Use AirDrop to transfer files to new Mac?

[AMSOS]

Hi. I am trying to figure out the best way to transfer my files and documents from an older (Air 2017) to a new M1 Mac I've just got.
I don't yet have the USB hub, so I can't use my old external drives to get the files.
I have mostly gone for a fresh install. That means I've re-downloaded applications on the new Mac.
I just need to transfer old MS Office files, some films and music, and some HEIC and JPEGs.
I understand Migration Assistant will let me do this automatically. But how about transfer several folders in one go using AirDrop over Wi-Fi? That way I can also clean out the older machine and transfer only those files and folders that I really need.
There isn't too much data that I will need to sort through, so I think it won't be much of a drag doing this manually.
Do let me know your thoughts about any risks associated with an AirDrop transfer of the entire HDD of my older computer.
Thanks!

 

[Fishrrman]

Use a USB flash drive.
That ALWAYS works.
Format the flash drive to HFS+ (Mac OS extended, journaling enabled, GUID partition format).

The flash drive will have a USBa plug.
The M1 Mac has USBc, right?
So... get one of these:

Cable Matters 5Gbps USB C to USB 3.0 Adapter - 6 Inches, USBC Male to USBA Female OTG Adapter, Black

The Cable Matters USB 3.1 Type-C to Type-A adapter provides a convenient connection between the newest devices with USB Type-C and legacy USB peripherals with Type A. It adapts the Type-C port on a computer to connect all legacy equipment, peripherals, cables, hubs and chargers that ...

www.amazon.com

(in fact, I suggest you get 2 or 3 of them, very useful to have spares)

Use the adapter to connect the flash drive to the MacBook.

Hmmm.... one other thing.
You need to take steps to avoid permissions problems between your old account and the new one (even if you used the same username and password, the OS will think the old Mac is "alien").

Easy.
Do this:
a. connect flashdrive and let icon mount on desktop
b. click ONE TIME on the icon to select it
c. bring up the "get info" box for the drive (command-i)
d. at the bottom of get info, click lock and enter your NEW password (the one you're using on the new Mac)
e. put a check into "ignore ownership on this volume" (sharing and permissions)
f. close get info.

Now you can copy whatever you wish from the flash drive to the new Mac, and whatever you copy will "fall under the ownership" of your NEW account.

Good luck.

 

[AMSOS]

Use a USB flash drive.
That ALWAYS works.
Format the flash drive to HFS+ (Mac OS extended, journaling enabled, GUID partition format).

Haha, you're so right. USBs are probably not as reliable in the long run. But it should be fine for this task.
But the thing is, if I have to get a connector or cables, then I might as well get the USB connector hub and use the Time Machine backups from my old computer.

Easy.
Do this:
a. connect flashdrive and let icon mount on desktop
b. click ONE TIME on the icon to select it
c. bring up the "get info" box for the drive (command-i)
d. at the bottom of get info, click lock and enter your NEW password (the one you're using on the new Mac)
e. put a check into "ignore ownership on this volume" (sharing and permissions)
f. close get info.

Now you can copy whatever you wish from the flash drive to the new Mac, and whatever you copy will "fall under the ownership" of your NEW account.

Good luck.

Thanks. I didn't know about this ownership issue. It's definitely a useful thing to know for the future.
For now, I might just go with using the Wi-Fi connection between my two computers, or use a USB hub.

 

[Tagbert]

Haha, you're so right. USBs are probably not as reliable in the long run. But it should be fine for this task.
But the thing is, if I have to get a connector or cables, then I might as well get the USB connector hub and use the Time Machine backups from my old computer.

Thanks. I didn't know about this ownership issue. It's definitely a useful thing to know for the future.
For now, I might just go with using the Wi-Fi connection between my two computers, or use a USB hub.

Then will you just use network sharing to make the files on the old machine visible to the new one and copy them over in Finder?

 

[AMSOS]

Then will you just use network sharing to make the files on the old machine visible to the new one and copy them over in Finder?

Not sure if what I have in mind is "network sharing." I checked to see if AirDrop transfers all files properly, and it does.
So, I am thinking of just taking a group of folders and files and AirDropping them over to the new Mac.
You think that's fine?
Fishrrman above talks about a change of ownership of the files while using a flash pen drive. Do I have to worry about all that if I use a direct WiFi connection to AirDrop files?
Thanks!

 

[Tagbert]

Not sure if what I have in mind is "network sharing." I checked to see if AirDrop transfers all files properly, and it does.
So, I am thinking of just taking a group of folders and files and AirDropping them over to the new Mac.
You think that's fine?
Fishrrman above talks about a change of ownership of the files while using a flash pen drive. Do I have to worry about all that if I use a direct WiFi connection to AirDrop files?
Thanks!

I suspect, but don’t know for sure. That if you are transferring the files via airdrop or network copy then the ownership will transfer to you. Best to just run a test.

I only suggested using network sharing as I am not sure about whether Airdrop is optimized to copy large numbers of files. If you can do it folder by folder and don’t have a huge number do copy then it might be the simplest. Otherwise network sharing is designed for that but take a little more setup.

 

[AMSOS]

I suspect, but don’t know for sure. That if you are transferring the files via airdrop or network copy then the ownership will transfer to you. Best to just run a test.

I only suggested using network sharing as I am not sure about whether Airdrop is optimized to copy large numbers of files. If you can do it folder by folder and don’t have a huge number do copy then it might be the simplest. Otherwise network sharing is designed for that but take a little more setup.

This helps, thanks. Can you share a link that shows how I can set up network sharing?

You know, I did test transferring a few files and folders. I noticed that the there was a bit of time gap the first time I clicked on a file. Perhaps this was Mac OS transferring ownership of the file? It all seems to work fine afterwards.

Yes, I think I can transfer these folders manually. It'll be a bit of a chore, but not too much of a bother.

The thing is I want to make sure that I don't run into any file or OS compatibility issues later on!

 

[Tagbert]

This helps, thanks. Can you share a link that shows how I can set up network sharing?

You know, I did test transferring a few files and folders. I noticed that the there was a bit of time gap the first time I clicked on a file. Perhaps this was Mac OS transferring ownership of the file? It all seems to work fine afterwards.

Yes, I think I can transfer these folders manually. It'll be a bit of a chore, but not too much of a bother.

The thing is I want to make sure that I don't run into any file or OS compatibility issues later on!

Set up file sharing on Mac

Share the files and folders on your Mac with others on your network. Share your entire Mac or allow specific users access to certain folders.

support.apple.com

 

[thebart]

Btw the mini has two USB A ports. You don't need any adapter. Any USB stick you have lying will do in a pinch to do file transfer. Depending on the stick, though, maybe faster to use air drop

 

[Tagbert]

Btw the mini has two USB A ports. You don't need any adapter. Any USB stick you have lying will do in a pinch to do file transfer. Depending on the stick, though, maybe faster to use air drop

Good old SneakerNet