Data transfer between Apple Computers!

Question

Data transfer between Apple Computers!

Why is it that Apple computers are sooooo slow to transfer data between computers, ex: iMac to MacBook Pro?

I am seeing rates of 56 mbps over Wifi.

In the PC world, I would see rates close to the bandwidth of wifi capabilities. Or if hardwired 1 GBPS was not uncommon. Large block transfers of folders of 20GB would transfer in a few minutes on a PC network, on Apple, it could be 4 to 12 hours or more.

Even trying to put files on a USB drive or Memory stick to speed it up is slower than molasses on a cold day.

There must be a faster way. Please advice!

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 13.2

Posted on Mar 12, 2023 07:09 AM

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Answer 1

MartinR

Level 7

23,445 points

Mar 12, 2023 07:47 AM in response to JoefromVentura

Data transfer between Macs is not inherently slower than between other computers. At 56Mbps over WiFI, I would first question your AP and/or router and/or channel congestion.

Over wired ethernet or TB, transferring 20GB should only take a few minutes. I have never had a problem with wired transfer rates between my many Macs.

If you want assistance, please provide detailed information about your setup - exact makes/models of Macs & accessories esp. your disks, WiFi access point(s), router, cables, etc, circumstances under which you experience this slowness, etc.

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Answer 2

Doovde

Level 1

49 points

Mar 12, 2023 08:02 AM in response to JoefromVentura

Hi Joe,

How are you sharing data over the network? Have you created a share in macOS and transferring over SMB? by default macOS has client signing turned on which slows SMB connections right down. You can disable client signing opening a terminal window and run:

sudo -s
echo "[default]" >> /etc/nsmb.conf
echo "signing_required=no" >> /etc/nsmb.conf

For USB devices, I’ve found devices formatted as anything other than APFS to be mega slow. I occasionally save data to a exfat formatted usb stick which takes a while to save and then plug into my Linux laptop and the Linux laptop is far faster reading and writing.

I’ve seen videos on YouTube of folk transferring data over a Thunderbolt link that is fast.

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Answer 3

Mar 12, 2023 09:53 AM in response to MartinR

I have an iMac 2014 running Big Sur, I have an iMac 2012 running an older OS, do not know what it is, I have a MacBook Pro running latest OS Monterey.

I have a C3000Z Centurylink router/modem, I have two time capsules in two separate buildings and are not acting as routers in (off, bridge mode) however use those wireless capabilities in those building, hardwired gigabit ethernet and use their hard drives.

I have used PC's extensively over the years and if one was connected wirelessly or hardwired ethernet. There was no special needs to transfer between PC's on that network, Intranet, behind the router. I do not see why Apple would not work the same with out configuring anything. If any computer is on the ethernet or wireless network and they see each other, it should work and work fast.

Your thoughts?

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Answer 4

MartinR

Level 7

23,445 points

Mar 12, 2023 11:37 AM in response to JoefromVentura

I have an iMac 2012 running an older OS,

Best to identify the exact iMac model and the version of OS X/macOS. AFP was deprecated in Big Sur and all your Macs should be using SMB.

two time capsules in two separate buildings

Are you connecting to the Time Capsule in the same building the Mac is in, or connecting to the TC in the other building? Distance makes a big difference.

And if the two buildings are on the same internal network, how are they connected to each other?

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Data transfer between Apple Computers!

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