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Manually move files from one mac to another

T

TorontoSS

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 9, 2009
1,087
395
Hello - I’m getting a new MBA soon. I want to manually move my files from my old one to the new one. I have a new external drive which I’ll partition, part for storage, part for backups.

Am I correct to say this is the process:



1. Copy the folders from the MUSIC folder in the old macbook, put on external drive. This includes a music library and iTunes folder.
2. Copy the folders in the PICTURES folder in the old macbook and put on external drive.
3. Delete contents of MUSIC folder in new macbook.
4. Delete contents of PICTURES folder in new macbook.
5. Place MUSIC folder contents into new macbook from external drive
6. Place contents of pictures folder into the new macbook from external drive.

For documents, I can do that easily, it’s part of iCloud Drive anyway. But for the process above, is that fine for photos/videos and music? (I don’t have any movies or tv shows).

I know this is pretty basic. But when looking this up I couldn’t find concrete info on this.

Thanks!
 
Connect the old Mac music/video so connect via the quickest port in old Mac and use /Applications/Utilities/Migration Assistan.app! Run that on your new a Mac and put a check an ark in box to transfer music/videos/email only!
 
satcomer said:
Connect the old Mac music/video so connect via the quickest port in old Mac and use /Applications/Utilities/Migration Assistan.app! Run that on your new a Mac and put a check an ark in box to transfer music/videos/email only!
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. But I think this might get some of the junk i'm trying to avoid onto the new mac. right?
 
I've just recently tried this - moving files manually after a clean install of Catalina. It was a disaster! I first moved my Music folder complete. Catalina then tried to download all my music from iCloud. I ended up with many duplicates. So I gave that idea up and used Migration Assistant to do the work and now all is well.

I recommend Migration Assistant. I've haven't had the crashing problems I was experiencing prior to the clean install.
 
Nigel Goodman said:
I've just recently tried this - moving files manually after a clean install of Catalina. It was a disaster! I first moved my Music folder complete. Catalina then tried to download all my music from iCloud. I ended up with many duplicates. So I gave that idea up and used Migration Assistant to do the work and now all is well.

I recommend Migration Assistant. I've haven't had the crashing problems I was experiencing prior to the clean install.
Click to expand...

thanks that's really useful to know!
 
OP:
If all you're looking to do is migrate your personal data, settings, and apps from the old Mac to the new one, here's my [pre-written] guide:
=============================
Fishrrman's "you can do it!" routine for migrating to a new Mac:

If you follow my instructions below, I guarantee a success rate of 98%:
PRINT OUT these instructions and check them off as you go along.

1. BEFORE you do anything else, run a "final" backup on your old Mac. Use an external drive for this. It can be either TM or a cloned backup using CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper. I prefer CCC.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT USE TM AS YOUR "MIGRATION EXTERNAL DRIVE". INSTEAD, USE EITHER CCC OR SD. Things will go better this way!
2. Shut down the old Mac and disconnect the external drive
3. Take the new Mac out of the box and set it up on the table. DO NOT PRESS THE POWER ON BUTTON until step 8 (read on). You don't want to begin setup until "the right moment".
4. If you're using an external display, connect the display using the usb-c/VGA adapter/cable that you have
5. Connect the keyboard and mouse if you use them. I STRONGLY SUGGEST that you connect them DIRECTLY to the Mac.
6. If you use a hub, leave it DISCONNECTED for now
7. Connect your backup drive -- use a usb-c adapter if needed.

OK, we're ready-to-go, so let's get goin':
8. Press the power on button for the first time.
9. The new Mac may ask for help "finding" the keyboard, just follow instructions.
10. Begin setup. At the appropriate moment, setup assistant will ask if you wish to migrate from another Mac or drive. YES, you want to do this.
11. "Aim" setup assistant at the external backup. Setup assistant will need a little time to "digest it all". BE PATIENT and give setup assistant the time it needs.
12. You will now see a list of things that can be migrated, such as applications, accounts, settings and data.
13. I suggest that you select ALL of them.
14. Let setup assistant "do its thing". It's going to TAKE A WHILE to move things over. Again, be patient. If you have a lot "of stuff", it will take a lot of time!
15. When done, you should see the login screen. Go ahead and login.
16. Once logged in, things should look pretty much as they looked on your old Mac.
17. You should check all your apps. Some may not run, and may require upgrading.
18. You can set aside the old backup, or ... "repurpose it" to become the backup for the new Mac. I'd keep the old one around for a week or so, at least.
 
Thank you everyone for your responses here, I really appreciate everyone's views. I think it may be helpful if I explain what I'm trying to achieve and why I'm asking this.

I have a 256GB machine currently. This is an old MBP from late 2013. The Old Mac. I cleared it up recently. I have about 125GB free. However, I think there's unnecessary stuff in there. I have deleted old iOS backups, etc. But I only really have about 20GB of music and about 30GB of photos. 10 goes in the system and about 5 in applications for me. There's a lot in the "other folder" (I think music counts for a lot of this).

With this being said, I wanted to avoid the Migration assistant or Time Machine backup because I felt a lot of unnecessary stuff would come into my new mac. This is why I thought manually copying the Music and Music Folders would a good option. I am getting a new 256gb machine.

Given what i've said above, is migration assistant still the best option?
 
"With this being said, I wanted to avoid the Migration assistant or Time Machine backup because I felt a lot of unnecessary stuff would come into my new mac. This is why I thought manually copying the Music and Music Folders would a good option. I am getting a new 256gb machine."

You can be "selective" when using migration assistant during the initial setup procedure.
I believe there are checkboxes that will permit you to select which items in your home folder you want "brought over". The unchecked items get "left behind".

One advantage about using a cloned backup as your "migration drive" is you can "pick through it" just before you begin setting up the new Mac.
Doing so, you can throw out that stuff you KNOW you don't want brought over.
 
Fishrrman said:
"With this being said, I wanted to avoid the Migration assistant or Time Machine backup because I felt a lot of unnecessary stuff would come into my new mac. This is why I thought manually copying the Music and Music Folders would a good option. I am getting a new 256gb machine."

You can be "selective" when using migration assistant during the initial setup procedure.
I believe there are checkboxes that will permit you to select which items in your home folder you want "brought over". The unchecked items get "left behind".

One advantage about using a cloned backup as your "migration drive" is you can "pick through it" just before you begin setting up the new Mac.
Doing so, you can throw out that stuff you KNOW you don't want brought over.
Click to expand...

Today I noted that the Library folder in my username folder is huge. It's 99GB. This is the sort of stuff I don't want coming over. with migration assistant would this sort of stuff come over or just the music folder /photos folder and documents. That's all i really want.


Nigel Goodman said:
I've just recently tried this - moving files manually after a clean install of Catalina. It was a disaster! I first moved my Music folder complete. Catalina then tried to download all my music from iCloud. I ended up with many duplicates. So I gave that idea up and used Migration Assistant to do the work and now all is well.

I recommend Migration Assistant. I've haven't had the crashing problems I was experiencing prior to the clean install.
Click to expand...

Did you move what was INSIDE the music folder or your whole music folder?
 
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