Migrating from Old iMac 2017 to MacMini M4

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Level 1

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Migrating from Old iMac 2017 to MacMini M4

I have questions about migrating my old iMac 2017 to my new MacMini M4.

First, my old iMac is connected to the net via Ethernet. I do have WiFi where the old computer and new MacMini are located but it's not the strongest (although it might work okay). Should I try the migration by disconnecting my ethernet and enabling WiFi on my old iMac or is there another strategy? I don't have a way of connecting my new MacMini via ethernet.

Second question: When I set up the migration, do I want to migrate system files along with my data, etc.? What system files will it migrate? Obviously, my old iMac has Ventura OS and my new MacMini has Sequoia. Will migrating my system files override the new OS files?

Final Question: I have certain applications on my old computer that are Intel-based (primarily Adobe Creative Suite). I know that Adobe makes Universal applications. Should I just migrate all my applications over to my new MacMini, then delete my Adobe apps and install the apps again (will Creative Suite know to install Universal versions?)? How does that work?

Thanks!

iMac 27″ 5K, macOS 13.6

Posted on Dec 13, 2024 05:54 AM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

122,148 points

Dec 13, 2024 06:23 AM in response to outtacontext

The key to migration is a last Time Machine backup from the old iMac. Connect this Time Machine drive to the new Mac mini. You may need a USB-C to USB-A adapter cable or dongle. On the first startup of your new Mini, it will eventually ask you if wish to migrate from another Mac or Time Machine. You choose Time Machine and it will then detect that mounted Time Machine drive and begin the migration process for you.

If you have already gone through the initial boot and configuration process and can sign into your new Mac mini, then you want to still have that iMac Time Machine drive connected. You then launch Migration Assistant which is in your Application/Utilities folder. Do not migrate Applications from the old iMac, but do migrate everything else. When it is done, reboot your new Mac Mini and everything should be as it was on the old iMac. When you launch Mail, it may momentarily tell you in a dialog that it is migrating your old Mail.

For each third-party application that you used on the old iMac, you need to visit their vendor site (or Mac App Store) and determine if there is a current version compatible with macOS Sequoia v15.2. If you were using Microsoft Office on the iMac, you will likely need a new installation and license for Sequoia.

Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Dec 13, 2024 06:16 AM in response to outtacontext

I never use Migration Assistant as it can migrate corrupt files to your lovely new machine.

Just set up a new User Account and email account and preferably download new versions of your apps where possible.

Then transfer any vital items manually either by using AirDrop or an intermediary external drive.

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Migrating from Old iMac 2017 to MacMini M4

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