Migrate your data to your new MacBook Air
You can transfer your data when you set up your new MacBook Air or later using Migration Assistant.
Transfer data during Setup Assistant
When you first set up your Mac, Setup Assistant asks you if you’d like to transfer your data to your new MacBook Air.
You can transfer data in one of the following ways:
Migrate from another Mac, Time Machine, or startup disk. Choose From another Mac, Time Machine, or startup disk, then follow the onscreen instructions.
Migrate from a Windows PC. Choose From a Windows PC, then follow the onscreen instructions.
Set up with iPhone or iPad. Choose Set up with iPhone or iPad, then follow the onscreen instructions. See the Apple Support article Set up Mac with iPhone or iPad for more information, including minimum software requirements.
Transfer data after initial setup using Migration Assistant
If you choose to set your Mac up as new during the initial setup, you don’t automatically transfer any data from other devices. You can transfer data later using Migration Assistant.
Before you begin. Before you begin transferring data using Migration Assistant, make sure of the following:
Both your previous computer and new computer have the latest version of the operating system. For more information about how to update your Mac based on your current operating system, see Keep your Mac up to date. Be sure to use the menu at the top of the page to choose your current operating system and get the most accurate instructions.
Both computers are connected to same network if you want to transfer wirelessly.
Both computers have Migration Assistant open. To open Migration Assistant, press Command-space bar, enter Migration Assistant, then press the Return key.
In Migration Assistant, you can transfer data in one of the following ways:
Migrate from another Mac. In Migration Assistant on your new Mac, choose From a Mac, Time Machine, or startup disk. Click the Mac you’re transferring data from on the setup screen, then follow the onscreen instructions. See the Apple Support article Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant for more information.
Tip: Though you can transfer data wirelessly by connecting both computers to the same Wi-Fi network, it’s often faster transferring when you directly connect your MacBook Air with your previous Mac using a Thunderbolt or Ethernet cable.
Migrate from a Windows PC. Use Windows Migration Assistant to transfer your data over a wired or wireless network. In Migration Assistant on your new Mac, choose From a Windows PC, then follow the onscreen instructions. See the Apple Support article Transfer from PC to Mac with Migration Assistant for more information, including the correct version of Migration Assistant for your Windows PC.
Migrate from a Time Machine backup, startup disk, or other storage device. You can transfer information from a Time Machine backup, startup disk, or other storage device. If you backed up your previous computer, you can recover files even if the hard disk is damaged.
In Migration Assistant on your new Mac, choose From a Mac, Time Machine, or startup disk, then follow the onscreen instructions. For more information, see Transfer your information to Mac from another computer or device or the Apple Support article Restore your Mac from a backup.