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Back up your current Mac, prepare both computers, migrate your data, and verify the new Mac before you erase or give away the old one. You can transfer during the new MacBook Pro’s first setup or later with Migration Assistant; a Time Machine backup is another migration source.
Choose when and how to transfer
If your MacBook Pro is still at first-time setup, use Setup Assistant to transfer from another Mac, a Time Machine backup, or a startup disk. Already set it up? You can run Migration Assistant afterward.
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| Option | Useful when | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Assistant | The new Mac has not been set up yet. | Migration is part of the initial setup flow. |
| Migration Assistant later | You have already configured the new Mac. | You can still transfer data after setup. |
| Wireless | Both Macs can be nearby with Wi-Fi enabled. | Apple says a direct Thunderbolt or Ethernet connection is often faster; no particular transfer speed is guaranteed. |
| Direct Thunderbolt or Ethernet | You have a compatible cable or network and prefer a wired transfer. | Check the ports on both exact Mac models and choose a compatible connection. |
| Time Machine backup | The old Mac is unavailable or you prefer to migrate from a backup. | Keep the backup until you have checked the new Mac. |
Apple’s guide, Migrate your data to your new MacBook Pro, covers the initial setup route and connection options.
Back up the old Mac before you start
Make a separate backup with Time Machine or another suitable backup method before migration, and retain it until you have verified the new Mac. A Time Machine backup can serve as a Migration Assistant source, and Apple notes that large restores may take hours. Apple’s restore guidance explains how to restore from a Time Machine backup.
#1 Best Overall
- SUPERCHARGED BY M5 — The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. Featuring all-day battery life and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s pro in every way.*
- HAPPILY EVER FASTER — Along with its faster CPU and unified memory, M5 features a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
- APPS FLY WITH APPLE SILICON — All your favorites, including Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud, run lightning fast in macOS.*
iCloud sync is not a whole-Mac backup: it syncs selected information. Apple describes iCloud and Time Machine as distinct ways to sync or back up information.
Prepare both Macs
- Install current macOS updates on both computers. Apple says the Macs do not necessarily need to be running the same macOS version.
- For wireless transfer, enable Wi-Fi and keep the Macs near one another.
- Connect each laptop to power for the transfer.
- Apple’s instructions say to turn off antivirus, firewall, and VPN software until migration is complete. Re-enable any protection you normally use afterward.
See Apple’s Migration Assistant requirements and its Mac transfer guide. Exact labels can vary with macOS version and language.
Rank #2
- FAST RUNS IN THE FAMILY — The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro or M5 Max chip brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. With all-day battery life, double the starting storage,* and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display, it’s pro in every way.*
- BUCKLE UP — Along with a next-generation CPU, faster unified memory, and up to 2x faster SSD storage,* M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance and on-device training capabilities. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR AI — Apple silicon, and every major component that powers it, is designed to run demanding on-device AI workloads like LLM inference and training. And Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.*
- MACOS RUNS APPS FAST — All your go-to apps run lightning fast in macOS, including built-in apps like FaceTime and Messages. Plus, built-in virus protection and free software updates help keep your Mac running smoothly and securely.
Run Migration Assistant
During first-time setup
- On the new MacBook Pro, follow Setup Assistant until it offers to transfer information.
- Choose the option to transfer from another Mac, a Time Machine backup, or a startup disk, then follow the on-screen prompts.
After setup is complete
- Open Migration Assistant on both Macs. On the old Mac, choose the option to transfer information to another Mac. On the new Mac, choose to transfer from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk.
- Check that the security code shown on each Mac matches, then continue.
- Select the user accounts and categories you want to transfer, and follow the prompts until Migration Assistant finishes.
Migration Assistant can transfer applications, user accounts and selected account folders, other files and folders, privacy and security settings, and system and network settings. Apple says apps that are incompatible or have a newer version already installed on the destination may not transfer or work; Migration Assistant provides a summary if it detects issues. Its key reassurance: “It doesn’t delete information from your old Mac or replace the operating system (macOS) on your new Mac.” Read Apple’s Migration Assistant guidance for details.
Check the new Mac before moving on
Do not treat a completed transfer as proof that every file or app is ready to use. Sign in to the transferred account and check:
Rank #3
- SUPERCHARGED BY M5 — The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. Featuring all-day battery life and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s pro in every way.*
- HAPPILY EVER FASTER — Along with its faster CPU and unified memory, M5 features a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
- APPS FLY WITH APPLE SILICON — All your favorites, including Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud, run lightning fast in macOS.*
- Important documents and folders are present and open.
- Essential apps launch and work as expected.
- Cloud-synced material you rely on is available.
Keep the old Mac and your backup available until these checks are complete. If a needed item is missing or an app will not work, you still have the original Mac and backup to consult.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Erase the old Mac only if you are handing it off
If you plan to keep the old Mac, migration does not require erasing it. If you are selling, giving away, or otherwise passing it to someone else, first confirm the new Mac and backup are in order. Apple says Erase All Content and Settings is available on Macs with Apple silicon or the Apple T2 Security Chip running macOS Monterey 12 or later. The feature removes settings, data, and apps while keeping the installed macOS.
Rank #4
- FAST RUNS IN THE FAMILY — The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro or M5 Max chip brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. With all-day battery life, double the starting storage,* and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display, it’s pro in every way.*
- BUCKLE UP — Along with a next-generation CPU, faster unified memory, and up to 2x faster SSD storage,* M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance and on-device training capabilities. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR AI — Apple silicon, and every major component that powers it, is designed to run demanding on-device AI workloads like LLM inference and training. And Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.*
- MACOS RUNS APPS FAST — All your go-to apps run lightning fast in macOS, including built-in apps like FaceTime and Messages. Plus, built-in virus protection and free software updates help keep your Mac running smoothly and securely.
That option is not available on every Mac. Check Apple’s preparation steps for an old Mac and the erase instructions for the old Mac’s model and macOS before proceeding; erase operations remove data. Apple also notes that an AppleCare plan may be cancelled or transferred to a new owner.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- FAST RUNS IN THE FAMILY — The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro or M5 Max chip brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. With all-day battery life, double the starting storage,* and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display, it’s pro in every way.*
- BUCKLE UP — Along with a next-generation CPU, faster unified memory, and up to 2x faster SSD storage,* M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance and on-device training capabilities. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR AI — Apple silicon, and every major component that powers it, is designed to run demanding on-device AI workloads like LLM inference and training. And Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.*
- MACOS RUNS APPS FAST — All your go-to apps run lightning fast in macOS, including built-in apps like FaceTime and Messages. Plus, built-in virus protection and free software updates help keep your Mac running smoothly and securely.
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