Migration Assistant creates a second admin account on Mac

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Level 1

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Migration Assistant creates a second admin account on Mac

I purchased a new Mac mini recently to replace an old iMAC (8 yrs). I set up the Mac mini first before trying to transfer all my data from the old Mac to the new Mac. I read in one of these support groups I can still use migration assistant to transfer the data I want to keep on my old Mac. When I use migration assistant, it wants me to create a second admin account on my new Mac mini in order to complete the transfer. If I do this, how can I put all the transferred data onto my new Mac in the new admin account and then delete the additional old admin account, if this is possible? Or is this a task I need to take to my local Apple Store so they can complete?

Mac mini, macOS 26.1

Posted on Dec 8, 2025 5:47 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

John Galt

Level 10

155,222 points

Dec 8, 2025 6:33 PM in response to Magneto507

I set up the Mac mini first before trying to transfer all my data from the old Mac to the new Mac.

That's the reason for the second User Account. It is best to set up a new Mac by transferring its content from the start, when offered the opportunity. Having declined that option, your choices are as follows:

Erase the Mac and start over, or
Proceed with creating the second Admin account followed by deleting the redundant one.

Erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings - Apple Support

Delete a user or group on Mac - Apple Support

If you don't like the name of the newly migrated Account, rename it:

Change the name of your macOS user account and home folder - Apple Support

Whatever you decide upon be sure to follow Apple's instructions with care.

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

68,552 points

Dec 9, 2025 7:16 PM in response to Magneto507

IIRC, when using Migration Assistant you can replace or rename the existing new user account you created if you wish. See Step#4 in the "On Your New Mac" section in the following Apple article:

Transfer to a new Mac with Migration Assistant - Apple Support

Personally I would go with @John Galt's option as it is the cleanest & safest option since the M-series Macs do have a new concept of "ownership" so I would prefer that the first user account created is my main user account just to be safe. Unfortunately Apple doesn't provide much details on this new concept, but we have seen issues with it on this forum usually related to bootable external drives. The "Erase All Content & Settings" makes this extremely fast & easy to revert the Mac to the same state as you received it where you will be greeted with Setup Assistant again.

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