New Macbook pro 2019 16in, is it best to migrate from old macbook pro using migration assistant or use time machine back up or just start fresh? I

The most trouble free way to move to a new machine is using the Setup Assistant on the initial boot up of your new machine:

Set up your new Mac - Apple Support

If you are past that point, Migration Assistant: How to move your content to a new Mac - Apple Support

The migration assistant is going to need a Time Machine backup.

personally I would go for a fresh setup

and check for any MacOS updates after

install all my apps & update them

and at the end open your TimeMachine ext drive and

copy / paste all your data at the same place on the new 16

yes absolutement samiam@7611

you can browse the folder "Backups.backupdb " / your computer's name / go to the latest date / Macintosh hd / users /

select your name & you will get to your desktop, documents, pictures, music....

just copy from TM to your new MBP 17

when using Finder to explore your backup sets:

¡DO NOT DELETE Any files from your backup sets using Finder!

These files are specially locked, and should you actually manage to get them into the Trash, the will refuse to disappear from the Trash on Emptying. Best policy is not to delete any files form your backups using Finder.

I bought the MacBook Pro 16" two weeks ago and used Migration Assistant for the first time. This was my fourth MacBook Pro and my practice in the past was to do a clean, fresh setup.

I prepared by backing everything up from my old MacBook Pro, upgrading to Catalina and then deleting the 32 bit software that won't work on Catalina. I then crossed my fingers and eyes, and ran Migration Assistant. It was fantastic! My new MacBook was an exact clone of my old one. Have been running now for two weeks without any hitches whatsoever.

I tried the Migration Assistant from to my MacBook Pro 16in from my MacBook Pro late 2013. Let it overnight and saw it had failed. I then used a SuperDuper clone (Catalina) and imported to my new MacBook Pro. Worked a treat. Apple has had problems in the past with the Migration Assistant computer to computer. You just have to be lucky I guess.

Apple's Setup Assistant along with a TimeMachine backup is the best way to move from an old computer to a new computer in most cases. Using WiFi or even Ethernet is unreliable due to timeout issues. Target Disk Mode is available if your 'old' computer is new enough but which cable to use can be confusing. There's nothing confusing about a TimeMachine backup on an external drive.

If using SuperDuper or CarbonCopyCloner or similar software, you must be careful NOT to copy over a version of MacOS OLDER than the one originally installed on the new machine. If you load a MacOS that is too old, the new machine will not boot.

Migration Assistant makes the a bit more likely.

I have used the Migration Assistant several times in the past and it generally worked well. This last time I did lose some of my keychain passwords, which I had to address. The Apple tech I talked with said they have had some issues with Keychain, so it may not be entirely a Migration issue.

Last point. I suggest you also follow Apple's instructions for cleaning your old computer to omit all of your personal data remaining on it.

Migration assistant offers some picking and choosing, as shown by expansion triangles for some categories:

and you can use your old Mac or its [Time machine] Backup as the source.

no matters if you would want to, you could not,

Time Machine has locked all of those files for your own protection,

only copy / paste can be done to "grab" any of your data

True but SuperDuper is so easy. Just stick a portable cloned drive on it and fire and forget. Never did Time Machine. Never had to. But horses for courses. Cool.