How To Transfer Files From Mac To Mac

In this article we cover 7 different ways to answer your question on how to transfer files from Mac to Mac. We’ll also give you step-by-setp instructions so you can start using the suggested solutions straight away.

Transferring files and folders across Apple’s many devices is made very simple in certain circumstances, by the company’s unified operating system. Therefore, if you want to share files with another Mac owner or you have just purchased a new Mac and would want to move some files from your previous laptop to the new one, this will be quite easy.

Several approaches may be used to move files from one Mac to another or to exchange data across Macs. In this article, we will provide a detailed description of the most viable avenues suitable for any type of data transfer.

1. Transfer Files Between Macs Using Migration Assistant

Apple’s Migration Assistant transfers all your files from your sender Mac to your destination Mac, eliminating the need to copy them manually. When your files are presently stored on a PC, you should follow the PC migration procedures instead.

1. Launch Migration Assistant in the Utilities area of your Applications folder on your sender Mac and your destination Mac.
2. On your sender Mac, when you are asked for permission to make modifications, input your administrator password and then click OK.
3. When queried about how you’d like to transfer your data, pick the option of transferring from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disc. Click Continue, then.
4. If a security code appears on your sender Mac, ensure it matches the one shown on your new Mac. Click Continue afterwards.
5. On your new Mac, Choose the information to be transferred.
6. Select Continue to begin the transfer. Large transfers might take hours to complete, therefore, it may be most convenient to begin migration in the evening and let it run overnight.
7. After the transfer is complete, dismiss Migration Assistant on both machines and connect to the migrated account on the new Mac to view its files.

2. Transfer Files Between Macs With AirDrop

If both of your Macs are running Mac OS X Lion or a later version, AirDrop is one of the simplest ways to share files between them quickly, and you may utilise the function as long as both of your Macs are updated. It is not necessary to use WiFi to transport the file between the two Macs; an ad-hoc network will be built between them automatically as long as they are in close proximity to one another.

To utilise AirDrop, do the following actions inside the Finder of the Mac OS:

1. To launch AirDrop, press Command + Shift + R on your keyboard.
2. To transfer files to another Mac, you must first wait for that Mac to become visible before you can drag and drop the file(s) onto it.
3. Accept the file transfer using the Mac that is receiving it.

3. Transfer Data From Mac To Mac Using iMessage

iMessage emerges as more than a mere avenue for communication: it is also useful for transferring and sharing files. You can even transfer files from your Mac to another Mac remotely through iMessage.

1. All you need to do is launch the Messages application on your Mac. Navigate to the Messages menu under Applications.
2. Start a new iMessage conversation. It should be addressed to the person you wish to send it to.
3. Drag and drop your file or folder into the message box, or copy and paste your file or folder into the window.
4. To send, just hit the return key. Your other Mac receives your file or folder when you send it to them over iMessage.
5. After that, you can easily save it from inside iMessage by right-clicking on the attachment and selecting “Save As.”
6. Lastly, store it in the downloads folder on their Mac.

4. Transfer Data Between Macs Via Bluetooth Sharing

Now we’ll take a look at another alternative in our article on how to transfer files from Mac to Mac, Bluetooth sharing. When two Macs are not connected to the same network, it is a practical method to transfer data between them.

1. Prepare your sender MacBook for the exchange of files.
2. Open Bluetooth on the destination Mac by clicking the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar or by clicking the System Preferences button, selecting Bluetooth, and ensuring that Bluetooth is turned on and the system is in Discoverable mode.
3. After you have confirmed that the Bluetooth Sharing option is enabled for the service, go to the Finder on the host machine, choose Applications, double-click Utilities, and then double-click Bluetooth File Exchange.
4. You may then transmit the file to the other Mac by selecting it in the Bluetooth File Exchange Finder box that later displays, clicking the Share button, and then navigating to the file you desire to send.
5. Exchange will open when you click on the macOS Bluetooth connection window. This will allow you to access the device’s Public folder, download files from the device, and transfer files to the device.
6. To accept the connection, on the Mac that will serve as the destination, click Connect inside the box labelled Connection Request that will display.
7. On the host Mac, the Bluetooth connection window will get an update and indicate that the destination system is linked.
8. On the destination Mac, a window will appear asking the recipient if they would want to accept the files that are being sent or not
9. To save them on your Mac, click the Accept button.

5. Transfer Files From Mac To Mac Using iCloud Storage

Without a doubt, iCloud Storage might be perceived as the untraceable link that unites the various components of the Apple ecosystem. Whenever you erase a file by mistake or do not have your computer with you, you may recover it. Besides, you may access stored files on iCloud Drive at any time and from any location.

In a very convenient manner, you may synchronise the data on all of your Macbooks and other devices by using your Apple ID. However, note that you will need to turn on sync for the files you want to transmit.

1. Launch System Preferences, then click Apple ID, and then choose iCloud.
2. Choose all of the files that you wish to include in the sync.
3. Use the same login information on the new Mac. 
4. Navigate to the System Preferences menu, click Apple ID, and then click Sign in.
5. Please enter the Apple ID and password associated with it.
6. There is a possibility that one of the connected devices may send you a verification code.
7. Input the secret code.
8. Subsequently, activate iCloud and any other file storage services by going to System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud. 

6. Transfer Files Between Macs Using File Sharing

Using the File Sharing capability built into macOS is one of the easiest and most secure solutions to transfer files. It resides in the Sharing options and allows you to share files and various folders on your Macs with authorised users or groups on the same network. 

1. Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu to launch the System Preferences window.
2. Select the Sharing preferences section. The left side of the Sharing preferences panel contains a list of shareable services. Place a checkbox in the Share Files box.
3. A green dot should now appear next to the words File Sharing On. The IP address appears directly underneath the text. Note the IP address since you will need it in further stages.
4. Click the button to the right of the paragraph labelled Options. Place a checkbox in the Share files and folders with SMB and Share files and folders with AFP boxes.
5. Your Mac is now prepared to distribute files and folders using AFP for legacy Macs and AFP for Mac OS X.
6. Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu on your Mac and click on the Sharing preference pane by clicking on it. The functions you can share are listed along the left-hand side of the Sharing choice pane. Make sure that the box labelled “File Sharing” is checked.
7. You ought to notice a green check mark next to the text that states File Sharing On at this point. The IP address may be seen just underneath the text. Make a note of the IP address since you will need this information for later procedures.
8. Tap the button labelled Options, located close to the right of the text. Put a tick in the box that says “Share files and folders using SMB,” as well as the box that says “Share files and folders utilising AFP.”
9. Your Mac is now prepared to share files and folders with other computers via AFP, which is designed for older Macs.
10. When you wish to transfer your files, you will notice the specifics of your Mac at the top of the screen, and beneath those details, you will see a name.
11. You may provide that name to any other Mac machine on your local wireless network that you wish to be able to share access to your Mac.
12. Place the folder or file you want to make public in the shared Public folder you configured in the Settings menu of System Preferences. Finally, the other Mac will get be able to access it!

7. Transfer Files Between Macs With Filemail

Although Mac users can use our website to share files with each other, in this section, I’ll be covering FileMail Desktop for Mac. The process of sending files via our website and desktop apps is the same, so you can follow along even if you do not have the desktop app installed, or just want to use our website.

Furthermore, it does not cost anything to use FileMail if you want to share files less than 5GB in size. There is no need to register.

Furthermore, it does not cost anything to use FileMail if you want to share files less than 5GB in size. There is no need to register.

1. Start the desktop app, or go the homepage on our website.
2. Click on “Add files”.
3. Navigate to, and attach, the desired files and/or folders.
4. You can choose to send your files as an email or upload your files and get a shareable link.
5. If you chose choose to “Send as email”, type in the email address of the recipient. Submit an optional message if you want to.
6. Press the send button.
7. The recipient will get an email, with instructions on how to download the files.
8. If you chose to “Send as link”, after your files are uploaded, you will have received a link, which you can share with whomever you want to share the files with.

If you are working in a professional capacity, you will almost certainly be required to transfer files to individuals and organizations located worldwide. Filemail comes in handy in this situation. There are no difficult preparations, no QR codes to read, and no hurdles to go through. Sending a file is just as simple as sending an email message.

The Filemail Desktop app enables you to send huge files of any size, to any email address using a simple drag and drop interface. You may also upload files to a private URL to share with others. Transfers are enhanced by the Filemail UDP protocol, which makes it the quickest and most reliable method of sending huge files over the internet.