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to use internet cable for copying your iMac M1

Can you use an internet-cable to transport your information from an old iMac to the new iMac M1


iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on May 20, 2021 12:52 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 20, 2021 8:15 AM

Please read the information below carefully, this is the most effective method of migrating your data!


When you buy a new Mac the easiest, quickest and most reliable method is to simply connect the old Mac's Time Machine External Hard Disk to the new Mac using a USB cable before you turn on the new Mac. You will likely need a USB A to USB C adapter, you can find them on Amazon for $10 or less. When you start the new Mac for the first time it will startup Setup Assistant (SA), SA will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another computer, select Yes  and follow the on-screen prompts and it's done! It is THAT simple.

 

If you have already done SA on the new computer then simply connect the Time Machine External Hard Disk using a USB cable and launch Migration Assistant (MA) which is located in Applications - Utilities - MA. Then follow the on-screen prompts.

 

The ONLY difference between MA and SA is MA will create a new user account that you need to log into.


 Both SA and MA migrate applications (not 32 bit apps) , data files, settings, it does not migrate Mac OS itself. Some professional apps such as Adobe and Microsoft apps may require re-installing their apps as they will not allow them to be migrated. As long as you kept the security keys for installing their apps, it is not a big deal.

 

Finally, NEVER EVER use WiFi to migrate, this will fail in almost 100% of the situations in my experience. WiFi was never intended to move large amounts of data at one time.

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 20, 2021 8:15 AM in response to J. Hopmann

Please read the information below carefully, this is the most effective method of migrating your data!


When you buy a new Mac the easiest, quickest and most reliable method is to simply connect the old Mac's Time Machine External Hard Disk to the new Mac using a USB cable before you turn on the new Mac. You will likely need a USB A to USB C adapter, you can find them on Amazon for $10 or less. When you start the new Mac for the first time it will startup Setup Assistant (SA), SA will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another computer, select Yes  and follow the on-screen prompts and it's done! It is THAT simple.

 

If you have already done SA on the new computer then simply connect the Time Machine External Hard Disk using a USB cable and launch Migration Assistant (MA) which is located in Applications - Utilities - MA. Then follow the on-screen prompts.

 

The ONLY difference between MA and SA is MA will create a new user account that you need to log into.


 Both SA and MA migrate applications (not 32 bit apps) , data files, settings, it does not migrate Mac OS itself. Some professional apps such as Adobe and Microsoft apps may require re-installing their apps as they will not allow them to be migrated. As long as you kept the security keys for installing their apps, it is not a big deal.

 

Finally, NEVER EVER use WiFi to migrate, this will fail in almost 100% of the situations in my experience. WiFi was never intended to move large amounts of data at one time.

May 20, 2021 9:44 AM in response to J. Hopmann

Smart decision, please ensure you have the proper adapter too, remember the new 24" iMac's use USB C connections and your Time Machine drive likely does NOT have USB C so check in advance!!!


Also, do not order the base model 24" due to it's lack of ports. Buy one with 4 ports and be prepared to buy a dock to offer additional ports you may need. Navigate to www.macsales.com and view their selection of docks. If you are outside the USA, please let us know and we can provide the link to OWC's international resellers.

to use internet cable for copying your iMac M1

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