---
id: mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-restore-a-whole-mac-from-time-machine
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-restore-a-whole-mac-from-time-machine
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Time Machine basics"
question: "How do I move everything to a new Mac from a Time Machine backup?"
alt_questions:
  - "migration assistant time machine"
  - "restore new mac from backup"
  - "transfer to new mac from time machine"
  - "set up new mac from time machine"
  - "migrate data from backup mac"
short_answer: "Use Migration Assistant, choose transfer from a Time Machine backup, and select what to bring. If it won't fit, leave large folders out and keep them on an external drive."
tags: ["time machine", "migration assistant", "new mac"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-big-should-a-time-machine-drive-be"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How do I move everything to a new Mac from a Time Machine backup?

Use **Migration Assistant**: during setup of the new Mac (or later from Applications → Utilities), choose to transfer from a Time Machine backup, select the backup drive and the items to bring across — apps, user accounts, settings and files.

If the new Mac has less storage than the old one, Migration Assistant tells you when the selection won't fit; leave large folders out and copy them to an external drive instead.