Hi. I am getting a new M5 Pro MacBook. I currently have a 2015 MacBook Pro. What are some tips on how to sort out data and files on the old one before doing a transfer? Ideally, I don't want to migrate over duplicates, old files, old redundant downloads and apps. Also, any advice on how to best set up the new MacBook before the migration? Please feel free to ask any questions that help you give any tips and answers. Thank you!
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Migrating from a 2015 MacBook Pro to M5 Pro MacBook
- Thread starter bokkestu
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I would set up the new Mac from scratch and not do migration. That’s what I did when I got an M4 MacBook last year (or is it two years ago now?).
Whatever documents you absolutely need, I would just copy over manually via USB.
Whatever documents you absolutely need, I would just copy over manually via USB.
Interesting. So you save all the documents onto the USB and then as you need them bring them over. What if they are stored in iCloud?
You could bring over needed documents via iCloud Drive as well. In my case, I use iCloud almost exclusively for photos; I have few documents saved on it.
How do I prevent all the icloud docs etc being uploaded when I connect icloud to the new macbook?
You mean how to prevent downloading of iCloud documents on your new Mac?
Basically, don’t do this: https://support.apple.com/en-us/118443
And if iCloud Drive is active, deactivate it in settings.
Fishrrman
macrumors Nehalem
Migrations using setup assistant or migration assistant won't migrate "System" files. The old System files stay where they are (on the old MacBook).
That said, if you were to use setup assistant to migrate from a backup when you first power on the new MBP, you wouldn't be able to "pick and choose" what gets migrated from old to new -- it's pretty much "everything" in each respective category.
So... as was suggested above... you MIGHT consider doing a "new setup by hand", and "manually migrate" the files and apps you want on the new one. There's something to be said about "starting fresh".
However, there are considerations. Not difficult to overcome, but you still have to deal with them.
The biggest one is "permissions". Even if you set the new one up with the same username and password as the old one, your "new" account WILL NOT see stuff created in your old account "as being yours". Instead, old files will be seen as "alien". Until you fix that.
Here's my suggestion as how to do it.
You'll need an external backup drive.
A time machine backup probably won't work for this (I've never used tm, so I don't know).
BUT... a cloned backup created with either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper WILL do what you need. Both CCC and SC are free to download and use for 30 days, you can create a cloned backup and it will cost you NOTHING to do so.
You can mount a cloned backup right "in the finder, on the desktop" like any other drive, and copy files from it, like any other drive (once permissions are taken care of, keep reading).
Once the new MBP has been set up with your new account, connect the cloned backup from the OLD Mac.
Let its icon mount on the desktop. DO NOT "open the icon" yet.
Click on the icon ONE time to select it, then bring up the get info box for it (type command-i).
At the bottom of get info, click the lock icon and enter the password you're using on the NEW MBP.
Put a checkmark into "ignore owership on this volume" (sharing and permissions).
Close get info.
Now you can copy just about anything from the backup drive, and whatever you copy to the new MBP will "fall under the ownership" of your NEW account. Very quick and easy trick.
An IMPORTANT consideration about copying things from the old home folder to the new one.
Even with the permissions trick above, you CANNOT COPY "the top level of folders" from your old account to the new one.
By "top level" I mean the folders named documents, movies, music, pictures, etc.
HOWEVER... you CAN COPY folders and files that are INSIDE OF the top level folders, such as the Photos library, etc.
Some 3rd party apps can be copied right from the backup to the new Mac.
Some can't.
Some will need upgrades.
It will be up to you to determine what works and what doesn't.
It's possible to copy over preferences and support files from one home folder to another.
BUT... I recommend that you keep a pencil and paper handy to keep notes on "what gets moved where".
And... keep the old MBP up-and-running for a week or two after the new one arrives. That way you have the old one to fall back on, if you get "plugged up" on something with the new one. It's always good to "keep a spare" around... even if it's an old one...
That said, if you were to use setup assistant to migrate from a backup when you first power on the new MBP, you wouldn't be able to "pick and choose" what gets migrated from old to new -- it's pretty much "everything" in each respective category.
So... as was suggested above... you MIGHT consider doing a "new setup by hand", and "manually migrate" the files and apps you want on the new one. There's something to be said about "starting fresh".
However, there are considerations. Not difficult to overcome, but you still have to deal with them.
The biggest one is "permissions". Even if you set the new one up with the same username and password as the old one, your "new" account WILL NOT see stuff created in your old account "as being yours". Instead, old files will be seen as "alien". Until you fix that.
Here's my suggestion as how to do it.
You'll need an external backup drive.
A time machine backup probably won't work for this (I've never used tm, so I don't know).
BUT... a cloned backup created with either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper WILL do what you need. Both CCC and SC are free to download and use for 30 days, you can create a cloned backup and it will cost you NOTHING to do so.
You can mount a cloned backup right "in the finder, on the desktop" like any other drive, and copy files from it, like any other drive (once permissions are taken care of, keep reading).
Once the new MBP has been set up with your new account, connect the cloned backup from the OLD Mac.
Let its icon mount on the desktop. DO NOT "open the icon" yet.
Click on the icon ONE time to select it, then bring up the get info box for it (type command-i).
At the bottom of get info, click the lock icon and enter the password you're using on the NEW MBP.
Put a checkmark into "ignore owership on this volume" (sharing and permissions).
Close get info.
Now you can copy just about anything from the backup drive, and whatever you copy to the new MBP will "fall under the ownership" of your NEW account. Very quick and easy trick.
An IMPORTANT consideration about copying things from the old home folder to the new one.
Even with the permissions trick above, you CANNOT COPY "the top level of folders" from your old account to the new one.
By "top level" I mean the folders named documents, movies, music, pictures, etc.
HOWEVER... you CAN COPY folders and files that are INSIDE OF the top level folders, such as the Photos library, etc.
Some 3rd party apps can be copied right from the backup to the new Mac.
Some can't.
Some will need upgrades.
It will be up to you to determine what works and what doesn't.
It's possible to copy over preferences and support files from one home folder to another.
BUT... I recommend that you keep a pencil and paper handy to keep notes on "what gets moved where".
And... keep the old MBP up-and-running for a week or two after the new one arrives. That way you have the old one to fall back on, if you get "plugged up" on something with the new one. It's always good to "keep a spare" around... even if it's an old one...
Last edited:
MacCheetah3
macrumors 68040
Doing a "house cleaning" on your current (i.e., MBP 2015) is a very good idea. Look through and, as desired, trash/delete items you know you no longer need or want. Of course, you can re-organize along the way as well. Documents, Mail, iTunes/Music, Photos, etc.
Install/Download (the current version of) apps if at all feasible. If you need help recalling who the developer/publisher of the software is, which makes it easier to narrow the correct release (i.e., not falling prey to apps with the same name) and legit Web sites/domains, get info on the app and look for the copyright info/attribute.
For most software, you can note the registration key via the About section or similar. And most files related to an app are typically stored independently. Even apps with "libraries" such as Photos, iMovie, and Final Cut Pro are decently easy to find and often just require a double-click to re-import them to the associated app. However, some software has embedded/integrated or otherwise very 'internal' storage systems. As macOS has gained features, capabilities, and whatnot, the sprawl of application support files has widened significantly. Decades ago, it was mostly a PLIST file in the Preferences folder. Mac OS X added areas like a dedicated Application Support folder for associated files beyond presence. Then things spread to containers. Recently, I learned there are also (now) group containers. Basically, a lot of places for files to hide. The app I am referencing and the only one I had any notable difficulty (i.e., exhausting research, trial and error copy-and-pasting) transferring data from was coconutBattery.
Beyond applications, you will need to reconfigure some system level preferences (e.g., Desktop wallpaper, screen saver, display sleep timeout), configure third-party email services, pair BT devices, go through the permission notifications, and app notification permissions dialogs again.
Overall, it is a much more tedious process, but for the most part, should not be more than nuisance tedious. Although, as I mentioned, you may come across some frustrating barriers.
When you set up your new Mac as 'new'/'fresh' (i.e., skip automatic/assisted migration), you can, and typically should, still sign into your Apple Account/ID during the initial setup process. By doing so, iCloud Drive, Mail (i.e., for your Apple Account email address) are enabled and configured, your Apple Account is automatically signed into apps like App Store, Music, TV, Podcasts, etc. In other words, when you get to the Desktop, even on a freshly set up Mac, iCloud Drive will appear in the Finder (window) sidebar as usual with whatever content has been there.
There are several ways. If you keep your old Mac active until you've fully configured it, there will be multiple paths. You can manually move files onto a USB drive, then from the USB drive to the new Mac. You can use an app to generate a cloned version of your previous/old Mac, then copy files from that USB drive. And/or you can use AirDrop, which would be available after signing in (as noted earlier) to the new Mac with the same Apple Account/ID.
I used a combination of the three. And still had the previous/other Mac active, so fairly easy referencing.
P.S.
I used SuperDuper, and this attribute was already enabled following a successful clone. I do not know if SD automatically toggles the attribute. I bring it up simply to point out that it may just need verification of being enabled.
Ben J.
macrumors 65816
I completely disagree with most if not all of the suggestions above. There is no reason to make it more difficult than it needs to be.
1. There is no reason not to use the option to migrate everything including apps, settings and files. Everything will look familiar, all passwords, logins, bookmarks, licenses etc will be right there. Some apps may need updating, a couple of kexts will require re-enabling, but you will save hours of work.
When you get to the "Do you want to migrate…" on first run, boot your 2015 mac in disk target mode, and plug it in to your new mac. Migration assistant will see it and offer to migrate.
2. Tidying up and getting rid of files, and then transferring and creating a backup is completely back assward. Transfer everything, set up a backup scheme on the new mac, do a backup, and then start tidying up.
Should something not work out, you can simply do a 'erase this mac' from system settings, and try again.
Fishrrman
macrumors Nehalem
Ben, the reason I posted what I did above was because the OP seems committed to doing a "custom" migration.
I agree pretty much with what you said above about using setup/migration assistant during intial setup.
However, depending on the age of the apps the OP is using, he might migrate everything except apps, and then bring them in "a little at a time", to see what works and what doesn't.
The reason I recommend migrating from an external backup is because direct connections and/or wifi don't always go as smoothly as intended. The use of an external drive removes these factors "from the migration equation"...
I agree pretty much with what you said above about using setup/migration assistant during intial setup.
However, depending on the age of the apps the OP is using, he might migrate everything except apps, and then bring them in "a little at a time", to see what works and what doesn't.
The reason I recommend migrating from an external backup is because direct connections and/or wifi don't always go as smoothly as intended. The use of an external drive removes these factors "from the migration equation"...
ledzeppelin
macrumors member
Im interested in this thread, because I will be purchasing a new MBP real soon. When I figure out specs I want.
I am like many others wanting to future proof myself.
I have a 2016 MBP 13-inch. 16 Gig ram. (smiles)
I think they said that when store does it, or Apple, that they replace the logic board with battery.
Needs a new battery but local Apple Store says it is no longer supported and store could not replace battery. I waited about a year too long to get battery replaced evidently. But I could call into phone support and they "might" be able to get battery replaced.
Anyway, so Ive decided it is probably best to just replace it at this time rather than 3-4 hundred and still be end of life as far as apple is concerned.with just security updates for a while.
(I need to update my sig. info I can see, lol)
I am like many others wanting to future proof myself.
I have a 2016 MBP 13-inch. 16 Gig ram. (smiles)
I think they said that when store does it, or Apple, that they replace the logic board with battery.
Needs a new battery but local Apple Store says it is no longer supported and store could not replace battery. I waited about a year too long to get battery replaced evidently. But I could call into phone support and they "might" be able to get battery replaced.
Anyway, so Ive decided it is probably best to just replace it at this time rather than 3-4 hundred and still be end of life as far as apple is concerned.with just security updates for a while.
(I need to update my sig. info I can see, lol)
snipr125
macrumors 68030
I did the same as the OP, brought a MBA M5 to replace my 2015 MBP 13". I thought there would be issues migrating from an old Intel Mac to a new Apple silicon Mac. Migration Assistant worked like a dream, transferred everything like for like in about 1 hour. I then started cleaning up on the new MBA like updating Intel Apps to AS, deleting old files etc. I just like to keep things as simple as possible.
one thing that saved me a lot of pain when I set up my current 16-inch — spend a couple hours on the old machine first with DaisyDisk or Grand Perspective and just clear the top-10 space offenders. Old Xcode caches, forgotten VM images, iPhone backups from three phones ago; that stuff loves to hide in ~/Library and Migration Assistant will happily bring all of it across.
For the iCloud question: sign in on the new Mac but before turning on iCloud Drive, go into System Settings > Apple Account > iCloud > Drive > Options and turn OFF 'Desktop & Documents Folders' first, then enable Drive. That stops it from dumping years of Documents onto the fresh SSD, and you can flip it back on later if you actually want that sync.
For the iCloud question: sign in on the new Mac but before turning on iCloud Drive, go into System Settings > Apple Account > iCloud > Drive > Options and turn OFF 'Desktop & Documents Folders' first, then enable Drive. That stops it from dumping years of Documents onto the fresh SSD, and you can flip it back on later if you actually want that sync.
Alameda
Contributor
I
I think everybody gets a little skittish about migrating to a new system, especially because most of us do it so rarely.
MacOS migration tools work incredibly well. Just use an external hard disk as a Time Machine, backup your whole Mac to Time Machine, and then use Migration Assistant to use your Time Machine backup.
Here’s the thing: Your old Mac will remain untouched, and you can always erase your new Mac and start over… but you won’t need to. MacOS today boots up from signed, non-changeable files. It is extremely secure and robust. It’s not like the old systems, where it could become corrupted by a bad file.
I second using Carbon copy Cloner do an ext drive and then using it as source for migrating with migration assistant on the new one. I'm using that when moving my Clients to Apple silicons from old intels retinas/airs. Those are usualy machines bought from me prior so they have nvme drives. Its easy to pull them out, place in a docking station and start the assistant.
I would also advocate "tidying up" your old machine before Migrating everything over.
Keeping files in good order is imperative to avoid duplicates, and so that you know where everything is. Ask yourself "where is the one place that this file should be?" when saving it; and then do the same when looking for it.
Keeping files in good order is imperative to avoid duplicates, and so that you know where everything is. Ask yourself "where is the one place that this file should be?" when saving it; and then do the same when looking for it.