Best way to transfer files without using migration assistant

upgrading from snow leopard to mavericks goes ok, but migrating files hangs with "less than a minute to go". What is the best way to transfer user files without using migration assistant?

I keep backups of essential documents in Dropbox, and then the files can sync when I reinstall Dropbox.
For larger collections of files, for example, my Documents folder, or iTunes or iPhoto libraries, I transfer them from a Time Machine Backup- just by going into the backup manually and restoring the folders.
If you have files that can fit on a flash drive, then you can use that, which is very fast.

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What is the best way to transfer files without iTunes?

Long story short, my computer died and I now do everything on my iPad. I am having trouble figuring out the best way of juggling files so I can print them though the school computers. I don't even know if I can email it as an attachment. Most of the files are from pages, keynote, or pictures. How do I store it so I can open it on another computer. I would like to use a flash drive but there is no USB port on the iPad.
Thanks for your help! I am new at this.

You can email the files. When you are in Pages - with the document open - tap the Wrench Icon (tools) in the upper right corner and tap on share and print - then tap email document in the next window. Your mail app will popup and you can email the file and save it to your school computer then open and print it. The process works the same in the photos app - select the photo - tap the arrow icon in the upper right - tap email photo. Keynote should work the same way - I don't have Keynote.
DropBox - as Rudegar explains would also work. You will have to download the app on the iPad and use it on the school computer as well - you can get a free account for up to 2GB from DropBox - but I don't know if the school will allow you to download the application on your computer. The application for the computer is free as well.

Best way to transfer files from old Macbook Pro to new one?

I just got a new Macbook Pro from Apple...YEEEEAAAHHHH!
So....
What's the best way to transfer files from old Macbook Pro to new one? I know Migration assistant, but is there a recommended way? I don't want to put do a system restore or transfer everything from the old laptop, but I do want to move important things like photos, music, documents and such over. Any suggestions on best way to do this?
Another question, perhaps subquestion. If I have, say, an older version of iPhoto but a newer version of one on my new Macbook Pro, will it still transfer photos no problem?
Just looking for hints from the experts so this puppy is set up in the best way possible.

Just one comment on this:
‘If I have, say, an older version of iPhoto but a newer version of one on my new Macbook Pro, will it still transfer photos no problem?’
the problems are ALWAYS in the reverse way, when you have the newest (or a newer) version of a given app, and wish to transfer its library to an older version.
Otherwise, see the link to Pondini.
I have been using Martin Jahn’s iBackup, with which I have become accustomed and works fine. It also makes daily backups. Its advantage over other apps is that you may add whatever you wish to save, beside its default settings (which you may delete or cancel, of course, even if not recommended); it also has a friendly interface and easily customizable. Of course, this is a personal view, you may try other methods as well, or other backup apps. All are good if you are satisfied and correspond to your needs.

What is the best way to transfer files from a Power PC G4 that has NO power? Thanks.

What is the best way to transfer files from a Power PC G4 that has NO power? I have a newer iMac. Thanks.

Remove the hard drive and get one of these USB hard drive adapters. http://tinyurl.com/a5l2htj Then plug the adapter into your iMac to see/retrieve the files.
 Cheers, Tom

How do I move my mail from snow leopard to mavericks without using migration assistant

I'm doing a clean install of Mavericks on a new MacBook Pro. I want to move over my mail data on a MacBook Pro running Snow Leopard without using migration assistant (it brings over too much stuff I no longer need). I can find the library just fine by holding down the option key while clicking on the "go" menu. However, the folder setup looks quite different than in Snow Leopard. What do I need to bring over, and where do I put it?

Thanks for your help.
Just to close the loop, it took a little more than this. I had to start over with the following steps:
Restart the new computer by holding down the option and R keys.
Erase the harddrive of the new computer.
Reinstall Mac OSX. Name during setup as unique from that on the source computer.
Set up a system administration user with a name unique from anything on the source computer.
Connect the two computers with firewire/lighting cable.
Turn on the source computer holding down the t key (target disk mode).
Using Migration Assistant bring in the users only.
Log into the account with the mail problem, open mail, and rebuild the mailbox.
It seems to be working now - fingers crossed.

What is the best way to transfer files from Windows XP to a new MacBook Pro?

I am about to make the switch from PC to Mac, but I am not completely sure how I should transfer all of my old files (Word docs, PowerPoints, Excel Sheets, pictures, etc.) over to the new Mac. I read this article, http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4796, and it said to download Windows Migration Assistant. It says that a new user account will be created on the Mac containing all of the transferred material. I assume that I can just pull stuff from the newly created account and put it on the main or administrative account? Also, I assume that I can delete the created account after I get everything that I want off of it, but I am new to the whole Mac thing and assuming never gets anyone anywhere. One more thing, I do not want to transfer over my email accounts from Outlook because there is some kind of problem with the way they are set up. I want to just start them completely over in Mail. The article says that the program will automatically transfer over email accounts. Is there a way to avoid that or just transfer stuff manually? If anyone has transferred files this way before, I would really appreciate any insight you can give me. Thanks!

Best way would be NOT to use any sort of migration program, just copy the files over and place them in the same Music, Pictures, Documents folders on the Mac like it is on Windows.
All you need a external USB drive you can pick up at any office or computer store, I would advise powered and either the same size or larger (not too big) than your boot drive on the Mac. So later you can make a clone of OS X, as there is NO system restore on a Mac.
Most drives are formatted MBR with a FAT32 (named "MSDOS" in Apple's Disk Utility) and can be read on a Mac just as easily.
If for some reason your external drive has been already formatted by Windows into NTFS format, then a Mac can't read it without paying for more software and having to hassle with updates, it not working etc. So format the external drive FAT (FAT32) or even exFAT on the PC first (exFAT needs a free download from Microsoft on XP machines)
When you connect the drive, simply drag and drop your files right into the same folders, this way you can control what comes over and what stays.
If you want a free program that can open your Office files without having to pay for OfficeMac, then the free LibreOffice is available and works great.
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16276201#16276201

Best way to transfer files

I have a new Mac Pro core with Snow Leopard. I want to transfer all my internet and other settings from my old G5 PowerMac. But will reinstall 3 party applications. Any tips I must be aware of? Firewire or any other way to transfer. Please advise me.

San Serif?
Serial Attached Network Storage?
There is a thread guide on how to use Migration Assistant safely when moving from G4/5 to Intel Macs in the User Contributed Tips Library.

Best way to transfer files to new iMac?

I'm trying to transfer files from my PowerPC iMac running Tiger purchased in 2005 to a new iMac running Snow Leopard. I've heard some reports that using migration assistant on a Tiger-to-Snow Leopard transer causes some problems. Is this problem widespread? This sounds like the easiest method for transfering files, especially since I have almost zero experience transferring libraries and user accounts manually. But I don't want to do it if there's a chance of files being corrupted. I'll also have to purchase a Firewire 800/400 cable, but that's no big deal since I'll probably need it for other hard drives anyway. Any advice?

See User Tip: A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs

Transferring files, apps using Migration Assistant

I bought a new Intel based iMac and instead of using the set up assistant to help me transfer my files from my old Mac (1.5 GHz Powerbook G4, OS X 10.4.11) to my new one I delayed the process and am now trying to do it using Migration Assistant. The problem is my 2 Macs aren't reading each other and yes I do have Migration Assistant up on both of them. I'm connecting firewire and that's not working and I tried networking them and that's not working. It just continues to say that it's searching for other computers. It's especially weird when I use the network feature because I have 2 other Macs that are also on the network and it's not reading them either. Is there any reason for this? Is it possible that it's not working because I'm using OS X 10.5.6 on my new iMac? Am I doing something wrong? I'm stumped to why it's doing this.

You can connect the two Macs together with an Ethernet cable directly and do the same thing, but there is nothing else on the "network" to confuse them.
From Mac Help in the Finder Help Menu;
*To connect two computers using Ethernet:*
1. Connect a standard Ethernet cable from the Ethernet port on one computer to the Ethernet port on the other. You don’t need to use an Ethernet crossover cable.
2. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences on both computers, and click Sharing. Note the computer name for the computers.
3. In the Finder on one of the computers, choose Go > “Connect to Server,” and then click Browse.
4. Double-click the other computer in the window and enter your password, if necessary.
Once you have established the sharing connection you should be able to use MA in Network mode.

Can't find data after transfer between macs using migration assistant

I wanted to transfer data between my Macbook air using Mountain lion and a MacBook pro using Mavericks. I did it using migration assistant through Wi-Fi. The process was completed without problems but I can't find the data on the MacBook pro!
It was my pictures folder, about 50Go and I can't find it anywhere on the new computer. It should be easy since there is almost nothing on there at the moment. It is a new install.
The disk utility tells me that I have now an extra 50Go of space used, so it must have been transferred...
Any idea?
Thanks

I found my data in the shared folder. Not all of it was there and in the end a nice lady from Apple told me to start again from the beginning and delete the mess the import program created
I am still a bit confused over the red circles but make sure you are in the right account when trying to see the data as I dont think even as admin I could see the main user account (I had 5 for the family).
There is a button under the get info tab that can change some of the permissions
Frustrating isnt it

Upgrading Hard Drive, best way to transfer files etc?

I have a 13" MacBook (White) Intel Core 2 Duo 2Ghz w/ 4G Ram and a 80G HD.
I want to replace the HD (with maybe 320G). What's the best way to seamlessly transfer all my files, setting, applications etc. as easily as possible.
I have Retrospect; can I just duplicate the entire HD to the new drive (by putting it in an external enclosure first) and then take the drive out of the enclosure and drop it in to the computer. Will all the OS settings, preferences transfer properly?
I'm trying to avoid having to manually mover over a lot of settings, or reinstall printer drivers etc if possible!
Thanks for any help or suggestions

I'm not familiar with Retrospect. Does it make a bootable clone? Can you attach your backup to your MacBook and use it as the startup disk? If so, make the backup onto the new drive and test it. Then put it into your MacBook using [These Instructions|http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbook13_mem_hdm>. (The video shows RAM and HD installation) If you're careful and follow the steps, you won't hurt your MacBook. If you don't feel confident with the procedure, get outside help.
If the Retrospect backup is not bootable, better use SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner instead.

What's the best way to transfer files from dead MDD G4 PowerMac to new iMac desktop?

My Mirrored Drive Door 1 ghz G4 Power Mac recently stopped powering on. I have just purchased a new iMac with 2.5 ghz intel core i5. What is the best way for me to transfer the files to the new machine?
Someone on another thread recommended buying a converter cable like this one: http://www.newertech.com/products/usb2_adaptv2.php
Will I need to use transfer software too? I'd like to bring my playlists along to the new machine but don't need any of the software.
Thanks!

That will work. You could also remove the hard drive from the MDD and put it in an external enclosure so you would have it for backup.
You can use the utility, Carbon Copy Cloner, to transfer files - MacUpdate or CNET Downloads.

Best way to transfer files from a MacBook Pro with 10.9, to an iMac with 10.8, Best way to transfer files from a MacBook Pro with 10.9, to an iMac with 10.8, Best way to transfer files from a MacBook Pro with 10.9, to an iMac with 10.8

I have recently upgraded my MacBook Pro to 10.9.
I also used it to save a copy of files from my iMac that was being serviced (sytem reinstall).
I now want to transfer files back from my Macbook(10.9) to my iMac which was loaded with 10.8.5.
But they do not recognise each othert in the Mirgation Assistant program when they get to the looking for another computer segment.
Is there a simple workaround?
Or am I missing or misunderstanding something?

Reverse migration of data (from a newer system to an older one) isn't supported. You'll have to copy the files manually, and some, such as your Mail database, may be incompatible.

Best way to transfer files from old HD to new?

Apple recently replaced my dying HD with a new one and I have an account on it with basic files and apps running. I have been able to drag and copy home, Applications, net, System, Library, and my user & shared folders to the new desktop from the old HD. (Fun fact: old HD was apparently dying from overheating: wasn't working well in the enclosure I bought until I parked it on top of a freezer pack. Worked flawlessly after that.)
So...now I have the old bootable HD in an enclosure, critical folders of files and apps on my desktop, and time machine busily making archives of said folders. How to best rebuild my new account with all the old stuff: migration assistant, setup assistant, or judicious dragging and dropping? I also have DiskWarrior.
Old and new HD were standard 250 GB, with the old HD about 15% full; time machine is a firewire 500 GB solid-state drive (SSD?)

It depends on the size and type of HD you have: each has it's own "standard" enclosure. The iMac 250 GB drive is a 3.5" SATA HD; I bought an Inland model 8419 USB 2.0 enclosure, good for either 2.5" or 3.5" HDs. I found my model by searching online for "3.5 SATA HD enclosures": there were several brands that had good recommendations. I'm withholding recommending mine until I have completed recovering my old HD, and get some more operating instructions from inlandus.com. But I will say that the enclosure fit perfectly, with no screws loose.
What was the defunct computer, and what are the specs on the HD? It is also possible to get enclosure-less hookups: you can try http://eshop.macsales.com/search/universal+drive+adapter (thanks to Eric Ross)
-John

Best way to transfer files from PC to Mac

Hello there,
I am FINALLY able to buy a Mac and am looking at an iBook. I have a PC laptop and would like to learn more about the quickest and easiest way to move files from the PC to Mac. Any ideas? Thanks!

You would probably find this page helpful:
http://www.apple.com/switch/howto/

Best way to transfer files without using migration assistant

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