Transferring Mac apps from one Mac to another can be done easily and efficiently through the Mac App Store. This is possible due to the license agreement that allows downloading and installing of Mac OS X applications on all personal computers. However, you can also manually transfer applications over a network or external USB drive, but this is not suitable for all applications.
Transfer Applications via the Mac App Store
Following are the steps to transfer applications through the Mac App Store:
- Open the Mac App Store
- Click on the “Shopping” tab to list all installed Mac apps
- Find the apps you want to install on another Mac and click the “INSTALL” button alongside it
If you have not installed the applications on the current Mac, then the “INSTALL” button will appear. However, this may cause slow reloads for users with limited bandwidth. This method may also fail with some applications, making it unreliable in such situations.
Manually Transfer Applications Over the Network
It is only advisable to use this method when the app store will not suffice. Follow the below steps to manually transfer Mac applications over the network:
- Find the application you want to copy in /Applications/, and copy it to your desktop
- Open ~/Library/Application Support/ and find the application name, then copy the folder to your desktop
- Open /Library/Application Support/ and search for the same application name again. Copy this folder to your desktop but do not replace another version
- On the new Mac, click Command + Shift + K to open the “Connect to Server” menu. Click “Browse” and connect to the Mac you want to copy the application to
- Drag the .app and two Application Support folders to the new Mac
- Once on the new Mac, move the /Application Support/ folders to the appropriate locations, and drop the .app application in the /Applications/ folder
- Launch the application to confirm that it works
Some applications may not work with this method, like Adobe apps. However, more standalone applications like iTerm, Firefox, and Chrome work without any problems. For user-specific settings, it is advisable to copy the folders if you wish to keep it running with user settings.
Benefits of Transferring Mac Apps from One Mac to Another
- This guide is free to read
- Helpful for people who need to transfer applications from one Mac to another
- It explains two methods for transferring applications
Frequently Asked Questions about Transfer Mac Apps from One Mac to Another
What is this guide about?
This guide explains how to transfer Mac apps from one Mac to another, either via the Mac App Store or manually through transfer over a network.
How does this guide help me?
This guide helps you transfer your Mac apps to another Mac and enables you to save time setting up applications.
Which devices are supported for this guide?
This guide is supported by Apple devices only
Which operating systems are supported?
macOS and iOS are supported for this guide
Final Note: Transfer Mac Apps from One Mac to Another
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us through the comment section below or our contact page. This guide is only for educational purposes, and any misinformation should kindly be brought to our noticed for correction. If you have any other ways to transfer your Mac applications from one Mac to another, we would be happy to know!