How can I set up a new Mac without using Migration Assistant to move over my data?

Question

Level 1

6 points

How can I set up a new Mac without using Migration Assistant to move over my data?

I'm considering not using Migration Assistant when I buy a new Mac. I'm still using a 2015 Intel iMac running macOS Monterey (I know, I know.) Migration Assistant might be just fine at knowing what to transfer to an M4 Mac (a big jump), but perhaps starting with a clean slate would be a better idea since I've never done that, and I've had several Macs over the years, all with different operating systems, apps, passwords, permissions, settings, etc.

I've seen guides on how to use Migration Assistant, or how to set up a new Mac, but no real explanation how to set up a new Mac and THEN how to bring all your stuff over. What can I do to help the process go smoothly?

Here's what I've thought of: I have everything in iCloud turned on, Photos, Mail, Messages, Safari, TV, Podcasts, Music, Contacts, Notes, Passwords, etc. So those should all just populate on the new Mac when I login to my account right?

I'm prepared to re-download my apps from the App Store, or the developer's websites, since they're all 64-bit and paid for. My files in iCloud Documents should populate on the new computer as well? So that just leaves any of my documents on the hard drive which aren't syncing on iCloud which I can copy over manually? I'll have the old computer up and running when I do this, but any advice or a guide I could follow would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

iMac 27″, macOS 12.7

Posted on Aug 10, 2025 1:13 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

HWTech

Level 9

68,228 points

Aug 10, 2025 5:38 PM in response to Kon-El

If you use Migration Assistant (actually Setup Assistant during initial first power on of the new Mac), then you can select your home user folder(s)....just deselect the "Settings" checkboxes both within the home user folder(s) and the wider system "Settings" (the system wide option may be called "System & Networking"). Make sure deselect Applications as well. You can do this by connecting the two computers or attaching the Time Machine backup drive for the old Mac.

Another option is to create a new macOS user account using Setup Assistant during the initial first boot of the new computer, then manually transfer your data to the new computer. You can transfer the data by enabling File Sharing on the old Mac & connecting the new Mac to it, or you can transfer the items to a USB3 SSD.

Here are two Apple articles:

Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support

Transfer your information to Mac from another computer or device - Apple Support

And here is an article written by a respected forum contributor that provides some other general perspectives:

Setup Assistant and Migration Assistant - Apple Community

I don't use iCloud except for Messages & Contacts so I cannot say anything about it other than every option available in iCloud will be enabled by default on the new Mac once you sign in (very annoying for people who want to restrict having certain items in the cloud). However, when you enable AppleID/iCloud on the new Mac, then those synced items will be available at some point (it does require time & bandwidth to download the items, or it may just provide thumbnails until you access items depending on your macOS/iCloud settings).

FYI, you may be unable to agree to the Terms & Conditions during setup of the new Mac if you sign into AppleID/iCloud. If this happens, go back & skip the AppleID/iCloud sign-in so you can proceed to agree to the macOS Terms & Conditions during setup. Once setup is complete, then you can sign into AppleID/iCloud.

Reply

Answer 2

Kon-El Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 11, 2025 12:27 PM in response to HWTech

Thanks for your reply.

I didn't realize Migration Assistant had so many options of what you can tell it to transfer (apps, user accounts, documents, computer settings, etc.) The third article suggested using a Time Machine backup if I ran into trouble using Migration Assistant.

My reason for wanting to begin with a clean system and not import over user settings is because of issues I have on my iMac. And I fear that using a Time Machine backup might be no different than using Migration Assistant in that regard.

When I reboot my iMac I get a popup after startup which says: “Apple has detected a potential problem.” I send the report to Apple, but there's no more information and nothing else seems to happen. Apple Support said it could be an inconsistency in firmware related to something called, "EFI Check." But they've been unable to resolve it. I've used Malwarebytes, Avast, and CleanMyMac to try to look for viruses or fix it but it persists. It didn't go away even when I upgraded macOS from Big Sur to Monterey (the last macOS this iMac will run.)

I also have a strange issue with my iCloud account where syncing behaves oddly between the iMac, my iPhone 14, and my iPad Pro 2nd Gen. All three will show the same 'received' and 'sent' texts in Messages, but anything deleted won't delete on the other devices. Safari bookmarks also sync inconsistently. Apple Support couldn't fix it despite elevating it up the chain, but managed to isolate it to my iMac by having me sign out of iCloud and then create a new user on a friend's MacBook and sign into iCloud. Syncing worked fine with my devices that way. So it's definitely something in my iMac. That's why I want to avoid the Migration Assistant and the Time Machine backup methods to transfer data since I don't know what is causing those issues.

Maybe I'll just have both computers running side by side, and if I run into an issue I can hopefully restore the new Mac and try a different method.

Reply