migration Assistant won't transfer data between mid-2012 MacBook air running catalina and 2019 MacBook air

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Level 1

69 points

migration Assistant won't transfer data between mid-2012 MacBook air running catalina and 2019 MacBook air

I replaced my wife's mid-2012 MacBook Air with a 2019 MacBook Air. Both are running Catalina and there are no additional system upgrades available. When trying to use Migration Assistant, the 2019 can see the 2012 as a source in Migration Assistant. However, there is the yellow triangle with exclamation point. It says it can not be used as a source. "Ineligible - OS X upgrade required".

Can I get around this? Can I link in Target mode? Ports on each computer don't match to get a cable. Any help?

Thanks.

MacBook Air

Posted on Dec 20, 2019 6:49 PM

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Answer 1

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mtalio Author

Level 1

69 points

Dec 23, 2019 2:49 PM in response to brenden dv

I solved this problem. I discovered that it wasn't the 2012 MacBook Air that was unusable as a source. It was, after all, updated. I realized, however, that the 2019 Air did not come with Catalina installed. Thus, I was receiving the message that an osX update was needed...on the new computer. Once that was done, I was able to link the two computers wirelessly using Migration Assistant and everything worked beautifully.

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Answer 2

brenden dv

Community Specialist

Dec 23, 2019 12:12 PM in response to mtalio

Hello, mtalio.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

From what I understand is that you're unable to get Migration Assistant to work. Check out this article which has some steps to check in order to make sure both computers can be used: How to move your content to a new Mac

If you're still unable to do so, in the same article there are some additional options to get your data over including Target Disk Mode: Use target disk mode to move files to another computer

Cheers!

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Answer 3

CarlAVII

Community Specialist

Dec 23, 2019 4:35 PM in response to mtalio

Hello, mtalio.

Glad to hear that you were able to resolve the issue and thank you for sharing what the solution was. Reach back out here in Communities if you need help with anything else.

Cheers!

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Answer 4

Jan 4, 2020 10:05 AM in response to mtalio

Thank you malik for taking time to share the solution. I'm having the same problem with migration; read your discovery about the needed upgrade on the new Mac. Much appreciated!

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migration Assistant won't transfer data between mid-2012 MacBook air running catalina and 2019 MacBook air

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