You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

I don't have an administrator password for Migration Assistant

I'm getting a new iMac and I understand I will be using migration assistant to transfer everything from my old Mac. From what I've seen on u-tube the migration assistant asks for an adminstration password for the old computer. I don't have one for the old computer. Will the migration assistant allow me to proceed without it? I don't mean I've forgotten the password; it was never set up with one. I don't know if this is revelemnt or not but I can say that when I power up the old computer it doesn't ask for a password.

Thank you for your reply


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iMac, OS X 10.11

Posted on Oct 8, 2024 12:26 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 8, 2024 12:53 PM

The most reliable method is to connect the old Mac’s Time Machine drive to the new Mac before turning on the new Mac. When you turn on the new Mac it will launch Setup Assistant which will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another Mac. Select yes and follow the on-screen prompts. Works 100% of the time assuming your Time Machine drive is in good mechanical condition.


NEVER EVER use WiFi it will fail. Do as I suggest and it will just work.

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 8, 2024 12:53 PM in response to sisters 4

The most reliable method is to connect the old Mac’s Time Machine drive to the new Mac before turning on the new Mac. When you turn on the new Mac it will launch Setup Assistant which will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another Mac. Select yes and follow the on-screen prompts. Works 100% of the time assuming your Time Machine drive is in good mechanical condition.


NEVER EVER use WiFi it will fail. Do as I suggest and it will just work.

I don't have an administrator password for Migration Assistant

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.