Apple quietly drops $99 Mac data migration fee

Visiting an Apple Store to purchase a new Mac got $99 cheaper this month if part of that purchase required store staff perform a data migration for you. That's because Apple has quietly dropped the charge.

As TidBits reports, it used to be the case that if you took an old Mac in for repair, or purchased a new Mac and wanted the files from your old one transferring over, Apple would charge $99 to do it for you. However, tech consultant David Price discovered this month that the charge he expected to pay had been removed.

On contacting an Apple Store Operations Specialist, TidBits confirmed the charge has been dropped, with the official line being, "Beginning April 2, there will be no cost for Data Migrations with the purchase of a new Mac or Data Transfers with a repair."

It's unclear why Apple decided to stop charging for this service, but it may be because it's both a set-and-forget process and likely much less popular now due to the alternatives available including iCloud and Migration Assistant, which can be handled by the owner alone.

Moving content from one Mac $4,649.00 at Amazon to another has been made simple thanks to Apple's Migration Assistant, which handles transferring all of your documents, apps, user accounts, and settings. Simply open the Migration Assistant, follow the on-screen instructions, and let the software do the rest. iCloud is also available for storing all your important documents and information securely online with Apple.

Having the option for an Apple Store employee to handle the data migration for you is welcome, though, especially if you're trading in an old Mac for a new one. The fact it's now a free service could encourage more old Mac owners to recycle them through Apple as part of the purchase process.