Migrating files to a new iMac

[Raven]

After 9 years doing graphic design work on my 24” iMac, I will now migrate my files to my new 27” iMac with same OS 10.14. I am a bit wary and hope everything transfers properly - whether Adobe CS6 apps will work, no 1100 font management issues with Font Agent Pro, etc.
Are there are any key considerations BEFORE or AFTER to ensure a seamless transition?

And is this the best reference to use?…
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT204350

[Paddy]

The Apple doc should be the definitive bit of info.

The only thing they don't really cover is - do NOT set up a new account on the new iMac before you start. Just use Migration assistant and let it do its thing.

[Raven]

Ooops. When I opened my new iMac, I had to set up a new account and to read my email and use the iCloud features. Will that be an issue if you say NOT to do that?

[Raven]

Started migration process using Wifi. Both are sitting side by side.  The new one sees my wifi network. BUT old iMac can’t find new iMac! Aaargh! What to do?

[jchuzi]

Try connecting the two Macs via an ethernet cable.

[Raven]

Tried ethernet cable. *#!%*!
No difference. Old one keeps looking for the new. New keeps looking for a “source”. 
Is there some setting I’m missing? Or what?
 Frustrating beyond belief!

[jchuzi]

Even though Apple says that ethernet works, I couldn't get it to work when migrating from my old Mac Pro to my current iMac. Still, I thought that it was worth suggesting. What finally was successful was booting the old Mac Pro into Target Disk Mode while it was connected to the iMac. The Mac Pro was old enough to lack any port more advanced than Firewire, so I used a Firewire-Thunderbolt adapter to hook them up, and that worked. You should be able to use Migration Assistant for this.

Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode

[Raven]

Jchuzi,
I'm actually migrating from my old 2009 24" iMac with OS10.10 to my 2017 27" iMac with OS0.14.6. Would target disk mode still work instead of Migration Assistant?
On another Mac Forum someone thought the two iMacs were too far apart in OS for MA to work?

[jchuzi]

When I migrated, I went from 10.6 to 10.11, so I guess that yours will work. At any rate, the only way to find out is to try. Once you are in Target Disk Mode, launch Migration Assistant and see if it is recognized. If so, you should be good to go.

[Raven]

I don't have the adaptors to fit between the 2009 24" iMac to the 2017 27" iMac. It will take days to order online. So, I have a cloned EHD with a cable that will connect to the new iMac. Can I use Migration Assistant that way?

Will that transfer my work files AND my Adobe CS6 apps that are on the cloned EHD?

 It asks me if I want to replace the User Account or keep both? Any reason to keep both?

[jchuzi]

Migrating from the EHD should work (at least I think so; you'll have to try). I don't want to say anything about keeping both accounts because I'm not sure of the answer.

[Raven]

Finally was able to use a cloned external hard drive and migrate all files. Some folders seem to be duplicated and I have a lot of looking through folders and editing to do.
- I can't find my many STICKIES from the old iMac. Any idea where they might be? Keep lot of notes there.
- I now have two similar Apple email accounts. Not sure which one to dump. Or can I dump both and add the primary account as a new one?
Should I REBUILD the mail account?

[jchuzi]

In my system, Stickies are located in ~/Library/StickiesDatabase. Be careful about dumping a Mail account: I did it upon the advice of an Apple tech (big mistake!) and ended up losing all my wife's emails. She was not happy. Apple did manage to tell me how to get them back, luckily, but my marriage nearly didn't survive.

Rebuilding mailboxes should be harmless, so I would try it.

[Raven]

Thanks again Jon.
Recovered stickies!

I have 2 identical primary mail accounts. Will
make one inactive to see what happens. I think because they are IMAP, even if you delete, they are still on the server?

Have a few other glitches that I’m asking about on several
Mac forums. Not getting a lot of TS replies. Everyone on post covid holidays? 😊

[jchuzi]

The account that I had deleted was IMAP and deleting it removed all emails from the server. On the other hand, that account was accessed solely from my iMac and not from a second computer, iPhone, or iPad. Still, I would not take the chance of deleting it without backing up everything (and, frankly, I don't know how to do that). Still, you could copy ~/Library/Mail as a possible way to back up, but I can't guarantee that that will work.