How to Fix Migration Assistant Security Issue on Mac

Need to fix the Migration Assistant Security issue on Mac?

As the name gives off, Migration Assistant is used to move your data from one Mac to another—especially if you’ve accidentally missed the Setup Assistant on the initial boot. Unfortunately, the application doesn’t always function as smoothly sometimes.

For many users, their data transfer gets stuck, or the process fails to initiate as a whole. The reasons for this may vary from outdated macOS or poor internet connection to disk drive issues, user account conflicts, and overprotective antivirus settings. But don’t fret, we have multiple troubleshooting methods discussed below.

So what are we waiting for? Let’s get started!

1. Update macOS.

An outdated macOS which may be causing the Migration Assistant Security issue on your Mac. As this app only migrates data between Macs running Lion OS and later versions, it may be unable to transfer data for older versions. So, it’s crucial you make sure your macOS is up-to-date.

Here’s how to update your macOS:

1. Head to the Apple menu from the top bar and select System Preferences. 
2. As the System Preferences window opens, click on Software Update. 
3. Now, select the Check for Updates button and allow Apple to check if there’s any available software update. 
4. If there’s a pending update, click on Upgrade Now to install it on your Mac. 

Remember that it will take around half an hour or so to update your Mac. The process will require a strong internet connection and sufficient storage on your Mac. Moreover, you’ll also need an adequate battery. So, allow your Mac to charge and connect to an active internet before you update macOS. 

Once your Mac runs on the latest software, go to the Migration Assistant app and the security issue should be resolved now. If not, follow the next method below. 

2. Check Internet Connection.

Another major factor for the smooth transference between the two devices is a stable internet connection. Good internet speed will ensure a proper connection between the two Macs, allowing them to search for each other and transfer data. 

You may ensure your internet speed by performing a speed test. In order to do so, follow the steps below:

1. Go to Speedtest by Ookla from your Mac. 
2. Next, click on Go. 

3. Once the process is completed, check your internet speed. If it comes out to be unsatisfactory, consider switching to another Wi-Fi network. Moreover, you may move closer to your router or restart it to improve your Mac’s internet strength. 

After connecting to a strong internet connection, head over to the Migration Assistant app and see if the security issue is fixed or not. If that’s not the case, let’s move on to the next method.

3. Disable Antivirus Program.

At times, the third-party antivirus programs or the built-in firewall may disrupt the smooth data transference between the two Macs. Therefore, it’s advised to disable these antivirus programs to prevent any sort of interference in the app.

You can disable the built-in firewall by performing the steps below:

1. Click on the Apple menu and choose System Preferences. 
2. Next, click on Security & Privacy.
3. Go to the Firewall tab from the top. 
4. Lastly, click Turn Off Firewall and then OK to save these changes. 

This should successfully solve the Migration Assistant Security issue on Mac. 

4. Check Sharing Settings.

Another reason for the Migration Assistant Security issue on Mac is misconfigured sharing settings. Before allowing any sort of data migration, you must ensure your old Mac and new Mac are paired together for data transmission.

You may do this by performing the following steps:

1. From your old Macbook, click on the Apple menu from the top-left corner and choose System Preferences. 
2. Once the Sharing window opens, check the name mentioned next to Computer Name. 

3. If the new Mac’s name doesn’t appear, type it in the name field. 

Once done, go to the Migratory Assistant app to see if you’re still seeing the security issue. If you are, perform the next method to solve it. If this still doesn’t fix things for you, next move on to the next step.

5. Run Drive Diagnosis.

Since you’re still here, it’s highly probable that the issue lies in your Mac’s disk drive. Sometimes, you cannot transfer data properly from one Mac to another because of such issues. Hence, performing a diagnostic test for your drive is advised to avoid problems during the data transference.

Before running a drive diagnosis, disconnect all the peripherals and turn off your Mac. Next, follow the steps below depending on your Mac’s processor:

For Mac with an Apple Silicon processor:

1. Press the Power button on your Mac to turn On your Mac. 
2. Next, press and hold the Power button again once the Mac boots up. 
3. Let it go once the startup window appears. 
4. Then, press the Command and D keys simultaneously to run the test. 

For Mac with an Intel processor:

1. Start by pressing the Power button to boot up your Mac. 
2. Now, press the D key and let go once the progress bar screen appears. 
3. Once you get the diagnosis test results, click on Get started to troubleshoot the issue with the drive. 

If you’re unable to do so, consider taking your Mac to the nearest Apple Store to get it repaired. 

6. Exclude Transfer of Applications.

For many users, the Migration Assistant Security issue occurs when transferring applications. Since this folder is huge and requires a long time to migrate, it tends to freeze up during the process.

To avoid this issue, simply uncheck the Applications folder when selecting data to transfer. Instead of migrating the apps to the new Mac, download the ones you need. 

7. Set Account Password.

Not having a set password for your old Mac account can also result in an error when transferring data via Migration Assistant. This is mainly a security measure to protect your data from theft. To overcome this issue, set an account password for your Mac.

You can do so by the following steps:

1. Start by heading to the Apple menu then click on System Preferences. 
2. Now, select User & Groups. 
3. Click on your account from the left sidebar and select Change Password. 

4. Set your new password and see if that fixes the Migration Assistant Security issue on Mac. 
   
   

8. Reset SMC.

And lastly, the final fix for your issues regarding the transference of data through the Migration Assistant app is resetting the SMC. This method tends to fix multiple issues within the features of Mac, such as power or battery. The ways to reset SMC vary for different Mac devices.

To reset SMC for a Macbook, follow the steps below:

1. Start by turning off your Macbook. 
2. Next, press and hold the Shift + Left Control + Left Option keys for around 10 seconds. 

3. Keep holding the keys and press and hold the Power button along with it for at least 7 seconds. 
4. Now, release all the keys. 
5. Finally, power on your Mac after a while.

After resetting the SMC, the Migratory Assistant Security issue should be successfully resolved. 

Conclusion

With Migration Assistant, you can easily transfer data from your old MacBook to your new one. However, if you’re constantly facing the Migration Assistant Security issue, it may be due to misconfigured sharing settings or an outdated macOS. 

Apart from ensuring a stable internet connection and updating your MacBook, other ways to fix this issue include running a drive diagnosis, setting an account password (if you haven’t already), or disabling antivirus programs.

And this concludes our guide on how to fix the Migration Assistant Security issue on Mac. In case of any confusion or query, use the comments section below. We’ll try our best to provide further assistance. 

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