Transfer Quicken for Mac to new MacBook Air

Susie

I have a rather large Quicken file on current MacBook. New MacBook Air is coming tomorrow and I need specific instructions how to transfer the program and backup file to the new Mac. I am very nervous about this and need help!

Thank you!

Jon

The easiest way to install Quicken on your new Mac is to just log in to your account at Quicken.com and download the Mac installer. Or use Migration Assistant & let it move Quicken for you along with the rest of your Mac apps.

The easiest way to get your data file transferred over is to make a backup to a thumb drive on your old Mac, then move the thumb drive over to the new Mac, create a new data file on your new Mac, and select the "Restore a backup" option on the "Let's get started" screen. You'll probably need to re-enter the passwords for any accounts you have connected for downloads unless Migration Assistant moves those over for you.

Susie

Thanks so much for your help. have a G-drive. Does the backup file need to be compressed?

jacobs

No need to be nervous; this is easy. 😀

For the Quicken application, you can move it to the new Mac, but it's just as easy to download it on the new Mac from the Quicken website. Go to Quicken.com, log into your account (click Sign In, then My Account, then enter your email and password. This will bring you to the "Welcome to your account" page; scroll down to the Download Quicken section and click on Quicken for Mac to download the installer to your Mac. When it downloads, double-click on the installer and follow the instructions to install Quicken in your Applications folder.

For your data file, the safe way to move files between different computers is to wrap them in a .zip file. Simply locate your existing Quicken data file (if you don't know how to find it, post back and we can guide you), Control-click on it, and select Compress from the pop-up menu. Compress creates a .zip version of your file, and this .zip file is what you want to move to the new Mac. You can do that with AirDrop (which is usually fastest and easiest, if you've set your new Mac to be visible for AirDrop), with a flash drive, via email. Place the .zip file in the folder where you want your Quicken data file to live, double-click on the .zip file, and it will create the uncompressed .quicken data file. Double click this file to launch Quicken and get up and running.

That all said, are you moving everything on your old Mac to your new Mac? If so, you'll be doing that using Apple's Migration Assistant, which does a fantastic job of moving all your files and settings to the new Mac. If you do this, both the Quicken application and your data file (and backups) will be moved automatically and you don't need to do anything. Once your new Mac boots after Migration Assistant runs, it magically will look and behave just like your old Mac.

Susie

thank you so much! Sounds like I should do Migration Assistant and hope that takes care of it!

I don’t know how to Control-Click on a Mac without mouse

jacobs

Hold down Control and click the trackpad, the same as you would hold down Control and click your mouse.

Susie

thanks

Susie

Thank you. With help, it worked

jacobs

Yay. Enjoy your new MacBook Air!