transferring data. I have found a method which sounds too easy to be true.

Simply connect the old Mac's Time Machine External Hard Disk to the new Mac using a USB cable before you turn on the new Mac. When you start the new Mac for the first time it will startup Setup Assistant (SA), SA will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another computer, select Yes and follow the on-screen prompts.

If you have already done SA on the new computer then simply connect the Time Machine External Hard Disk using a USB cable and launch Migration Assistant (MA) which is located in Applications - Utilities - MA. Then follow the on-screen prompts.

Both SA and MA migrate applications (not 32 bit apps) , data files, settings, it does not migrate Mac OS itself. Some professional apps such as Adobe and Microsoft apps may require re-installing their apps as they will not allow them to be migrated.

It's from an Apple Support Community

Thoughts?

Dead link, ryck.

In the dark, Migration Assistant sounds like your way to go.

Now fixed the link. Man, you're fast to reply!

Originally Posted by artie505

In the dark, Migration Assistant sounds like your way to go.

Even though I need to create a new User Account? Right now my machine has two separate accounts...mine and my wife's.

Gotta hit the sack...will check in the A.M.

Originally Posted by ryck

Man, you're fast to reply!

As are you!

Originally Posted by ryck

Originally Posted by artie505

In the dark, Migration Assistant sounds like your way to go.

Even though I need to create a new User Account? Right now my machine has two separate accounts...mine and my wife's.

Since Migration Assistant enables you to migrate one or both of your existing accounts, would you still need to create a new one?

Originally Posted by artie505

Since Migration Assistant enables you to migrate one or both of your existing accounts, would you still need to create a new one?

I don't know, but the person at the Apple Support Community posted:

"The ONLY difference between MA and SA is MA will create a new user account that you need to log into."

Originally Posted by ryck

Originally Posted by artie505

Since Migration Assistant enables you to migrate one or both of your existing accounts, would you still need to create a new one?

I don't know, but the person at the Apple Support Community posted:

"The ONLY difference between MA and SA is MA will create a new user account that you need to log into."

MA will enable you to populate your new a/c(s) with the contents of your existing a/c(s). (SA also creates a new a/c, and it needs to be populated via MA.)

Originally Posted by ryck

[i]Simply connect the old Mac's Time Machine External Hard Disk to the new Mac using a USB cable before you turn on the new Mac. When you start the new Mac for the first time it will startup Setup Assistant (SA), SA will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another computer, select Yes and follow the on-screen prompts.

Don't overthink it. Yes, turn on the new iMac, begin the process and when prompted, plug-in (if not already hooked up) the TM backup and magic happens. The new iMac should "look" like the old one, once the transfer is completed. In my experiences it is not a real fast process, but it does the job.

Originally Posted by ryck

I am currently going through my present 27" iMac to remove digital detritus, et cetera, after which I'll update the OS (Probably Ventura). Then I'll open my newer 27" (2020) and begin transferring data. I have found a method which sounds too easy to be true.

Simply connect the old Mac's Time Machine External Hard Disk to the new Mac using a USB cable before you turn on the new Mac. When you start the new Mac for the first time it will startup Setup Assistant (SA), SA will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another computer, select Yes and follow the on-screen prompts.

If you have already done SA on the new computer then simply connect the Time Machine External Hard Disk using a USB cable and launch Migration Assistant (MA) which is located in Applications - Utilities - MA. Then follow the on-screen prompts.

Both SA and MA migrate applications (not 32 bit apps) , data files, settings, it does not migrate Mac OS itself. Some professional apps such as Adobe and Microsoft apps may require re-installing their apps as they will not allow them to be migrated.

It's from an Apple Support Community

Thoughts?

Boot your new computer into the Recovery Drive and update the OS to the most current version, that will morph into the setup process.
Very early during the setup process, before you create a new account, you will be asked if you want to Migrate from another computer or Time Machine backup
Answer in the affirmative and Migration Assistant will immediately take over
When Migration Assistant completes, you will have your old account up and running on the new Mac. IT IS THAT EASY.
Once that is complete you can manually launch Migration Assistant and migrate your wife's account.

Originally Posted by joemikeb

Once that is complete you can manually launch Migration Assistant and migrate your wife's account.

In my experience, Migration Assistant has always taken care of both of my accounts in one shot.

Thank-you everyone for all your input. Clearly, the newer iMac c/w Time Machine is the way to go, using guidance you have provided. The changeover will happen after I see if there is an answer to a related, but completely different, issue that has popped up. I will start a new thread for it.

Stay tuned and thanks again.