Transfer Files from 2011 MBA to 2016 MBP

[Ste87]

Hi guys,

I've searched a lot on Google and on the forums but can't seem to find the definitive answer.

I just got a 2016 MBP after having a mid-2011 MBA (with the first Thurnderbolt port). I need to transfer a substantial amount of data from the MBA and I'm looking for a cable or adapter to complete the task.

Should I get a simple USB-C to USB-A cable, or would it be beneficial and faster to use a Thunderbolt to USB-C cable/adapter?

 

[thats all folks]

USB wont work, Thunderbolt 2 to 3 is probably the best. for a one time transfer, dumping to an external drive (do you have a Time Machine backup?) might be the simplest, rather than buying a cable that you might only use once.

 

[Weaselboy]

USB to USB direct like that won't work. TB would by far be the fastest, but it will be spendy. You will need the Apple Thunderbolt to USB-C adaptor you mentioned then also a TB male to male cable to connect the adaptor to the MBA. I used this setup to migrate from my 2014 rMBP to my new 2016 MBP in target disk mode and it was very fast.

Edit: Ninja'd by a freakin' rabbit!

 

[Ste87]

Thanks for that. I really thought that USB-A to USB-C direct would work. Good thing I asked you first. As you said, to go the Thunderbolt route I'd have to buy adaptor and cable. Don't know if it's worth it for a one time transfer.

 

[Weaselboy]

Thanks for that. I really thought that USB-A to USB-C direct would work. Good thing I asked you first. As you said, to go the Thunderbolt route I'd have to buy adaptor and cable. Don't know if it's worth it for a one time transfer.

Probably not if you don't already have the cables otherwise (I did). Like the rabbit mentioned, if you backup to a USB3 drive, that will be pretty quick.

Next time around (next Mac) you will be able to use USB-C to USB-C though.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201462

 

[Ste87]

Would it work over and Ethernet cable?

 

[Weaselboy]

Would it work over and Ethernet cable?

Yes if you have the correct adaptors.

 

[Ste87]

Excellent, I just need a USB-C adaptor, which shouldn't be too expensive. Thank you very much for your help.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Buy the Thunderbolt cables from Apple and return them after. They didn't exactly make your life easy to do this transfer.

Another (free but time consuming option) would be Migration Assistant over Wi-Fi.

 

[thats all folks]

as mentioned above, Ethernet works (with more adapters) and WiFi works (but slowly). but every situation has it's own benefits and limits. are you looking to use Migration Assistant or just copy the files?

 

[CoastalOR]

Another option:
If you have a external USB 3 drive (they are not very expensive if you don't already have one), clone the mid-2011 MBA (use Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper!), connect the external drive to the 2016 MBP using a USB-C to USB-A adapter, and finally use Migration Assistant to migrate your data.

 

[Ste87]

The idea would be to just copy all files using target disk mode and maybe Migration Assistant for the Photos library and a few POP accounts archives. I already have the Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter for the MBA, so I would only need a USB-C to Ethernet adapter. They certainly don't make the transition very easy with these new machines.