Apple Migration Assistant vs Time Machine for transfer between machines

[britechguy]

I just got a call from a client who is replacing an old Macbook and, of course, wants to transfer their stuff over to the new one once they have it. I know that one can use Migration Assistant as well as restoring from Time Machine, and I was wondering if there are specific pros and cons to either one of those two techniques.

I like the idea of Migration Assistant over WiFi, but, if restoring from Time Machine is faster and more robust, I'd go that route. FYI, said client is not taking Time Machine backups (yes, I asked, and he had no idea what Time Machine is).

 

[Philippe]

Migration Assistant as well as restoring from Time Machine,

It's the same thing AFAIK. Migration assistant will let you choose to restore over WiFi or from Time Machine...

("If your Mac starts up to a setup assistant, which asks for details like your country and network, continue to the next step, because the setup assistant includes a migration assistant." - Apple support)

 

[timeshifter]

Migration Assistant is the program you use to restore data from a Time Machine backup to a new computer. There are other ways to use Migration Assistant like over a network (WiFi or Ethernet) or with a cable directly connecting the two computers. I'd recommend getting a new SSD and making one Time Machine backup on the old computer then restore it with Migration Assistant on the new one.

Note that you'll want to not have anything set up already on the new Mac, as the Migration Assistant takes it all over. This is also something you'd want to do in shop and or overnight, not on site while waiting and watching.

 

[Markverhyden]

It depends on what you definition of restore is. If it's to put it in it's original condition that what Time Machine is meant for. OS and all. Mig Assist, as the name implies, is to bring all your "stuff" from a working machine onto a new machine.

Use Migration Assistant to copy all of your documents, apps, user accounts, and settings to a new Mac from another computer.

Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/102613

If the source machine is one version or equal to the new machne it should work flawlessly. Bigger gap and you might here it complaining. If your source OS is not supported by the new machine you cannot use Time Machine for an image restore

My personal preference is to have the source machine up to the same OS version as the new machine and then use Time Machine. No muss, no fuss. Except for passwords. If I remember correctly user account passwords move but none of the other ones do. If the source machine is working you can manually move them.

 

[Markverhyden]

This is also something you'd want to do in shop and or overnight, not on site while waiting and watching.

Ain't that the truth. Years ago I had a new Mac setup at the customer's house. Only WiFi and it was either G or A. Both basically the same speed. She had something like 100-125gb of stuff. Mainly music and pics. After I started the Mig Assist I told the EU I'd be back tomorrow late afternoon. She was indignant but I told her it could easily take 10-15 hours or more. Showed her how to tell when it's done.