When you are setting up a new MacBook, one of the first questions is how to move everything over without making a mess of your files, settings, and apps.
Migration Assistant gives you a couple of options, including Wi-Fi and Thunderbolt, but it is not always obvious which connection your Macs are actually using during the transfer.
Quick Answer
Mac Migration Assistant can migrate data from an old Mac to a new Mac over Wi-Fi, but if you connect the Macs with Thunderbolt, the setup screen should show Thunderbolt as the current connection.
After selecting the old Mac from the new Mac, compare the security codes shown on both computers, confirm they match, and continue. Before starting the migration, look for the current connection indicator so you know whether the transfer is using Thunderbolt or Wi-Fi.
Starting Migration Assistant
On the new Mac, Migration Assistant shows available Macs that can be used as the source for the transfer. In this case, the new computer showed Thomas's MacBook as an available option.
Once that old Mac appears, select it and click continue. That starts the pairing process between the two machines.
Confirming The Codes
After choosing the old Mac, Apple shows codes on the computers. This is there so you can confirm you are connecting to the correct Mac and not another nearby device.
Compare the codes on both screens. If they match, continue on the old laptop and then proceed with the migration on the new Mac.
Checking Thunderbolt Or Wi-Fi
The important detail is the current connection label shown during the migration setup. In the walkthrough, the screen showed Thunderbolt as the active connection.
That tells you the Mac is using the Thunderbolt connection instead of falling back to Wi-Fi. If Thunderbolt was not connected, Migration Assistant would either show Wi-Fi or prompt you to connect another option.
Why This Matters
Wi-Fi migration is useful because it does not require a cable, but it can be slower and more dependent on your network conditions.
Thunderbolt is the connection I would look for when I want the transfer to be more direct. The key practical step is not just plugging in the cable, but verifying that Migration Assistant actually says Thunderbolt before you move forward.
Key Takeaways
- Migration Assistant can transfer data to a new Mac over Wi-Fi or Thunderbolt.
- Select the old Mac from the new Mac when it appears in Migration Assistant.
- Compare the codes on both computers before continuing.
- Check the current connection label before starting the migration.
- If Thunderbolt is connected properly, the migration screen should show Thunderbolt instead of Wi-Fi.
Watch the Video
The video above above to see where the Migration Assistant connection indicator appears and how the code confirmation looks during the new MacBook setup process.
