Will Migration Assistant from old to new Mac replicate App Store login issues?

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Will Migration Assistant from old to new Mac replicate App Store login issues?

I’m using Migration Assistant from old iMac to new Studio.

I’m worried about one thing. The iMac was second hand, and for silly reasons, the old owner never scrubbed his contact from it, I never bothered with that, but it did mean I could never use the App Store to update anything, because I didn’t have the old users password.

In using Migration Assistant, will the process replicate that problem? Obviously for the new machine I don’t want that to happen.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: when using Migration assistant from old to new Mac, does the login information on the old mac get transferred to the new?

iMac 27″, macOS 10.12

Posted on Sep 2, 2025 2:56 AM

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Answer 1

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Owl-53

Level 10

102,553 points

Sep 4, 2025 5:15 AM in response to Bousque

OP Wrote “ I’m using Migration Assistant from old iMac to new Studio. “

Although Apple makes this possible via Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant

Because it is available, It does not mean you have to use it for 2 reasons;

1 - That which @ John Galt has outlined earlier re:” could never use the App Store to update anything “

2 - Issues that may have existed on the older computer will be migrated to the New Computer.

This would badly pollute the new Original and Pristine installation of the new OS.

Applications, extensions and Software Drivers may or may not even work on the new computer.

IMHO - it would be best to only install new application etc Directly from the Developer or the Apple Apps Store.

Due Diligence on New Applications and make sure they are Sequoia compatible and factor in the ARMs CPU of the Apple Silicon Computer

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Answer 2

John Galt

Level 10

155,342 points

Sep 2, 2025 10:03 AM in response to Bousque

The short answer is yes. Migration Assistant is designed to replicate everything that can be replicated.

I am wondering just how you were able to use that old iMac, but I surmise you really weren't. For example if the previous owner installed apps that were purchased with his or her Apple Account, technically you don't own them, so you can't update them, nor will you be able to transfer them to your new Mac.

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