To set up a new MacBook Pro, open its lid and follow Setup Assistant. Connect to Wi-Fi when prompted, choose whether to migrate data now or set up as new, create your Mac user account, and review the settings offered for your device and region. You can also use Migration Assistant later if you prefer to start with a clean Mac.
Before you begin
- Connect power if needed. Your MacBook Pro arrives with some charge. Apple recommends connecting the included power adapter and cable if you want to charge it fully or plan to transfer data.
- Have internet access available. Some parts of Setup Assistant require an internet connection, and the Mac may need an update during initial setup.
- Decide what you want to bring over. You can migrate from another Mac, a Windows PC, a Time Machine backup or other storage, or set up as new and transfer later. A nearby iPhone or iPad is another option when the required software versions are installed.
Apple’s MacBook Pro setup guide says to open the lid to begin. The screens and available features can vary by macOS version, hardware, language, and region.
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Start Setup Assistant
- Open the lid. Your MacBook Pro starts and Setup Assistant guides you through its initial configuration. If it does not start, connect power and press the power button.
- Choose your language and country or region. Follow the on-screen prompts. Some features and content are not available everywhere.
- Connect to a Wi-Fi network when asked. This allows setup to use internet services and check for software updates. If you cannot connect, follow the on-screen options and try again when a reliable network is available.
- Choose a transfer route. Select the appropriate option for your old Mac, Windows PC, backup, or nearby Apple mobile device—or choose to set up without transferring data.
- Configure accessibility and create your account. Choose any accessibility features you need, then create a Mac user account with a password that is unique to this Mac. Sign in with your own Apple Account if you want to use Apple services; this is optional during setup.
- Review the settings offered. Depending on your Mac and software, Setup Assistant may offer choices such as Location Services, Screen Time, Touch ID, Siri, and Apple Intelligence. Read each prompt and decide whether to enable it; availability and language support differ.
Apple’s MacBook Pro Getting Started Guide covers what to explore after Setup Assistant, including Mac basics, personalization, apps, accessories, security, and backups.
Choose the right way to transfer your data
Pick the route that matches where your files and settings are now, and whether you want to move them during initial setup or later.
#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.*
| Source | What to know | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Another Mac | Migration Assistant can move documents, apps, user accounts, and settings. Apple advises updating both Macs and opening Migration Assistant on each. Transfer can be wireless if the network requirements are met; a direct Thunderbolt or Ethernet connection is often faster. | You want to bring over data and settings from a Mac. |
| Windows PC | Use Windows Migration Assistant, choosing the version appropriate for the PC. The Windows-to-Mac transfer option is available during initial setup or through Migration Assistant. | Your previous computer runs Windows. |
| Time Machine backup, startup disk, or other storage | Select the available backup or storage source as the migration source. A backup can also help recover files if the old computer’s disk is damaged. | Your data is already stored on a backup or external source. |
| Nearby iPhone or iPad | Nearby setup can transfer settings such as Wi-Fi, appearance, and accessibility. Content in Apple apps—including Photos, Messages, Notes, Calendar, Passwords, and Contacts—can be retrieved according to the signed-in account’s iCloud settings. | You want to use an eligible, already-set-up iPhone or iPad to help configure the Mac. |
| Set up as new | No data is transferred as part of that choice, but Migration Assistant can be used later. | You want to start using the Mac first or decide later what to move. |
Apple’s MacBook Pro migration guide explains the supported migration paths. Transfer time and the exact result depend on the source and connection; Apple does not give a universal duration or guarantee that every app or setting will move.
Set up with a nearby iPhone or iPad
Apple’s nearby setup option requires macOS Sequoia 15.4 or later on the Mac, iOS 18.4 or later on an iPhone, or iPadOS 18.4 or later on an iPad. The mobile device must already be set up, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must be on. Keep it nearby and follow Setup Assistant’s instructions.
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.
These requirements are from Apple’s article published September 17, 2026: Set up Mac with iPhone or iPad. If the option does not appear, check the operating-system versions, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and whether the phone or tablet has completed its own setup.
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Set up as new and migrate later
You do not have to transfer everything during first startup. Choose the option to set up without migrating, finish creating your user account, and move data later with Migration Assistant. This works well if you need to use the Mac right away, want to inspect an old backup first, or would rather decide which files and accounts to bring over after setup.
Rank #3
- 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.
Review account, privacy, and accessibility choices
Mac account and Apple Account
Your Mac user account is how you sign in to the computer. Choose a strong, unique password for it. An Apple Account is used for Apple services and associated iCloud content; signing in during setup is optional, and you can choose whether to do so when prompted.
Accessibility
Accessibility choices are available during setup, so configure them at the point they are offered if they make the Mac easier to use. The precise options depend on the device and software.
Rank #4
- 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.*
Location Services, Screen Time, Touch ID, Siri, and Apple Intelligence
These may appear as setup prompts, but they are not universal requirements. Enable only the features you want and can use. Apple notes that features can depend on hardware, operating-system version, country or region, and language; Apple Intelligence in particular has language and regional limitations.
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Once you reach the desktop, take time to review Mac security and decide how you will keep a backup. Apple provides a current FileVault guide for protecting data on a Mac and a Time Machine guide for backing up files. Follow the instructions for your macOS version rather than assuming a particular setting or default applies to every Mac.
Best Value
- 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.*
Time Machine uses a suitable storage destination; check that any external drive you choose has a compatible connection and enough capacity for your needs. No particular model or capacity is required for every MacBook Pro, and existing peripherals may already meet your needs.
Quick Recap
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