Migration assistant

TXDalGal Said:

"Migration assistant: My new MacBook Pro doesn’t recognize my old MacBook Pro even though they are on the same WiFi network and connected by a cable"

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Troubleshooting Migration Assistant:

Start with a macOS Updates and Restarts:

Update to the most recent compatible macOS Versions. Then, restart them. Proceed from there.

Updating the macOS:

Determining which Update(s) will Install:

I. Verify Compatibility:

A. Start Here: Learn About Compatibility and how to Identify your Specific Mac Model - Apple Support

B. How to Verify:

I Reveal your Model:

What is the Model of your Mac? To find out...

1. Go to: Apple menu
2. Click: About this Mac
3. View: Second Line-Down

then...

II. Compare the Results:

See if the Model you found is shown here:

• macOS Ventura is Compatible with these Computers - Apple Support
• macOS Monterey is Compatible with these Computers - Apple Support
• macOS Big Sur 11 Hardware Requirements - Apple Support
• macOS Catalina 10.15 - Hardware Requirements - Apple Support
• macOS Mojave 10.14 - Hardware Requirements - Apple Support
• macOS High Sierra 10.13 - Hardware Requirements - Apple Support
• macOS Sierra 10.12 - Hardware Requirements - Apple Support
• OS X El Capitan 10.11 - Hardware Requirements - Apple Support
• OS X Yosemite 10.10 - Hardware Requirements - Apple Support

III. If Compatible:

Back Up your Mac First:  Be certain you Create a Time Machine Backup of your Mac, so that way you can have something to restore your Mac from, should anything go wrong with the reconfiguration.

USB cables are really good for connecting LOCAL peripheral devices. But USB (even USB-C to USB-C) can not provide a Network (Computer-to-Computer) connection. USB is never show in

System preferences > Network ... as a computer-to-computer connection.

USB is not adequate for File Sharing or using Migration Assistant. Computer-to-computer requires thunderBolt ports and ThunderBolt cables to actually work.

So your migration will fall back to the fastest link available, likely Wi-FI through your Router provided each computer can make a connection to Your Router. ¿Can each computer use your Router to get an Internet connection? (the internet is not used, that is just a test for whether they can talk to the Router adequately.)

If running 10.12 Sierra or later, which you said they are, if you move the computers close to each other, they would create an Ad-Hoc Wi-Fi connection to talk directly, bypassing your Router.

This always seemed weird to me:

You know you have to be running the appopriate (pre-loaded) version of Migration Assistant on EACH computer to get this to work, right?

<< they are on the same WiFi network and connected by a cable. >>

Is the old Mac running 10.12 Sierra or later?

What cable is connected?,

Your query will be here for a long time, and others may find it by searching. your summary can help those who come after you.

¿What did you do that finally got it working?