OS X Mavericks: Transfer your info from a computer or disk
If you didn’t transfer your information to your Mac when you first set it up, use Migration Assistant to transfer your information at any time.
You can transfer your user account—including all your pictures, music, and files—from a Mac or PC. You can also transfer information from a disk or a Time Machine backup.
Transfer info from a Mac
- Ethernet, FireWire, or Thunderbolt cable:
- Just connect the cable to the computers. If you’re transferring from a Mac with OS X v10.8 Mountain Lion or earlier using a Thunderbolt cable, follow the steps below to transfer from a Time Machine backup or other disk.
- Wired or wireless network:
- Make sure your computers are connected to the same network.
- Open Migration Assistant, click Continue, then follow the onscreen instructions to transfer info from another Mac.
- Open Migration Assistant on the other Mac, then follow the onscreen instructions to transfer info to another Mac.
- Select what to transfer.
Option Description Apps: Select the Applications checkbox. (Incompatible apps or apps with newer versions already installed may not be transferred or may not be usable.) Documents and data: If the Mac has multiple users, select the checkbox next to the user’s name. Otherwise, select Documents & Data. The user’s pictures, movies, music, documents, downloads, email, contacts, calendars, and more will be transferred.
Computer settings: Select the Computer & Network Settings checkbox. Your desktop picture, network settings, and more will be transferred.
- To begin the transfer, click Continue.
Transfer info from a PC
You can transfer over a wired or wireless network, as long as your computers are connected to the same network.
- Close any other apps, open Migration Assistant on your PC, then follow the onscreen instructions.
If you don’t have Migration Assistant, download it from the Apple website.
- Select what to transfer.
Option Description User accounts: Select the checkbox next to the user’s name. The user’s pictures, movies, music, documents, downloads, email (from POP and IMAP accounts), contacts, calendars, purchased iOS apps, bookmarked websites, and settings will be transferred.
Computer settings (desktop picture, language, and location): Select the Settings checkbox (in a user account). Network settings and passwords aren’t transferred. - To begin the transfer, click Continue.
To find transferred information on your Mac, see:
Transfer info to a Mac
- Ethernet, FireWire, or Thunderbolt cable:
- Just connect the cable to the computers. If you’re transferring from a Mac with OS X v10.8 Mountain Lion or earlier using a Thunderbolt cable, follow the steps below to transfer from a Time Machine backup or other disk.
- Wired or wireless network:
- Make sure your computers are connected to the same network.
Open Migration Assistant, then follow the onscreen instructions to transfer info to a Mac.
Transfer info from a Time Machine backup or other disk
Transfer from another disk on your Mac, a disk connected to your Mac, a disk on the same network, or another Mac (with OS X v10.8 Mountain Lion or earlier) connected to your Mac using a Thunderbolt cable.
If you’re using a Thunderbolt cable, connect the cable to the computers, hold down the T key while restarting the Mac with the info to transfer, then follow the steps below on your other Mac.
- Open Migration Assistant, click Continue, then follow the onscreen instructions to transfer info from a Time Machine backup or other disk.
- Select the disk, then select what to transfer.
Option Description Apps: Select the Applications checkbox. (Incompatible apps or apps with newer versions already installed may not be transferred or may not be usable.) Documents and data: If the Mac has multiple users, select the checkbox next to the user’s name. Otherwise, select Documents & Data. The user’s pictures, movies, music, documents, downloads, email, contacts, calendars, and more will be transferred.
Computer settings: Select the Computer & Network Settings checkbox. Your desktop picture, network settings, and more will be transferred.
- To begin the transfer, click Continue.