What type of cable connectors to use in transferring from iMac to iMac?

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What type of cable connectors to use in transferring from iMac to iMac?

I am about to transfer all content from an older iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, late 2014) to the new 27" model iMac. I want to do this via cable connection, as opposed to via Time Machine. Can you please suggest what type of cable connectors to use? My older iMac has ports for USB 3, Thunderbolt 2 and Gigabit Ethernet. The new iMac has ports for USB-A, Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) and Gigabit Ethernet. It seems I will need a cable with different type connectors at each end.

On Amazon I see there are cables with different connector types, some cables come with adapters, other cables are not compatible with Catalina, etc, etc. This should be simple, but I am confused. Can you please suggest what type of cable connectors to use, and do they need some sort of adapter?

I am using Catalina 10.15.6 on my old iMac.

Thank you,

HDP

Posted on Sep 5, 2020 4:18 PM

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Answer 1

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MrHoffman

Community+ 2024

Level 10

124,687 points

Sep 5, 2020 5:19 PM in response to HDP

Here is How to move your content to a new Mac - Apple Support

From Time Machine.
From an external disk clone.
Via Wi-Fi
Ethernet wired
Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter, and a (not-USB-C) Thunderbolt cable, here.

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Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

143,392 points

Sep 5, 2020 4:58 PM in response to HDP

You ar e trying to do it incorrectly! Connect the old Macs Time Machine External Hard Disk to the newMac with a USB cable. If you have not turned on the new Mac yet it will launch Setup Assistant, SA will get to a point that asks if you are migrating from another Mac, select YES. If you have already started the newMac, make the same connection and launch Migration Assistant.

This is the fastest and most reliable method!!!!!!

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What type of cable connectors to use in transferring from iMac to iMac?

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