iPhone will help with Mac setup in the future
Apple already makes setting up new iPhones reasonably convenient. Now you can also quickly switch to the Mac.
MacBook Air M4: Type less, get started faster.
(Image: Apple)
Together with the launch of MacBook Air M4 and Mac Studio 2025, Apple has also announced a new feature for its operating systems that was not yet known: macOS 15.4 and iOS 18.4 bring a new, simplified setup function. If you already have an iPhone, you can use it to transfer important data directly to a new Mac. Alternatively, you can also use an iPad with iPadOS 18.4.
Hold your iPhone up to it and off you go
“Users can simply hold their iPhone next to their Mac and sign in to their Apple account quickly and easily to transfer their files, photos, messages, passwords and more to their new MacBook Air,” writes Apple at – once again confirming the release date of macOS 15.4 and iOS 18.4, which is in April. Apple did not initially say how exactly the transfer would take place – i.e., whether it would only involve cloud data or material stored on the iPhone or iPad –.
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A migration assistant is already available for the Mac, iPhone, and iPad. This can be used to transfer data directly from a previous device using the local WLAN or a cable connection. The migration assistant on the Mac can also import existing backups on external storage media. The transfer from iPhone to iPhone in turn allows a simple upgrade to a new device, including all apps and stored data –. Only security-critical apps such as banking applications usually have to be set up again.
Interesting for Windows switchers
The new feature, which does not yet have an official name, combines Apple's mobile devices and Mac in a new way. It should also help to make it easier for users who have been using their iPhone on a Windows PC to switch to Apple computers, even if there is already a migration assistant for this.
Apple has not yet communicated whether all Macs will receive the function – including older Apple Silicon and Intel machines –. The feature was initially only mentioned in the press releases for the MacBook Air M4 and the Mac Studio M3 Ultra / M4 Max. Technically, however, this should not be a problem.
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