Migration Assistant not working is a common issue, especially it turns stuck on setting up, transferring your information, or looking for applications and documents to transfer. What to do if Mac Migration Assistant freezes or gets stuck? From this post, MiniTool shows you several ways to fix the stuck problem.

MacBook Migration Assistant Stuck

Migration Assistant is an excellent tool designed to transfer data including all of your apps, user accounts, documents, and settings from an old Mac to a new Mac. Besides, it can also help to transfer files from a PC to a Mac. However, according to Mac users, the Migration Assistant stuck issue often happens.

Then, you may ask: how long does Migration Assistant take? This depends on how much data you’re transferring and the method you use. If this utility is still stuck on starting up, setting up, transferring your information, looking for applications and documents to transfer, or looking for other sources after waiting several hours, you need to take measures to address it.

The common reasons for this could be an outdated MacOS version, a connection issue, antivirus blocking the transfer, etc. Next, let’s see what to do if Mac Migration Assistant freezes/becomes stuck.

How to Fix Migration Assistant Taking Forever/Stuck/Frozen

If the issue of Migration Assistant stuck on starting up appears, firstly check if there is an issue with the connection. If you use Wi-Fi to transfer files, make sure both Macs are on the same Wi-Fi network. If yes, you can try to restart your router.

If you use a wired connection to transfer data, you can unplug the cable from your two Macs and reconnect it after a few seconds. This could solve your issue and just have a shot.

Update macOS on Both Macs

For a transfer with Migration Assistant from a Mac to Mac, you need to make sure your two Macs have installed the latest version of macOS. If you are running an old version, do the update now. Go to the Apple menu, click System Preferences > Software Update, and start the system update by following the on-screen instructions.

Transfer Data Without Applications

The Applications folder is easy to trigger Migration Assistant stuck on Mac. You can try to move files without selecting this folder and see if the stuck issue still exists. On the Select the information to transfer page, uncheck the Applications folder and then start the transfer to see if your issue is addressed.

Disable Antivirus Firewall

Third-party antivirus software and Firewall could interfere with Migration Assistant, leading to a stuck or frozen issue on your Mac. So, go to disable them.

To disable the built-in Firewall, navigate to the Apple menu, click System Preferences > Security/Privacy > Firewall, and turn off or stop Firewall.

Use Target Disk Mode

If you are plagued by Migration Assistant stuck on Mac, you can try another mode to transfer files and it is using target disk mode. Any Mac can be an external hard drive for any other Mac.

Step 1: Use a USB or Ethernet cable to connect two Macs.

Step 2: Run the old Mac to the target disk mode:

When the source Mac is powered off, press the Power button and press & hold the T key until a FireWire or Thunderbolt icon appears on the Mac.

When the source Mac is on, go to the Apple menu and click System Preferences > Startup Disk > Target Disk Mode to reboot your Mac.

Step 3: On the desktop of the target Mac, you can see a disk icon. Double-click on it and drag files to the target Mac. After finishing the data transfer, drag the disk icon to Trash to eject the source disk.

Final Words

Is Migration Assistant stuck on setting up, starting up, transferring your information, looking for applications and documents to transfer, etc. on your Mac? After trying these common ways, you should address it.

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