#Setup mac for business how to#
#Setup mac for business password#
#Setup mac for business Pc#

So you may have to finish the setup process without using Migration Assistant, then update your OS (directions covering how to do that are below), and then run Migration Assistant. One thing to keep in mind, and Migration Assistant will remind you if you run into this, is that your new Mac needs to be on the same OS update as your old Mac (or vice versa). It's perfectly fine to leave your computer and go watch a show, let it process overnight, or even run some errands. If it's going to be awhile, you don't have to babysit it. The process can take several hours, depending on how much you have to transfer. Next, you'll be asked to confirm which information you want to transfer - including home folders, applications, settings, user accounts and other miscellaneous documents. Select the Time Machine drive that's connected to your new Mac, and select the most recent backup. Or if you'd rather directly transfer your files and settings from one Mac to another, Migration Assistant can do that, too.įollow the prompts in the Migration Assistant tool, selecting that you want to transfer your information from a Time Machine backup. We have a guide that walks you through the process. If you haven't backed up your old Mac through Time Machine, it's not too late. If so, you'll need the storage device your Time Machine backup is stored on. Migration Assistant makes it easy to transfer all of your information.ĭuring setup, you'll be asked if you want to restore your new Mac from a Time Machine backup of another Mac through Migration Assistant. All of it is pretty straight-forward, just continue to follow the prompts, entering any required information such as your Apple ID or creating a user name, to finish the core of the setup process. If you have a MacBook, you'll also be tasked with setting up Touch ID, the fingerprint reader that unlocks your computer, lets you sign into apps or approve Apple Pay purchases. I recommend turning on Find My Mac, even for a rig as large as an iMac ( $1,799 at Amazon) that's less likely to disappear, because you never know when you might end up with a lost or stolen MacBook. It's a good idea to turn on iCloud Keychain.įind My Mac works with the Find My app to help you track down a lost Apple device. iCloud Keychain also stores your Wi-Fi network credentials, meaning you won't have to log into a Wi-Fi network on your Mac if you've previously connected to it on your iPhone. If you use iCloud Keychain on an iPhone ( $499 at Apple) or iPad ( $290 at Amazon), those usernames and passwords will also be available on your Mac.

#Setup mac for business password#

ICloud Keychain is Apple's password manager that's built into all of its devices. If you aren't sure, you can always enable or disable it in the future. Here's what some of those features mean for you.įileVault encrypts your Mac's hard drive to prevent unauthorized access to the information you store on it. You'll also be asked if you want to enable Siri or provide any logs to developers when issues are detected. Throughout the process you'll be asked if you want to enable services like FileVault, iCloud Keychain or Find My Mac.

You'll also be tasked with creating a user account on the Mac and signing into your Apple ID. The assistant will walk you through selecting your country and language, and connecting the Mac to the internet. The first time your Mac turns on, a setup assistant will greet you. Setting up a new Mac isn't hard, but it can take some time.Īpple's Setup Assistant walks you through most of the process Once you have everything in order, connect the charger or power cord to your Mac and turn it on. Just make sure to destroy the piece of paper when you're done.

We don't recommend storing passwords on paper - it's much safer to use a password manager - but a piece of paper is helpful for temporarily storing this kind of information until you can enter it into your password manager. During the setup process, you'll be asked to create a user account, which includes a username and password. Having a piece of paper and a pen nearby is helpful. In addition to a reliable internet connection, you'll need your Wi-Fi network information, your Apple ID username and password, and the Mac's charger or power cord. The process will take longer if you plan on restoring your Mac from a Time Machine backup of another Mac. Make sure to set aside around an hour to get your Mac set up. There's something special about getting a new computer.

#Setup mac for business Pc#

Then there are other things to consider: Do you need FileVault? How can you get information off of your old Mac or PC and onto the new one? Those questions are exactly why we're here. For starters, the process can take several hours if you plan on transferring your data from another computer.