Use Setup Assistant to transfer your information while you set up the new MacBook Pro, or open Migration Assistant afterward if you’ve already completed setup. It can bring over files, apps, user accounts and settings from another Mac, a Windows PC, a Time Machine backup or another supported storage device. For Mac-to-Mac transfers, a direct Thunderbolt or Ethernet connection is often faster than Wi-Fi, though Apple does not publish a universal speed or time estimate.
Choose a transfer source
Pick the source that matches where your current information is stored. You can migrate during first-time setup or later with Migration Assistant.
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| Source | What to know |
|---|---|
| Another Mac | Use Migration Assistant on both Macs. Apple supports a wireless connection or a direct Thunderbolt or Ethernet connection; wired connections are often faster. |
| Time Machine backup | Connect and turn on the backup disk, then select it as the source. |
| Another supported disk or storage device | Select the device as the migration source and follow the prompts. |
| Windows PC | Use the Windows migration route offered by Setup Assistant or Migration Assistant. Its transfer scope differs from Mac-to-Mac migration: Apple says network settings and passwords are not transferred in the described Windows settings route. |
| iPhone or iPad | Setup Assistant offers an option to set up with an iPhone or iPad. This is a setup option, not a substitute for a full computer migration. |
Apple’s MacBook Pro migration guide and Migration Assistant instructions describe the available sources and transfer categories.
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Prepare both computers
- Install available macOS updates on both Macs before beginning.
- For a wireless transfer, turn on Wi-Fi and keep the Macs near each other. Connect laptops to power.
- If antivirus, firewall or VPN software is installed, Apple advises turning it off until migration is complete.
- If you are migrating from a Time Machine backup, connect and turn on its disk.
- For a direct wired transfer, check that the cable and connection are compatible with both exact Mac models. Apple’s guidance does not specify a cable generation, and buying a cable is not necessary if you use another supported method.
Apple does not require both Macs to run the same macOS version in the cited general instructions. See Apple’s Mac-to-Mac migration guidance for connection and preparation details.
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- 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.
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Transfer during first-time setup
- Turn on the new MacBook Pro and proceed through Setup Assistant.
- When asked whether to transfer information, choose the option for a Mac, Time Machine backup or startup disk, Windows PC, or iPhone or iPad, as applicable.
- Follow the prompts. If migrating from another Mac, open Migration Assistant on the old Mac when prompted and confirm that the security code shown on each computer matches.
- Choose the categories or items you want to transfer, then continue through the remaining setup screens.
The exact screens can vary with the device and macOS version. Follow the choices displayed by Setup Assistant on your MacBook Pro.
Transfer after the MacBook Pro is set up
- On the new Mac, open System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Open Migration Assistant. You can also find it in Applications > Utilities or with Spotlight.
- Choose the option to transfer information from a Mac, Time Machine backup, startup disk or other offered source.
- On the source Mac, open Migration Assistant and follow its prompts. If a security code appears, verify that it matches the code on the new Mac.
- Select the user accounts, apps, files and settings you want to bring over, then start the transfer.
Keep the computers connected to power and near each other during wireless migration. The Apple Mac-to-Mac instructions also explain how to locate Migration Assistant and confirm the security code.
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- 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.
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- 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.
What Migration Assistant can transfer
For Mac migrations, Apple lists apps, user accounts, other files and folders, privacy and security settings, and system and network settings among the available categories. You can choose what to transfer rather than copying everything by default. The Windows route has different limits; Apple says network settings and passwords are not transferred in its described Windows settings route.
Some apps may not transfer or may not work if they are incompatible with the new Mac. Migration Assistant does not delete information from the old Mac or replace macOS on the new one, according to Apple Support.
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- 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.
Check the result and address problems
- Read the Migration Assistant summary at the end, especially if it reports issues or items that could not be transferred.
- Open the new user account and confirm that your important documents, folders and apps are present and usable.
- If an administrator account prompt asks you to set a password on the new Mac, follow it. Apple says a standard account may instead receive a temporary password.
If the transfer does not start, check that both Macs are updated, powered, nearby for Wi-Fi, and that Wi-Fi is on. If you have antivirus, firewall or VPN software, temporarily turn it off as Apple advises. For backup migration, confirm that the disk is connected and turned on. For Mac-to-Mac migration, recheck the matching security code and the source selection.
For Apple’s current instructions, see transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant, Mac-to-Mac Migration Assistant guidance, and Apple’s instructions for transferring from a Time Machine backup.
Quick Recap
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.*
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.*
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