Apple Migration Assistant: Transfer data from old PC to Mac

Apple Migration Assistant makes moving data to a Mac quick and easy. GIGA shows you how this works.

Apple’s Migration Assistant lets you move data, documents, computer settings, and applications from another Mac or an old Windows PC to a new Mac. You can also use the program to restore data from a Time Machine backup. We at GIGA will show you how to use the Apple migration assistant.

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How does Apple Migration Assistant work?

Apple Migration Assistant is a utility that helps you transfer data from another PC to a Mac. To use Migration Assistant, you must connect both computers to the same network. Once connected, Migration Assistant will guide you through the rest of the process. In most cases, all you have to do is select what you want to transfer and then let Migration Assistant do its job. The whole process can take several hours depending on how much data you want to migrate. However, once it’s complete, you’ll have everything you need to start using your new Mac.

Transfer data from an old PC to a Mac with Migration Assistant

1. First you have to connect both computers. You can use the WiFi connection or a connection cable for this.
2. Now open the Finder and click on “Applications” and then up “Migration Assistant”.
3. The next step is to confirm on your old computer that you want to transfer the data.
4. On the Mac you now have to choose how you want to transfer your data.
5. A one-time security code is then generated, which you must enter on both devices and the data will be transferred. If there are any problems, the migration assistant will guide you through the process.

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Data transfer from a Windows PC to a Mac

If you want to transfer data from a Windows PC to a Mac using Migration Assistant, the process is mostly the same. Nevertheless, there are a few things to consider:

1. First you need to make sure that the Windows PC is up to date. Migration Assistant is only supported on Windows 7 or later versions. We’ll show you how to determine your computer’s operating system.
2. Next, you need to install the correct version of Windows Migration Assistant. To do this, you have to find out which operating system your Mac is using and connect the two PCs using WLAN or a connection cable.
3. Once the program is installed, open it and click “Continue”.
4. From here you follow the instructions described above from step 2.

Restore Time Machine backup

If you want to restore a Time Machine backup from your Mac, Migration Assistant can help. In our article we explain how to make such a backup. How to restore the backed up data:

1. activated Time Machine backup volume in the system settings and opens the migration assistant.
2. Choose how you want to transfer your data and click “Continue”.
3. You will now be asked which Time Machine backup you want to restore.
4. Select the desired backup and click “Continue”.
5. Now select the data to be transferred and confirm the selection with “Continue”.

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