Whether you plan on installing a beta version of macOS Ventura or the public version when it is released, here are seven essential steps you must take before upgrading.
From ensuring your Mac’s compatibility to backing up your data, these steps will make the macOS upgrade as smooth as possible.
1. Ensure System Compatibility
Before getting excited about the update, ensure that your Mac supports macOS Ventura. Following the other steps in this list will be useless if your Mac doesn’t support the new operating system in the first place.
Open the Apple menu and click About This Mac to check the year your Mac came out. Then compare it to this complete list of Macs compatible with the macOS Ventura update:
MacBook: 2017 and later MacBook Air: 2018 and later MacBook Pro: 2017 and later iMac: 2017 and later iMac Pro: 2017 and later Mac mini: 2018 and later Mac Studio: 2020 Mac Pro: 2019 and later
2. Free Up Some Disk Space
The latest beta version of macOS Ventura was around 12GB, so expect a download around that size when the full version is released.
Though the macOS update itself is around 12GB, we recommend having 20GB to 25GB of free space for smooth functioning. Of course, you can get by with less free space, but this is the recommendation.
If you’re low on storage, open the Apple menu and click About This Mac > Storage > Manage to find ways to free up space on your Mac.
3. Ensure App Compatibility
It’s unlikely that many apps compatible with macOS Monterey will be incompatible with the new macOS Ventura, but it never hurts to check.
To do this, make a list of your most-used apps—feel free to exclude Apple’s apps since they will be compatible with the newer update. Now, search for whether the app is available with macOS Ventura or not.
If an app you need isn’t compatible, look for alternative apps or consider waiting until the app developer releases a new update to that app.
4. Back Up Your Mac
Backing up your Mac is the most crucial step, so do not skip it. The last thing you want is to lose all your data during the upgrade process.
You can use Time Machine to back up your Mac—this is a built-in app that comes with every Mac. It allows you to back up your entire system, including your apps, data, and settings. In case the update doesn’t go as expected, you can recover your backup and try installing macOS again.
5. Ensure Your Network Connection Is Secure and Reliable
Make sure that your network connection is both secure and reliable. There are two reasons for this. First, a sudden interruption in your connection could cause the update to fail, which can require you to start the process all over again. Second, even a small amount of data corruption could lead to problems when installing a new operating system.
To avoid these issues, it’s important to ensure that your network connection is as strong and reliable as possible. An easy way to achieve this is to use an Ethernet connection, which is generally much safer and more secure than wireless connections.
Alternatively, if you must use Wi-Fi, make sure that you’re using a private network, in a stable area, with a strong signal before beginning the update.
6. Ensure Your Mac Has Power
Nothing’s worse than your Mac dying in the middle of an update. If you’re using a MacBook, charge it to 100% first. However, even with a fully-charged Mac, it’s still better to keep your charger plugged in.
This is because macOS updates can sometimes take a while, and if your Mac runs out of power partway through an update, it could cause serious problems. Your Mac could end up stuck in a boot loop, or worse, it could become bricked and unusable.
And if you’re currently running low on power, it’s best to plug in your Mac before starting the update process. That way, you can be sure that your Mac will have enough power to finish the update successfully.
7. Keep Your Apple Credentials Ready
You might have to enter your Apple ID and password multiple times during your installation. First, your Apple ID is required to download the update from the App Store. Second, the update process will often require you to enter your password to authenticate the installation.
And finally, if you have any paid apps or subscriptions associated with your Apple ID, you’ll need to enter your password to keep them active after the update is installed. Not having your details with you could slow down your installation process, so be prepared in advance. Note down your credentials on a piece of paper, and keep them with you.
If you’ve forgotten your Apple ID or password, you can recover it from System Preferences or from the iCloud website.
Always Be Careful While Updating Your Mac!
Apple is known to have the most stable operating systems and software. However, you never know when something could go wrong. Make all the possible arrangements to minimize the chances of any sort of loss during the installation.
Having a backup can be a lifesaver in such conditions. But if you also make sure that your connection is secure and ensure your MacBook is fully charged and plugged in, you will be able to upgrade to macOS Ventura safely in no time.
