Old Mac → New Mac
Moving to a new device? What transfers on its own, what you'll move yourself, and Apple's steps as a checklist — every line quoted from Apple.
Apple's tool for this move: Migration Assistant
What transfers
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What Migration Assistant transfers
Apple: “Migration Assistant transfers documents, apps, user accounts, and settings from one Mac to another.”
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Nothing is removed from the old Mac
Apple: “It doesn’t delete information from your old Mac or replace the operating system (macOS) on your new Mac.”
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Or from a Time Machine backup
Apple: “You can also use Migration Assistant to transfer from a Time Machine backup of your old Mac.”
What you move yourself
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Email accounts may need setting up again
Apple: “Migration Assistant transfers your email, but to access it you might first need to set up your email account again in your email app.”
Your move, step by step
Each step quotes Apple. Tick them off as you go — ticks stay in this browser only.
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Before you start
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Apple: “Make sure that macOS is up to date on each Mac. It’s not necessary for each Mac to be using the same version of macOS.”
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Apple: “To transfer wirelessly, make sure that both computers have Wi-Fi turned on and are near each other.”
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Apple: “If antivirus, firewall, or VPN software is in use on either Mac, turn off that software until you're done.”
During the transfer
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Apple: “If your Mac starts up to a setup assistant, which asks for details like your country and network, skip to the next step, because migration is part of that setup.”
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Apple: “If you see a security code, make sure that it's the same code shown on your new Mac. Click Continue.”
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Apple: “Or rename the old account before transferring it to your new Mac. This keeps both accounts, so that you can log in to them separately on your new Mac.”
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Apple: “Large transfers might need hours to complete, and might seem to pause occasionally.”
Afterwards
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Apple: “After Migration Assistant is done, quit Migration Assistant on both computers, then log in to the migrated account on your new Mac.”
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Apple: “If you're not keeping your old Mac, learn what to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your old Mac.”