---
id: comparisons.storage-studio-vs-migration-assistant
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/comparisons/storage-studio-vs-migration-assistant
category: "Comparisons & alternatives"
subcategory: "Backup and cloning tools"
question: "Can Storage Studio move my data to a new Mac like Migration Assistant does?"
alt_questions:
  - "storage studio migration to new mac"
  - "use storage studio to transfer to a new macbook"
  - "migration assistant vs storage studio"
  - "new mac what do I do with storage studio moved folders"
  - "set up new mac with storage studio"
short_answer: "No. Use Migration Assistant to move to a new Mac. Move back anything you've relocated to the external drive first, then migrate, then set Storage Studio up again on the new Mac."
tags: ["new mac", "migration assistant", "move back"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/comparisons/cloning-apps-vs-storage-studio"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Can Storage Studio move my data to a new Mac like Migration Assistant does?

No — use Apple's **Migration Assistant** to move your account, apps and settings to a new Mac. Storage Studio isn't a migration tool.

What deserves a moment of planning is anything you've **moved** to your external drive, because on your old Mac those folders are links pointing at the drive. The simplest, safest route is:

1. On the old Mac, move back what you want on the new Mac's internal drive — from the Storage Inspector's **Relocated** panel or the Apps window's **Moved** tab.
2. Run Migration Assistant.
3. Install Storage Studio on the new Mac and move things out again as needed.

If you're retiring the old Mac, the **Uninstall** wizard can also bring every relocated folder back for you. See [Getting started](https://storagestudio.us/faq/getting-started/).