Apple releases major macOS upgrades annually, bringing hundreds of new features to your Mac. Apple’s tight integration between hardware, OS & apps means it’s vital to keep up-to-date. Upgrades are free, and most users upgrade quickly. You’ll need to have the latest macOS to use many new business & creative apps, as well as full compatibility with iPhone & iPad. Learn more about the latest macOS features.
Tips to make your upgrade smooth
The latest macOS makes some big changes under the hood. Many apps over 5 years old may no longer work.
Apple takes your privacy seriously, so from now on you’ll be asked if you want to show app notifications, download from a site, or allow apps to use functions. If something isn’t working, go to System Preferences – Security & Privacy. Click General and look for a button to Allow.
Also check the Privacy tab where you’ll see which apps have access to contacts, camera, location & more. Click Accessibility and check boxes for apps you need. See special instructions to authorize Google Drive, Dropbox, Parallels, TeamViewer & Backblaze.
Before you upgrade macOS
- Check your backup. It’s Step 1 before any upgrade. You might consider setting up Time Machine backups.
- Upgrade your apps. Many apps over 3 years old aren’t compatible. See instructions for updating Adobe, Microsoft, App Store and other apps. If necessary, purchase new subscriptions for Adobe Creative Cloud ($53/month) or Microsoft 365 ($7/month). You might consider less-expensive alternatives.
- Find a good time and place for the upgrade. You’ll want to take advantage of the fastest internet and make plenty of time for the download. If your office has an Apple server this may speed up the process.
- Or have Creative Tech Support do it for you. Our standard macOS upgrade is just $140, including software & labor. We’ll make sure your hardware & software are ready. And we’ll come prepared with the latest macOS and all update patches, saving you hours of downloads per Mac. Then we'll install our set of apps, internet plug-ins and other utilities, and make sure everything works correctly.
Installing macOS upgrades
Control how updates are installed. Click the Apple menu and choose System Preferences then Software Update. You can set your Mac to automatically check for updates. For more control, we recommend click Advanced, then uncheck Install macOS updates. New software automatically downloads, but will wait for you to click Upgrade Now at a time best for you.
Now you’re ready to explore the new macOS features!
