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Use macOS Migration Assistant to move selected documents, apps, user accounts and settings from an old Mac to a new MacBook Air. You can start during the MacBook Air’s first-time setup or later in macOS, and choose the old Mac itself, a Time Machine backup or another disk as the source.
Choose when to migrate
If the MacBook Air is still in first-time setup, choose the option to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine backup or startup disk in Setup Assistant, then follow the prompts. If you have already finished setup, Migration Assistant can still transfer your information without starting over. Apple’s MacBook Air guide covers both routes: Migrate your data to your new MacBook Air.
On macOS versions covered by Apple’s current Mac Help guide, open System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Open Migration Assistant. You can also locate Migration Assistant with Spotlight; Apple’s general support instructions place it in Applications > Utilities. Labels can differ across macOS versions. See Apple’s Mac Help instructions.
Prepare both Macs
- Install available macOS updates on both computers. They do not have to run the same macOS version.
- Connect a portable Mac to power so it does not go to sleep during a long transfer.
- For wireless migration, turn on Wi-Fi, keep the Macs near each other and connect them to the same network, as specified in Apple’s MacBook Air guide.
- If antivirus, firewall or VPN software is installed, Apple advises temporarily turning it off during migration if it interferes with the transfer. Re-enable it when the process is complete.
These preparation steps are from Apple Support’s Migration Assistant instructions.
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- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Choose the source and connection
| Route | Use it when | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Old Mac over Wi-Fi | The old Mac is available and you prefer not to connect a cable. | Keep the Macs nearby and on the same Wi-Fi network. |
| Old Mac over a direct cable | You can connect the two Macs using compatible Thunderbolt or Ethernet hardware. | Apple says a direct Thunderbolt or Ethernet connection is often faster than wireless. No measured speed or guaranteed transfer time is published. Check both Mac models’ ports and cable compatibility. |
| Time Machine backup | You have a usable backup, or cannot access the old Mac directly. | Migration Assistant can use a backup as its source. Apple also says a backup can make file recovery possible if the old computer’s hard disk is damaged. |
| Startup disk or other storage | Your files are available on a startup disk or another supported storage device. | Select the available disk or device as the source when prompted. |
Apple lists Mac, Time Machine, startup disk and other storage sources in its MacBook Air migration guide and Mac Help guide. You do not need to buy a cable if you already have a suitable backup or plan to transfer wirelessly.
Transfer directly from the old Mac
- Open Migration Assistant on both Macs. On the new MacBook Air, choose the option to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine backup or startup disk. On the old Mac, choose the option to transfer information to another Mac.
- On the MacBook Air, select the old Mac when it appears. If prompted, check that the security code shown on both displays matches before continuing.
- Choose the information to transfer, review any account conflicts and start the migration.
Follow the prompts shown on each Mac; Apple documents the process in its Mac Help transfer instructions.
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- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Transfer from a Time Machine backup or disk
On the MacBook Air, open Migration Assistant—or select migration during initial setup—and choose the option to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine backup or startup disk. Select the backup, startup disk or other available storage source when it appears, then choose what to migrate. This route is useful when the old Mac is unavailable, including when its hard disk is damaged but a usable backup exists. Apple describes migration sources in its MacBook Air guide; its separate article explains restoring a Mac from a backup.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSelect the files, accounts and settings to move
Migration Assistant lets you select categories rather than requiring you to move everything. Apple’s current Mac Help guide lists these categories:
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- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
- Applications
- User Accounts
- Other Files & Folders
- Privacy & Security Settings
- System & Network
Expand a category to make more specific choices. Within a user account, for example, you may be able to select items such as Documents, Pictures, Movies, Desktop and Downloads. The available choices depend on the source and the information Migration Assistant finds.
Some apps may be incompatible with the new Mac or superseded by newer versions, so they may not transfer or may not work after migration. The migration summary reports issues Apple detects, such as incompatible software or documents that could not be transferred. See Apple’s category and summary details.
Rank #4
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Resolve a user-account name conflict
If an account on the MacBook Air already has the same name as an incoming account, Migration Assistant offers a choice: replace the account already on the new Mac, or rename the incoming account so both accounts remain available. Review that choice carefully before continuing, especially if the existing account on the MacBook Air contains information you want to keep.
Pay attention to password prompts during migration. If Migration Assistant provides a temporary password for a standard account, retain it so you can sign in and follow any prompts to set or confirm account credentials. Apple explains account handling in its Migration Assistant support article.
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- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 15.3-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
Wait for the transfer, then verify the result
Large migrations may take hours, and the progress display can appear to pause occasionally. Apple does not publish a typical duration or a guaranteed speed, so avoid interrupting a transfer just because progress is slow. When Migration Assistant finishes, close it and sign in to the migrated account.
- Open the migrated account and check that its expected desktop and key folders are present.
- Open essential documents and confirm that the files you rely on are accessible.
- Launch important apps to see whether they work on the new MacBook Air.
- Review Migration Assistant’s summary for reported items that did not transfer or may be incompatible.
Migration Assistant transfers data; it does not erase the source Mac or replace the new Mac’s operating system. If you plan to sell, trade in or give away the old Mac, first confirm that the information you need is on the MacBook Air, then follow Apple’s separate instructions for preparing the old Mac.
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