Migration Assistant on Mac is a built-in tool used to transfer files, accounts, apps, and settings from an old Mac, PC, or another user account. 1. It helps set up a new Mac quickly without manual copying or reconfiguration. 2. Common uses include setting up a new device, recovering data after a clean macOS install, merging files from multiple Macs, or switching between devices. 3. To use it, ensure both devices are compatible, connect them via Wi-Fi, Thunderbolt, FireWire, or Ethernet, launch the app on both, select what to transfer, and wait for completion. 4. It transfers user accounts, apps (if compatible), documents, system settings, and mail history, but excludes incompatible apps, preinstalled apps (which reinstall automatically), corrupted files, and some plugins. 5. When transferring from a Time Machine backup, users gain more control over specific file selection. It simplifies migration by automating most tasks as long as steps are followed properly and enough time is allowed.

Migration Assistant on Mac is a built-in tool that helps you transfer all your files, accounts, apps, and settings from an old Mac to a new one—or even from a PC or another user account. It’s designed to make the process of setting up a new Mac as smooth and painless as possible.

Why Use Migration Assistant?

Most people use it when they get a new Mac and don’t want to manually copy over everything or set up their system from scratch. Instead of reinstalling apps, copying documents, and reconfiguring preferences, Migration Assistant handles most of that automatically.

Here are some common reasons people use it:

• Setting up a brand-new Mac
• Recovering data after a clean install of macOS
• Merging files from multiple Macs (like in a shared household)
• Switching between work and personal devices

It’s especially handy if you have a lot of data or aren’t tech-savvy enough to do the setup manually.

How to Use Migration Assistant

Using Migration Assistant is pretty straightforward, but there are a few key things to know before you start:

1. Make sure both Macs are compatible – Most models from the past 5–6 years should be fine, though older ones might need a different connection method.
2. Connect the two devices – You can use Wi-Fi (if both support it), Thunderbolt, FireWire, or even an Ethernet cable depending on your hardware.
3. Start Migration Assistant on both devices – On the new Mac, it usually opens during setup. If not, you can find it in Applications > Utilities.
4. Select what to transfer – You can choose to move users, apps, and other data, or just certain parts.
5. Wait for the transfer to finish – This could take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours, depending on how much data you’re moving and your connection speed.

One thing to note: Your old Mac needs to be running a version of macOS that’s compatible with the new one. If you're moving from a very old OS to a newer one, you may need to update first.

What Gets Transferred (and What Doesn’t)

When you use Migration Assistant, here’s what typically moves over:

• User accounts and passwords
• Applications (as long as they’re compatible with the new Mac's OS)
• Documents, downloads, desktop files
• System settings like network preferences and printers
• Mail accounts and messages history

However, some things won’t carry over:

• Apps that came preinstalled with your old Mac (they’ll be reinstalled automatically if available)
• Any incompatible software or plugins
• Corrupted files (obviously)

Also, if you’re transferring from a Time Machine backup instead of directly from another Mac, you’ll have more control over which specific files and folders get moved.

Basically, Migration Assistant makes switching to a new Mac simple by handling most of the heavy lifting. It’s not magic, but it’s reliable—if you follow the steps and give it time.

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