Early 2015 MBP to M4 MBA. Which cables? Which "assistant" to use?

[Miss Terri]

I am currently using an Early 2015 Macbook Pro running Sierra. I am planning to order a new M4 Macbook Air and want to order any needed adapters or cables for making the transfer at the same time (I'm hours from any shops that would have these, so no zipping to the store at that point).

My questions:

1) What cable would I use to connect the two computers (or what options if more than one)? I want to use a cable and not Wifi.

The 2015 MBP has Thunderbolt 2 ports (which I've never actually used, so no cables in my inventory), USB A ports (the square type), and an HDMI port (also something I haven't used). The Macbook Air has Thunderbolt 4.

Basically, I was optimized for Firewire in the past and so on this (2015) computer just "downshifted" to using USB for connecting my backup drives; thus I'm cable poor at the moment.

For the life of me, I can't figure out what Thunderbolt works with what other Thunderbolt (read a few threads, got even more confused) or if I should even use Thunderbolt. I want to transfer via cable and not Wi-fi.

****************

2) I gather Setup Assistant is gone? That's what I've used in the past to "duplicate" my old Mac on a new Mac, but am I now supposed to use Migration Assistant instead? In the past I eschewed Migration Assistant (for a reason I forget) and used Setup Assistant.

I watched a number of youtube videos, but they are always moving from a relatively new computer, to an even newer computer. So anything related to moving from a 10-year-old computer was left out (cables, which assistant, etc.)

Note that I've never been one to do a "clean" install. I've always just used Setup Assistant, and let everything move over. Instead of getting rid of old files, I just buy computers with more storage, for better or worse.

I do also have full backups of the 2015 computer on hard drives. One Super Duper and one Time Machine, FWIW.

Thank you for any help.

PS: I did search. I'm sure there is something here already but guessing I wasn't using the right terms..... but then there are many ways to describe it.

 

[Bigwaff]

Get USB drive and make a Time Machine backup of old MBP. During set up of MBA, when asked if you want to migrate from an older Mac, choose TM option. Plug in USB drive. It’s as easy as that.

 

[Miss Terri]

Hi Bigwaff,

Thank you so much for replying. I still have a few questions.

So first, I don't understand why now everyone (on youtube) is using "Migration Assistant" and not "Setup Assistant"?

Back in ye olden days (my computers, LOL), "Setup Assistant" was the way to go with a brand new computer where you just wanted to make it identical to your previous computer. IIRC, "Migration Assistant" was for doing somethign similar but not with a brand new computer (?).

However, I guess (until I can get into Terminal as fast as my fingers can take me) new Macs just turn on automatically when you open the lid, maybe the secret to using Setup Assistant is plugging in the donor drive or computer BEFORE you ever open the lid? (So much for checking out the fit and finish before committing.)

Does that square with what you know?

****

Next, I would still prefer to use my current computer (the donor) instead of a drive. Reason is just because I will be able to see the screen, which may help if something isn't going right (and.... I just like to see what's going on as much as possible).

But I cannot for the life of me figure out what cord to use to connect the two, since I would like to use the Thunderbolt 2 port on the donor computer. I don't think I've ever even plugged anything into those ports, so I have no cords. No problem, I'll buy one. But which one? I find everything from "Thunderbolt 4 is totally backwards compatible" to "But not with Thunderbolt 2" (?)

I see Apple has a $50 Thunderbolt 3 (which none of the computers have) to Thunderbolt 2 (donor computer) adapter. But it looks like it kind of goes the wrong way. Meaning I would have to also buy a Thunderbolt 2 cable (which I'll never use again) instead of adapting such that I could buy a Thunderbolt 4 cable, which I will presumably have a use for.

I have searched, read Apple's website, searched some more. The problem is, I think, that these are all such common search terms (cable, thunderbolt, numbers) that there is nothing to home in on to make the search unique in any way so that I can find what I need.

So in a nutshell:

1) Is it true that in order to get to Setup Assistant, I have to plug in the donor computer BEFORE I even open the lid of the new computer to look at it?

2) Is there some (weird) reason that everyone (on youtube) now seems to be using Migration Assistant instead?

3) What cable do I use to connect Thunderbolt 2 (donor computer) to Thunderbolt 4 (new MBA?

4) Is there anything else I need to know in going from a 2015 Intel Mac on Sierra to a new MBA? Everyone's instructional video I could find is transferring from another Silicon Mac, not an older one like mine.

Thank you!

 

[Bigwaff]

So in a nutshell:

1) Is it true that in order to get to Setup Assistant, I have to plug in the donor computer BEFORE I even open the lid of the new computer to look at it?

Nope. You will be prompted when to attach migration source.

2) Is there some (weird) reason that everyone (on youtube) now seems to be using Migration Assistant instead?

Migration Assistant is used during set up seamlessly and can also be used after initial set up. Your preference.

3) What cable do I use to connect Thunderbolt 2 (donor computer) to Thunderbolt 4 (new MBA?

Use Time Machine approach. But if you want to over complicate and spend money, a TB2 cable and an Apple TB2>TB3 adapter.

4) Is there anything else I need to know in going from a 2015 Intel Mac on Sierra to a new MBA? Everyone's instructional video I could find is transferring from another Silicon Mac, not an older one like mine.

Not really except newer macOS version will be different enough you should watch/read some tutorials.

 

[Miss Terri]

Nope. You will be prompted when to attach migration source.

Migration Assistant is used during set up seamlessly and can also be used after initial set up. Your preference.

Nope. You will be prompted when to attach migration source.

Migration Assistant is used during set up seamlessly and can also be used after initial set up. Your preference.

Use Time Machine approach. But if you want to over complicate and spend money, a TB2 cable and an Apple TB2>TB3 adapter.

Not really except newer macOS version will be different enough you should watch/read some tutorials.

Okay, so just to be 100% clear: "Setup Assistant" (which used to live happily alongside "Migration Assistant" but was more specifically geared to that first transfer onto a new computer) no longer exists? I've seen mixed messages on this, but you sound confident that it's gone.

It's not that I "want to over complicate and spend money." It's just that none of my backup drives have screens, and I would prefer to be able to see what's going on on the donor computer, if possible. No, not if it costs $500. But if it's a cable.... yes.

 

[kitKAC]

Have a read of this: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102613

 

[chabig]

You should just use wifi for the migration. There is no need to spend money on Thunderbolt adapters.

 

[Miss Terri]

You should just use wifi for the migration. There is no need to spend money on Thunderbolt adapters.

As it turns out I'm going to do both. 1) Use cables; and, 2) Not spend money on them. So all good at this point.

BTW, since this thread has continued, I managed to find what I could almost-but-not-quite remember. (Now this is in my own words, and while I think the gist is correct, I may have a detail wrong.) That is that if you use Setup Assistant (which leads to migration assistant) when you first open the computer, BEFORE you have put in a username, you get the correct 501 UID for yourself (main user). This is the only time it starts as Setup Assistant (when you have not used the computer yet).

If you wait and use "just" Migration Assistant (not being led into by Setup Assistant) AFTER you have used the computer and created a User Name on it, then when your "real" username gets migrated over, you have a bit of a dilemma (two same usernames, which Apple for some reason has never made merge-able; or just a throwaway username that gets the prime UID).

If you choose to use the new account that is migrated over, (but change it to the other name you had made on the new computer before migrating), that gets a 502 UID, but all that stuff used to be associated with the 501 UID. So then apparently you can have conflicts or weirdnesses (or not, but there is a non-zero chance).

This is what I couldn't quite remember, but I knew there was something to watch out for.

When this happened to me back in the day, I used another option, which is to "nuke" the computer back to like new and start over with Setup Assistant--->Migration Assistant (vs. only Migration Assistant) (which only shows up when you go to make the first user ever, so when the computer is new).

There is more about it here, for anyone who is interested:

Is migration assistant the best way to set up a new computer?: Mac Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Expert news, reviews and videos of the latest digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and phones. Get answers to your questions in our photography forums.

www.dpreview.com

Plus of course the good advice I got previously in this thread. I now understand that in addition to making sure to use Setup Assistant BEFORE I make any username on the new computer, I will also want to either launch Migration Assistant on the old Mac --- or start it in Target disc mode. Since I would like to use the old computer to move stuff over.

(I don't know if this is true or not, but I found instances where people said that doing it with a Time Machine drive sometimes doesn't move everything? Maybe that is wrong but.... I don't want to find out. It does also look like I could use my Super Duper backup drive. But I'll try it with the old computer and cables first.)

 

[Miss Terri]

Have a read of this: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102613

Thanks for the link. I can follow along with that

I now know that (the way that page is laid out), it's "1a" that I want to do; and "1b" that I definitely want to avoid. I want my account to be the 501 UID through and through.

(1a being Setup Assistant leading to a migration with NO username on the new computer already. 1b being using Migration Assistant but you already set up a username on the new computer before moving your stuff over.)

*********
But you know, this does bring up one more (minor!) question: What if I wanted to change my username? In other words, I would be migrating my long-time username's account, and the new computer would NOT have any username on it already...... but say I decided I just want a different username this time.

Would I then just enter the new username when I do Setup Assistant, and since there was not already a username or account on the new computer it would make that new name the 501 UID but with all the information from the account I'm bringing over? Ha, I kind of wanted to change my Username ten years ago when I got this computer but I was too afraid it would mess something up. (Yes, I'm one of those people with two Apple ID's that Apple cannot merge - different subject, same concept of it gets screwed up and is hard to fix.)

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

You're posting all over the place about this.
Don't make it so difficult.

As Waff suggests, get an external drive if you have one.
Create a backup on it.
Time machine, actually SuperDuper would be as good or better (it's also free to use for this).

Then connect the backup to the new Mac.
(if you already keep a backup, use that. Run it "one last time" before you connect it to the new Mac.)

IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT
DON'T boot the new Mac for the first time UNTIL you have the backup connected.

Otherwise, you may have problems with two user accounts instead of one.

I would recommend AGAINST trying to connect the two Macs together.
REASON WHY:
It's just introducing "one more thing that can go wrong" on you.

Using a backup drive is easier.

 

[Miss Terri]

OP:

You're posting all over the place about this.
Don't make it so difficult.

Not sure I understand. I'm posting in a "Mac Basics Help" sub-forum on a Mac forum. Is this topic too basic? Not basic enough? Not "Mac-y" enough? What is "all over the place." I mean, there are like 12 threads about how blue the new Sky Blue color is or isn't; but this thread is somehow too trivial?

The people in the thread I linked just above sounded pretty sharp, and even they were having a discussion about it. I also (just last night) found a few more threads here that I didn't find before. (Sometimes it takes a while to land on the best search terms.) There was plenty of discussion. Messed up UID's causing permissions problems, people trying to figure out how to re-name, etc.

How am I making it difficult? I'm going to guess because I'm not one to just go in, poke around, have a problem, and then try to fix it (or at least I prefer to avoid that). Some people work best that way. That's great. Others don't. I'm one of the latter.

IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT
DON'T boot the new Mac for the first time UNTIL you have the backup connected.

Otherwise, you may have problems with two user accounts instead of one.

I would recommend AGAINST trying to connect the two Macs together.
REASON WHY:
It's just introducing "one more thing that can go wrong" on you.

Using a backup drive is easier.

Now your IMPORTANT, IMPORTANT part is one of the reasons I started this thread. I had read you saying it here on Macrumors to someone else in another thread. But then Apple makes no mention at all that your disc or donor computer has to (or even should) be plugged into the new computer before you start it up. When I see contradicting important things, I want to understand them -- so I can figure out which way I want to go about it. (Not that I think Apple is always right; sometimes they're not, or sometimes there is a better way; but your IMPORTANT part had already caught my eye before.)

Also: Apple themselves say Setup Assistant is still available (or was, when they wrote this article for Mac Sequoia computers):

Setup Assistant makes setting up your MacBook Pro easy and shouldn’t take too long to complete. If you choose to transfer data, however, set aside additional time.

Set up your MacBook Pro for current Mac users

Walk through how to use Setup Assistant to set up your MacBook Pro for current Mac users.

support.apple.com

What I have now figured out -- from this thread, reading other threads, from finally remembering what I knew ten years ago, LOL, and from Apple articles is this:

1) Setup Assistant will run when you are on a new (or "nuked" back to new) computer with no existing user accounts on it. Then when you move your account over it will be UID 501 and there won't be any conflicts (such as if you had already signed into the new Mac with the same user name as you are trying to move over).

2) That leads into the migration process. (You do launch Migration Assistant on the donor mac, if you are using a donor mac vs. the donor Mac's backup disc. Or put the donor Mac in Target Disc mode. Or use a backup drive from the donor Mac.)

OR, if you have already been using the new Mac and you don't want to "nuke" it back to as-new, then you use Migration Assistant (there will be no Setup Assistant available to you at that point), but there could be potential issues with duplicate user names, or your previous UID 501 account becoming a UID 502 account on the new computer (which may or may not cause permissions issues with backups or etc.).

****
The one difference I seemed to note about using Setup Assistant (brand new Mac) is that Apple only say that you need to have NOT gone as far as (or past) the stage where you make a User Name on the new computer (but according to them you could have opened the lid and turned it on already); whereas you say to NOT even open the lid before connecting the donor data with a cable. I have not fully grasped which one is right or if both are equally good. But I wasn't going to ask again! (Except okay, you posted to let me know your feelings so I'm responding now.)

****

I will note that this issue HAS burned me in the past, and it took me a while to figure out how to fix it (hours of forum searching, asking questions, etc. - tho I did get it in the end). When I started this thread I was "rusty," because the last time I did this was ten years ago! Plus I figured some things might have changed due to M series Mac, Sequoia being much newer, apparently there is a big change in how Apple now manages system data, no more HFS, etc. Oh and confusing Thunderbolt cable numbers (figured that out now).

I guess I don't understand why you are bothered by my posting (?).

PS: I can see you probably have plenty of Mac info that aligns exactly with what I would like to do (but is hard to figure out). e.g. I have an old iPhoto database (from back when I trusted such things) and have been trying to figure out how to get the photos OUT of there and just into a folder and file structure on my computer. So far I haven't figured out the method, so have no access to all my photos from years and years of my life. (Now when I put photos on my computer I use Image Capture and make them regular files; if I ever get the iPhoto thing figured out I think I would start using Photos but would NOT let it have the only copy of my photos!)

Now I'm kind of afraid to even ask about it (would not be in this thread in any case). Even though there is a thread that is SO CLOSE going on right now.

 

[snipr125]

Miss Terri, how did the process go? I am looking to do exactly the same thing, although for me will be either a M4 MBA or the M4 Mac Mini.

 

[Bigwaff]

See 2nd post of this thread. It really is that easy.

 

[Miss Terri]

Miss Terri, how did the process go? I am looking to do exactly the same thing, although for me will be either a M4 MBA or the M4 Mac Mini.

Hi snipr125,

I don't have any experience to share yet. First, I'm still waffling between blue and silver (I know, sad!) Then I "got into" figuring out what sort of backup drives/system I'm going to use for a new computer. I see it's a whole new world now with APFS (or do I stick with good old HFS+), non-bootable drives, etc. So I have to get those ducks in a row. Mostly I'm being silly and waffling on color (so superficial!).

I had my old system down so well, too.

I do now think it's going to be doable, as mentioned above. The one potential gotcha that I had to refresh my memory on, is.... don't start using the new computer and put a user on it, because then when you migrate it can be awkward. Or if you do (say you want to test the new computer) you can "nuke" it back to brand new and then it will be like you have no existing user (I can look those instructions up if you need them -- or maybe that's simple on a new Mac).

I'm sorry I don't have better info to report yet.

 

[snipr125]

No worries i cant make my mind up either between M4 mba, mac mini or even imac to replace my aging 2015 mbp which works fine, its just a bit slow and battery is not great.

Im just concerned if there will be any issues in the data transfer process from intel to apple silicon, and also the New User issue you mentioned, which i have read in other threads also.

 

[Bigwaff]

No worries i cant make my mind up either between M4 mba, mac mini or even imac to replace my aging 2015 mbp which works fine, its just a bit slow and battery is not great.

Im just concerned if there will be any issues in the data transfer process from intel to apple silicon, and also the New User issue you mentioned, which i have read in other threads also.

There should be no issue with the data transfer. If you choose to create a New User before migrating data, you can always run Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Contents and Settings. This will reset the device to like-new and you will be prompted to go through the initial set up again, at which time you can choose to use a Time Machine back up to transfer the existing user and user data. Again, see 2nd post of this thread. It really is that easy.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Once again...
Stop "agonizing" over the migration.
Just DO it.
(nothing more to say)

 

[Miss Terri]

OP:

Once again...
Stop "agonizing" over the migration.
Just DO it.
(nothing more to say)

@Fishrrman,

I'm not agonizing, but thank you for your concern over my wellbeing.

That said, I don't know of any way to "Just DO it" when I haven't purchased the computer yet. (As mentioned in the first post, I'm researching in advance so I can order everything I need at the same time.)

@snipr125
Once I did a little more research (I did link a couple of threads above), I refreshed my memory on the UID issue. First, it may not even be an issue, but it's possible that it would be (permissions, etc.). So I choose to avoid it. Also, if you already have "your" user name on the new computer, then you move stuff over, it will make you a new user name (since "your" one is already in use) and that will be user name2. I found this out the hard way back in 2010 and didn't really want to be "me2."

But it's easily avoided. Either don't do anything with the new computer ahead of moving (so you just turn it on for the first time, then follow prompts for plugging in your backup drive or your other computer -- this happens BEFORE you make a user name, and is called Setup Assistant).

Or, if you had for some reason already used the computer (maybe you wanted to check it out) -- even if you chose a diffferent user name to avoid the user name2 scenario -- just "nuke" it back to like new (I remember this being a little more complicated on my older computers, but going by post #16 just above it's easier now). You will know you were successful if, when you open the lid, it gives you the "Hello" in all the languages just like when it was new.

This avoids either the "user name2" or "some other user name was already the first user name on this computer" scenario. The possible conflict is that whatever the first user name is on the new computer will always get assigned to UID 501 (the one after that is UID 502, etc.). So then presuming you were the primary/first user on your old computer, that would be UID 501 but your same "self" on the new computer (if you already had a username on it) would be UID 502. Apparently this can occassionally cause permissions issues because you have two different UID numbers for the same data (the data from your old drive/backup drives/the same data on your new computer).

Now I can already hear some other posters saying "Oh don't worry about this." Fair enough, maybe permissions problems are exceedingly rare. But I'd just prefer that both my old and new user name be UID 501, because that can't cause a problem, and it's easy enough to make sure it goes that way.

I had forgotten all this when I first posted the thread, but while the thread was ongoing I got back up to speed on it. Also I realized that Setup Assistant (the one that comes up when computer is brand new) always leads into Migration Assistant; but Migration Assistant can later stand alone also (sans Setup Assistant).

So if I can ever decide on a color (ha ha, so superficial), and once I figure out my backup scheme, I should be good to go. Now reading up on the difference between HFS+ and AFPS and which one do I want to use. Also looks like my current scheme of 2 backup drives with Time Machine (one offsite) and 2 backup drives with Super Duper bootable clones (one offsite) might need some tweaking. Looks like the bootable backup concept is either gone or about to be gone. So far (knock on metallic silver), the 2015 is hanging in there, so I have some breathing room to get my ducks in a row.