MAC SETUP

SETUP PREPARATION

If you’re moving from an old Mac to a new Mac, there are a few procedures we need to do to ensure a smooth transition. We can save you time and money with our Mac service by doing some of these remotely.

• Backup – Make a complete Time Machine backup of your original computer.
• iCloud Storage – Check Apple iCloud storage to ensure maximum allowance has not been breached.
• De-Authorization – Use Apple ID to deauthorize your old Mac.
• Software Licenses – Sign out of any licensed software on your Mac, e.g: Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Check Software – All Apps need to be checked for 64-bit compatibility. 32-bit Apps may need to be re-purchased.

SETUP CHECKLIST

This is the most important segment of the process. The goal is to ensure the Mac is tailored to the client’s needs, and that all Apps, features, and functions are tested and work properly. After we finish, as Steve Jobs would say, ‘It Just Works’.

• Apple ID – Sign back into Apple ID if needed.
• iCloud – Ensure iCloud options are correctly turned on or off.
• iCloud Drive – Check iCloud Drive and ‘Desktop and Documents’ sync status.
• Find My Mac – Turn on Find My Mac and Location Services.
• Media & Purchases – Check sign-in account name and payment data.
• Authorization – Use Apple ID to authorize the new Mac.
• Login – Set to Automatic Login or Require A Password per client preferences.
• Display – Set Display Resolution so text is easy to read.
• Apple Mail or Outlook – Setup all Mail accounts and test incoming and outgoing email. Set Classic or New look.
• Messages – Sign into Messages. Ensure connection to iPhone, iCloud Message sync, and SMS is turned on.
• FaceTime – Sign in to FaceTime. Ensure connection to iPhone. Setup User name and photo.
• Photos – Turn on Photos in the Cloud. Select ‘Download originals’ or ‘Optimized’. Check metadata option.
• Services – Sign in to streaming and subscription services.
• Music – Ensure Apple Music is working properly and all titles have transferred.
• Sound – Setup external speakers with digital audio.
• Licenses – Re-Activate any software licenses and check software is functioning properly.
• 64-Bit Apps – Download client Apps that are now available in 64-bit, e.g; Google Chrome.
• Microsoft Office – Create a Microsoft account and download the latest version of Office.
• Time Machine Backup – Create a new Time Machine backup with a recommended Samsung T7 or GDrive.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What should I do first with a new Mac?

• Unpack your new Mac on a flat surface. Take your time.
• Ensure you remove all the protective film covering both the body of the Mac and the display.
• Avoid touching the screen. Fingerprints are almost impossible to remove. A word of advice. When someone points at your screen, politely ask them not to touch it.
• Locate the power cable and plug it in. Leave it plugged in during the entire setup process.
• The Mac will start up and offer a choice of languages.
• Proceed through the setup screens until you reach the Migration Assistant.
• At this point, you need to determine if you are going to transfer all your data from an older Mac or if you’d prefer to create a new User.

How do I transfer everything to my new iMac?

There are several ways to transfer data from one Mac to another. The easiest way is to use Migration Assistant and a Time Machine backup.

Time Machine is an App that’s built into the macOS. It works by backing up your entire computer to an external hard drive.

If you want to set up Time Machine on your old Mac, you’ll need to buy an external drive. Watch our YouTube video ‘How To Pick A Backup Drive For The Mac’

Depending on your storage requirements we recommend using either a Samsung T7 SSD or a GDrive, but you can use any drive you like.

On your new Mac, follow the setup process step-by-step until you reach the Migration Assistant screen, then attach the backup drive, and follow the onscreen instructions.

Once the migration completes successfully, you can quickly move through the final set up steps.

If you use Apple Mail or Outlook you will need to log into each of your Mail accounts. This is irritating, but it’s for your own security.

We recommend the following minor tweaks:

Finder Settings

• Go to the Finder.
• In the toolbar menu choose Finder>Preferences.
• In the General tab, under the ’New Finder windows show’ dropdown change it from ‘Recents’ to your Home folder.
• In the Sidebar tab, put a checkmark next to your Home folder and place a checkmark next to External Disks. You want any disks you plug in to your Mac to show in the Finder.

Permanent Scroll Bars

• Click on the black Apple in the top left hand corner.
• Choose System Preferences.
• Click on General Settings.
• Under Show scroll bars, choose ‘Always’.

Can I set up a new Mac from an old one?

Yes, you can migrate the data from your old Mac using a Time Machine backup, network cable, or through wireless transfer.

Network and wireless data transfers are excruciatingly slow and may fail part way through the process.

We recommend using a Time Machine backup from your old Mac.

Depending on the type of Time Machine drive, the data transfer from the source can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. Be patient. Do not interrupt the process.

How do I setup my Mac laptop for the first time?

If you are a new User, follow the onscreen instructions to create a new User account.

Apple’s instructions are easy to follow and designed to help Users with minimal computer experience.

During the process you’ll need to sign into your wi-fi network, login to your Apple ID or create a new Apple ID, create an Administrator password, make a fingerprint scan, and answer some simple questions.

Once you are up and running you can: set up your email account(s), install Microsoft Office, and install any other Apps you need.

GETTING MORE OUT OF YOUR NEW MAC

Once setup is complete, we’re available to answer any questions you have. Just call (310) 621-5679.

If you’d like to know more about your Mac, consider taking one of our classes.