What You Need to Set Up a New MacBook Air or MacBook Pro: Apple Account Credentials, Wi-Fi, Admin Password, Touch ID, FileVault and Moving From Your Old Laptop

“Setting up a new MacBook Air”, “setting up a new MacBook Pro” and “setting up a new MacBook from an old MacBook” are what new Mac owners search. Here is everything you need before you open the lid.

What to have ready

Your Apple Account (Apple ID) email and password and access to its verification codes; your Wi-Fi name and password; a name and password for the Mac's administrator account (you will type it to install apps and updates — write it down); and your old laptop or backup if you want to move files.

Step by step

Choose your country (Kenya) and language, join Wi-Fi, then decide whether to transfer data now. Sign in with your Apple Account, create the admin account, set up Touch ID by placing a finger on the power button, and turn on FileVault, which encrypts your files if the Mac is lost. Choose whether to share Siri and analytics, pick light or dark mode, and you're at the desktop.

Moving from an old Mac or a Windows laptop

From an old Mac, Migration Assistant moves your apps, files and settings — select it during setup or later in Applications › Utilities. From Windows, use Windows Migration Assistant: see moving files from Windows to MacBook.

After setup

Run Software Update in System Settings › General, install Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, sign in to iCloud Drive so your Desktop and Documents are backed up, and turn on Find My Mac. If you have an iPhone, AirDrop, copy-paste and iMessage now work across both.

Get help at Gadget Hub, Norwich Union House, 4th Floor

Gadget Hub is at Norwich Union House, opposite the Hilton Hotel, 4th Floor, Suite 15, Nairobi CBD (Mon–Sat 8am–8pm, Sun 10am–8pm). Buy your MacBook with us and we'll set it up and move your files from your old laptop before you leave. The set-up fee, where one applies, is confirmed before we start. WhatsApp or call 0729 585 471.