The new Macs from Apple’s “Pro and Tell” event began shipping on November 6, so yours may already be on your desk or arriving soon. Apple’s setup is simple, but a few things are easy to miss. Once your new Mac is in hand, and before you wipe or recycle your old one, work through this list.
- Move your data over. Migration Assistant copies your files, apps, and settings from your old Mac, either directly or from a Time Machine backup. If you use iCloud, signing in with your Apple Account brings back your photos, contacts, calendars, and anything stored in iCloud Drive.
- Check your files. iCloud only syncs what you’ve told it to. Look at your Desktop, Documents, and Downloads folders, plus anything on an external drive, and confirm the files you need are there.
- Check your email and work accounts. iCloud mail comes over on its own. Work, Outlook, and other email accounts often need to be added or signed into again. Send and receive a test email before you rely on it.
- Reinstall your apps. Some apps come over, and some need to be reinstalled, signed in, or reactivated with a license key. Make a list of the ones you use for work and check them one by one.
- Turn your backups back on. Backups don’t always carry over. Set up Time Machine or your cloud backup again and confirm the first backup finishes.
- Check your security. Confirm FileVault disk encryption is on, Find My is enabled, and macOS is fully updated. These take a few minutes and protect everything on your new Mac.
- Set up your printer and accessories. Printers, scanners, and other accessories sometimes need drivers or to be added again. Print a test page before you need it.
- Wait before wiping your old Mac. Keep it for at least a week or two, so you can go back for anything you forgot. When you’re ready, sign out of iCloud and your apps first, then erase it.
Short on time, or not sure everything made it over? We’ll do the setup and check for you.
- Move over your files, photos, email, and settings
- Reinstall your apps and get your business software working
- Turn on backups and security
- Get your printer, scanner, and accessories working