Time Machine Backup migration onto new MacBook Pro

Fox-Bravo-251 wrote:

I bought a new MacBook Pro, now on OSX Big Sur.

The migration of my old time machine backup onto the MacBook fails every time.

Time Machine HDD is recognised as Time Machine Backup (3 different backup dates available).

I launch the Migration Assistant (Command + R during booting) and select the option to migrate from a Time Machine. (Source: external HDD, WD My Passport, 2TB - always worked BTW)

I get the following error loop:

"You must use Migration Assistant to transfer data from this backup"

(Well, that's what I am doing, right?)

Then it tells me that I must re-install Mac OS Big Sur (which is already fully installed)

I did it anyway thinking that the installation via the step mentioned above will somehow transfer my old MacBook data, Apps, files and settings onto the new Mac.

(did that with my last 2 Macs and it always worked fine)

However, once Big Sure is re-installed (after hours of downloads), I get back to step 1:

"You must use Migration Assistant to transfer data from this backup"

Install Big Sure again...

Jeez, obviously this is a software error.

Does anyone have a solution?

Hardware: MacBookPro

Mac OS Big Sur 11.1

2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5

Memory 16GB

Storage 1TB

Time Machine:

WD My Passport, 2TB

USB connection,

latest backups are all done on Big Sur as well.

Thanks for your help!

Happy new year to you all!

Cheers, J

The most trouble free way to move to a new machine, is using the Setup Assistant on the initial boot— you have one shot here. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205749

If that opportunity has past, the second best way is use the Migration Assistant.

How to move your content to a new Mac https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204350

from the ref:

Start by going to applications, utility, migration assistant, not command-R