Transfering data to new MacBook Air - how?!

[Mildredop]

Get an external SSD.

No idea why I didn't think of this. Thank you.

 

[Mildredop]

I was bewildered that OP has done some research and didn't come across migration assistant, and then I bunch of answered came without mentioning it. I assumed that's the first option people consider. I thought I must have misunderstood something.

I avoid migration assistant. Did it once (many years ago) and it really screwed up. I like to take the opportunity to have a clear-out of old files etc.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

If I'm transferring about 200GB data, won't this take an age?

A few hours. Certainly worth not having to spend $100+ on cabling you’ll only use once.

 

[h.gilbert]

Get a large 1 or 2TB external SSD. Samsung T7 shield is recommended, they're like £70 on Amazon last time I checked. Sandisk stuff not so much especially after recent news of some of them losing data. Those drives run about 800MB/s so 200GB of data should only take a few minutes. Then in the future use that SSD for Time Machine backups which you should be doing anyway as a basic precaution.

I too like to set up each new mac from scratch, just transferring over files manually. Part of it because I like the feeling of starting fresh, part of it because I also think using migration assistant might bring over some random left behind files and empty directories.

 

[TechnoMonk]

I always copy from backup. It’s good to have backup, and easier to move files around with new computer.

 

[mpetrides]

I chose a clean, manual install copying my stuff from my 2017 Air to a M2 Mini. Could have gone to Time Machine or Migration Assistant, but I also didn't want to accidentally 'import' any old issues into the new machine.

Had manual backups on an external drive of my Docs, Photos, Movies, etc (none of which I kept in Apple's proprietary apps on my Air, but rather, in personal folders in my User Folder), while a folder also existed there for software and their various activation codes. Simply copied the personal folders to same location on M2, and did gentle installs of apps I needed - some of which I discovered wouldn't install on Ventura (from Monterey). Good to know which ones as I went along. Later sought out newer versions.

Signed into my Accounts for Mail and everything showed up there, too.

Might have taken longer than with either Time Machine or Migration Assistant, but I've also had no issues with any of the apps or files.

No reason similar actions wouldn't work for you.

I agree. I tend to prefer to do a clean install on a new Mac to avoid bringing over any cruft from my old Mac.

 

[Alex Cai]

Airdrop the whole desktop
you might need to wait a few hours

 

[Mildredop]

But why can't I use USB-C? I've got loads of those cables and both Macs have USB-C ports.

 

[ab22]

>>... even 'USB-C charge' cables will often work for data, albeit not necessarily at the high >>speeds of a Thunderbolt connection. Try what you have & see

 

[Mildredop]

>>... even 'USB-C charge' cables will often work for data, albeit not necessarily at the high >>speeds of a Thunderbolt connection. Try what you have & see

I have tried with several USB cables but I can't transfer anything. Start up one in taget disk mode and it just doesn't then show up on the other.

 

[jlc1978]

I have tried with several USB cables but I can't transfer anything. Start up one in taget disk mode and it just doesn't then show up on the other.

Have you tried the USB-C charging cable that came with the MacBook?

 

[Mildredop]

Have you tried the USB-C charging cable that came with the MacBook?

I think so (difficult to know which one it actually is amongst all my other USB-C cables, and the new MacBook came with a USB-C to magsafe).

 

[Chancha]

Migration Assistant does allow you to (somewhat) selectively copy only a portion of old data over. You can easily google screenshots or even videos of people doing it, so you got a better idea of how much customization it does.

If you need even finer control, then you can always do network transfer, maybe not via Air Drop like some suggested above, but enable SMB sharing on the old MBA, then use the new MBA to access the old drive like a network share, that way you can copy and & paste files in Finder as if it was an external drive attached to your new MBA.

The cabling solutions work but only if you know what you are doing, and having the right cable. The simplest is to use a USB type-A to type-C but then 99% of such cables are only for charging (thus at USB2.0 speed). Then the TB3 to TB2 dongle + TB2 cable combo also works, but obviously it is too costly for your single-use purpose. I agree with the others' assessment above, just use network, cables are for people who really need the speed, or they already have these around so not need to buy.

 

[arcite]

Air drop is the way to go. So easy. Bonus , you can do your data transfers in tranches.

 

[genexx]

Spending 1-2K on an MBA and not having a Backup Drive for TM seems weird and if using the Migration Assistant you can choose also what parts of the Backup you want to import.

Also you are able to connect your older Mac in Disk Target Mode to the new Mac.

If you want to have a fresh System you can decide to not import the user, but for being able to have access to your imported files you have to generate an exact same User with also the Short Name Right ( Terminal Login ).

It is so easy.......

Or go CHOWN....... for file Rights after Importing......

You can also just use Migration Assistant and having both Mac in the same LAN.....