Data migration from MacStudio M1 to MacMini M4

[Giuanniello]

Long story short, a friend got a new Mini, still has to switch it on, he wants to transfer data, probably just music and pictures, no iCloud, from the old Studio to the new Mini, I remember back in time with a FW cable connect the two, start up the old one in Target mode and then copy it all, what's the route now, can you do that with a usb-c cable and migration assistant or only through wifi?

Thank you

 

[QuarterSwede]

If using Photos and Apple Music, ensure all other files are in iCloud (Documents) and just sign in to the M4 and let it sync. There's nothing else to do. Transferring is largely unnecessary these days with everything in the cloud.

Migration Assistant does still work if they want to go old school. Wildy, it will take longer than just iCloud sync on a broadband connection.

 

[!!!]

I remember back in time with a FW cable connect the two, start up the old one in Target mode and then copy it all, what's the route now, can you do that with a usb-c cable

Yes, just with Thunderbolt instead. Wi-Fi and Ethernet will work as well. I strongly recommend using TB, though, transferring thousands of small files over the network is a headache. Migrating from a Time Machine backup or clone is also an option.

If using Photos and Apple Music, ensure all other files are in iCloud (Documents) and just sign in to the M4 and let it sync. There's nothing else to do. Transferring is largely unnecessary these days with everything in the cloud.

I don't know, I feel like most people who own a Mac, especially a Studio, are going to have more files than can just be in the cloud.

Migration Assistant does still work if they want to go old school. Wildy, it will take longer than just iCloud sync on a broadband connection.

MA will work quite fast with a thunderbolt connection (as opposed to network). One day you may be surprised to find that iCloud has hidden bandwidth limits that will trigger and leave you confused as to why everything stopped syncing. Apple provides no public documentation of what this is, and provides no indication to the user that's what's happening. Good luck with your iCloud someone else's computer!

 

[QuarterSwede]

Yes, just with Thunderbolt instead. Wi-Fi and Ethernet will work as well. I strongly recommend using TB, though, transferring thousands of small files over the network is a headache. Migrating from a Time Machine backup or clone is also an option.

I don't know, I feel like most people who own a Mac, especially a Studio, are going to have more files than can just be in the cloud.

MA will work quite fast with a thunderbolt connection (as opposed to network). One day you may be surprised to find that iCloud has hidden bandwidth limits that will trigger and leave you confused as to why everything stopped syncing. Apple provides no public documentation of what this is, and provides no indication to the user that's what's happening. Good luck with your iCloud someone else's computer!

People with a Mac Studio probably have an external drive(s) too.