If you’re getting ready to install macOS Catalina on your Mac, you have some preparations to make and a few choices to make. While many people just download the new operating system and let the installer do its thing, it’s a much wiser choice to do a bit of housecleaning and preparation before you perform the upgrade.
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In this Rocket Yard guide we’re going to exam the two primary ways you can install macOS Catalina, as well as the preparations you should make before you update your Mac.
Types of Installs
Like most versions of the Mac OS, Catalina allows you to perform two types of installs: an upgrade install and a clean install. The same installer is used for both types but the steps involved are a bit different for each.
Clean Install: This type of installation is used when you want to completely remove all traces of a previous version of the OS. The clean install process includes erasing the Mac’s startup drive or the selected destination drive, removing any data it may have held, likely including all of your user data and applications.
The advantage is the ability of a clean install to let you start over, just as if you had just turned your Mac on for the first time.
You can find out more about performing a clean install with the guide:
How to Clean Install macOS Catalina
Upgrade Install: This is the most common type of installation. It allows you to keep all of your current apps, data, and many of the existing operating system settings and preferences. The upgrade install merges the new macOS Catalina with your existing Mac OS.
This is the upgrade method we will cover in this Rocket Yard guide.
The main reason why you get mac 10.15 update stuck is because your Mac is not compatible for the latest OS. Check if your Mac can get the new update. For MacBook users, it means a 2015 model or higher. Cannot install on External drives. If you try to launch macOS 10.15 in an external drive, you might be facing another of the 10.15 problems. The above article is written for the Mojave OS, but the process is the same for downgrading from macOS Catalina. If you need an earlier macOS installer you can find them here: macOS Mojave Installer; macOS High Sierra Installer; macOS Sierra Installer; Upgrading Notes. 64-Bit: MacOS Catalina supports only 64-bit applications. If you have any 32. There hasn’t really been any change to the process of taking a screenshot since the introduction of Mac OS X back in 2001. To work with Fusion drives and hard drives. With 64-bit apps. Expand the hard drive of your Mac with this the 8GB on this external hard drive. Transfer data fast via the USB 3.0 supported. The installation process is as simple as connecting the power adapter and USB cable and you can start working. As a Mac user, you will need to reformat it. Do this easily by following the application guide provided.
Before we begin the upgrade process, a few tips and notes about macOS Catalina and what you need to do to be ready for the install on your Mac.
Compatible Macs: If you’re running macOS Mojave, there’s a good chance your Mac is compatible with Catalina. The main exception is the 2010-2013 Mac Pro, which didn’t make the cut. You can find out more about Mac compatibility in the Rocket Yard guide:
A Complete List of Catalina Compatible Macs
Back Up Your Mac Before You Install
Although an upgrade install shouldn’t directly cause data loss, you should be prepared in case a problem arises when you install Catalina. A backup can allow you to get your Mac back up and running if something goes wrong. It can also serve as protection against the possibility of the new operating system removing any information you need.
Another bonus of having a backup is that it can serve as a way to downgrade from macOS Catalina should you discover Catalina isn’t for you, or an app you need no longer works, or your Mac just isn’t performing well with the new OS.
There are two popular backup methods you may consider employing: a Time Machine backup, and creating a clone of the current startup drive. Both are good choices for a backup before you install Catalina (or any new OS). I actually use both methods; a clone is a great way to quickly recover from a failed installation, and Time Machine can not only be used to recover individual files, it can also be used as a downgrade source if you need to return to a previous version of the Mac OS.
Be sure to have a current Time Machine backup, a clone, or both before proceeding.
Be Prepared for Downgrading
There may come a time after installing macOS Catalina that you wish to revert to an earlier version of the Mac OS. This could be for a number of reasons: an important app that doesn’t run under Catalina, an overall performance issue with your Mac and Catalina, or perhaps you just don’t like Catalina and want to go back.
The reason for downgrading really doesn’t matter, but there some things you should do now, before you ever install macOS Catalina, to make the downgrade process as easy as possible.
Be aware that although it’s possible to revert to an earlier version of the Mac OS, you may not be able to make use of specific app data files that could have been converted to new formats by the Catalina version of the application. This has the potential to force you to use older data files from a backup that may not contain all the information you had before beginning the downgrade process.
You can find out more in the article:
macOS Reversion: How to Downgrade from Mojave
The above article is written for the Mojave OS, but the process is the same for downgrading from macOS Catalina.
If you need an earlier macOS installer you can find them here:
- macOS Mojave Installer
- macOS High Sierra Installer
- macOS Sierra Installer
Upgrading Notes
64-Bit: MacOS Catalina supports only 64-bit applications. If you have any 32-bit apps they will not run under Catalina. I recommend checking with the app developer to make sure there’s a 64-bit version of a particular app before you install Catalina.
You can find out more in the Rocket Yard guide:
How to Tell if Your Mac’s Software is 32 or 64-Bit
APFS: macOS Catalina will change your startup drive to one formatted with APFS (Apple File System). The upgrade to APFS is not optional, and the upgrade will occur no matter what type of drive is involved: externals, Fusion, SSDs, or hard drives.
Clean Up: It’s a good idea to take a bit of time to clean up your Mac’s drives, trashing unneeded apps and files. Because you may be removing files, make sure you performed the backups first.
Verify Drives: You may also wish to consider verifying that your storage devices are in good working order. You can use Disk Utility to verify the integrity of a drive. There are also third-party apps that can perform these types of checks.
Upgrade Install macOS Catalina
We’ve gone through the process to get ready to install macOS Catalina, so now it’s time to perform the actual upgrade install. This is one of the easiest installs you can perform. The Catalina installer takes care of the entire process.
Start the upgrade process by quitting any currently running apps you may be using.
If you’re using macOS Mojave:
Launch System Preferences by clicking its icon in the Dock or selecting System Preferences from the Apple menu.
Select the Software Update preference pane.
The Software Update preference pane will appear, and after a few moments, will check for any new operating system updates. Once the check is performed you should see macOS Catalina listed as an available update.
Click or tap the Upgrade Now button to start downloading the Catalina installer.
Jump ahead to the section named Start the Install Process.
If you’re using macOS High Sierra or earlier:
Launch the App Store by clicking its icon in the Dock. You can also find the App Store in the /Applications folder.
Once the App Store opens, select the Featured tab.
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You’ll likely find macOS Catalina prominently displayed as the featured item. You may also be able to find it in the Quick Links section on the right-hand side.
Once you have found it, click the macOS Catalina tile or link to open its description.
Select the Download button to start downloading the installer.
Start the Install Process
Once the download is complete, the installer will automatically launch. If you haven’t yet created a current backup, or verified the integrity of your startup drive, you should quit the installer and perform those tasks before proceeding.
When you’re ready you can restart the installer by clicking on the Install macOS Catalina app in the /Applications folder.
The Catalina installer will present its welcome screen. Click or tap the Continue button to proceed.
The software license agreement will be displayed. Click or tap the Agree button.
A sheet will drop down asking you to confirm that you agree with the licensing terms. Click the Agree button.
The current startup drive will be displayed as the target for the upgrade install. If this is correct, click or tap the Install button.
You’ll likely see a dialog box open, explaining that your administrator password is needed in order to continue the install process. Enter your password and click or tap the OK button.
The installation process will start, as the installer copies any needed files to your Mac.
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After the files are copied, your Mac will restart.
The installation of macOS Catalina will continue. You should see a dark screen with an Apple logo, along with a status bar indicating the install progress. After a short time, an estimate of the time remaining will be displayed.
Eventually your Mac will display the login screen.
Select your login identity and enter the password.
Post Install
Once you log in to your Mac, you may see a message about your Mac being optimized; this will take a few minutes.
You may see some of the following post install options:
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Analytics: You’ll be asked if you wish to participate in providing Apple with analytics that help Apple and its developers improve their products. You can modify these settings later in the Security & Privacy preference pane.
Click the Continue button.
Screen Time: Screen Time configuration options are displayed. You can choose to skip over this step by clicking the Set Up Later text. To proceed, click the Continue button.
Siri:You can enable Siri by placing a checkmark in the Enable Siri box. Click the Continue button when ready.
Theme: You can choose from three themes: the classic Light Mode, Dark Mode, or Auto, which will change between light and dark mode depending on the time of day. Make your choice and click the Continue button.
The setup process is complete and your Mac’s desktop will be displayed.
Your Mac is all set. The new Catalina operating system has been installed and you’re ready to start exploring its many new features. You can find out more about Catalina’s capabilities in the following Rocket Yard guides:
- A First Look at macOS Catalina
- Voice Control Comes to macOS Catalina
- Rocking Out with the Music App in macOS Catalina
- 10 Non-Intrusive Security Changes in macOS Catalina
- macOS Catalina Features: Using Screen Time
- How to Enable Dark Mode in macOS Mojave and Catalina
- How to Use Sidecar to Unite Your Mac and iPad
Let us know what you think about macOS Catalina by posting a comment below.
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