How to Use the Migration Assistant to Transfer Data from a PC to Mac OS Mojave
Posted on 19th June 2023
The Migration Assistant is a utility that comes with every copy of Mac OS X. This assistant helps you transfer your files, settings, and user accounts from another Mac or PC to your Mac running Mac OS Mojave.
If you’re moving from a PC to a Mac, the Migration Assistant can help you transfer your files, settings, and user accounts to your new Mac. Here’s what you need to know about using the Migration Assistant to make the move:
What You Need
To use the Migration Assistant, you’ll need:
- An external hard drive or a Time Machine backup of your PC. The Migration Assistant will create a copy of your PC on your Mac, so you’ll need enough storage space to accommodate the size of your PC’s hard drive.
- A network connection. The Migration Assistant will transfer your files over a wired or wireless network. If you’re using a Mac with a Retina display, you’ll need a Thunderbolt cable to connect to a PC.
How to Use the Migration Assistant
- Connect your external hard drive or Time Machine backup to your Mac.
- Open the Migration Assistant, which is located in the Utilities folder. If you don’t see the Utilities folder, click the Go menu, then hold down the Option key and select Library.
- Click Continue, then select “From a Windows PC.”
- Click Continue again. The Migration Assistant will search for PCs on your network. If you don’t see your PC listed, click the “Show All Options” button, then select your PC from the drop-down menu.
- Enter your PC’s password, then click Continue.
- Select the files and settings you want to transfer, then click Continue.
- The Migration Assistant will begin transferring your files and settings. This process can take a while, depending on the size of your hard drive and the amount of data you’re transferring.
Things to Keep in Mind
Here are a few things to keep in mind when using the Migration Assistant:
- The Migration Assistant will transfer your files, settings, and user accounts, but it won’t transfer your programs. You’ll need to install your programs on your Mac separately.
- If you’re transferring your files from a Time Machine backup, the Migration Assistant will also transfer your system files. This can cause problems if your Mac is running a different version of Mac OS X than your backup.
- The Migration Assistant can transfer your files over a wired or wireless network. If you’re using a Mac with a Retina display, you’ll need a Thunderbolt cable to connect to a PC.
- The Migration Assistant will create a copy of your PC on your Mac, so you’ll need enough storage space to accommodate the size of your PC’s hard drive.
FAQ
How do I use the Migration Assistant to transfer data from a PC to Mac OS Mojave?
To use the Migration Assistant, you’ll need:
- An external hard drive or a Time Machine backup of your PC. The Migration Assistant will create a copy of your PC on your Mac, so you’ll need enough storage space to accommodate the size of your PC’s hard drive.
- A network connection. The Migration Assistant will transfer your files over a wired or wireless network. If you’re using a Mac with a Retina display, you’ll need a Thunderbolt cable to connect to a PC.
Can the Migration Assistant transfer programs from a PC to a Mac?
No, the Migration Assistant will only transfer files, settings, and user accounts. You’ll need to install your programs on your Mac separately.
Does the Migration Assistant transfer system files?
If you’re transferring your files from a Time Machine backup, the Migration Assistant will also transfer your system files. This can cause problems if your Mac is running a different version of Mac OS X than your backup.
As the Migration Assistant copies your data, it might need to restart your Mac. If it does, it will let you know.
When the transfer is done, you might see a screen asking if you want to transfer your applications. You can transfer your apps, or you can do it later. If you choose to transfer your apps now, the Migration Assistant will quit all open apps on your PC. It will also quit any apps that are set to open automatically when you log in.
The Migration Assistant will then copy your apps to your Mac. This might take a while, depending on how many apps you have. When it’s done, you’ll see a list of your apps on your Mac.
You can now quit the Migration Assistant.
The next step is to choose what you want to transfer. The most common option is to transfer everything, which includes your system settings, application data, user files, and more. If you want to be more selective, you can choose specific folders or files to transfer.
Once you’ve selected what you want to transfer, click “Continue” and the Migration Assistant will begin copying your data to your Mac. Depending on how much data you’re transferring, this could take a while, so it’s best to do this when you won’t need to use your computer for a while.
Once the Migration Assistant is done, it will ask if you want to transfer any additional data, such as your browser bookmarks or email accounts. If you want to transfer these, click “Continue” and follow the instructions. If not, click “Skip.”
Finally, the Migration Assistant will ask if you want to clean up your PC after the transfer is complete. This will delete all of the data that you transferred, so only do this if you’re sure you don’t need it anymore. If you’re not sure, click “Skip” and you can always delete the data later.
And that’s it! You’ve now successfully transferred your data from your PC to your Mac.
