Having a current backup is a must before you install macOS Catalina.Īnother 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. It can also serve as protection against the possibility of the new operating system removing any information you need. A backup can allow you to get your Mac back up and running if something goes wrong. You can find out more about Mac compatibility in the Rocket Yard guide:Ī Complete List of Catalina Compatible Macs Back Up Your Mac Before You InstallĪlthough an upgrade install shouldn’t directly cause data loss, you should be prepared in case a problem arises when you install Catalina. The main exception is the 2010-2013 Mac Pro, which didn’t make the cut. This is the upgrade method we will cover in this Rocket Yard guide.īefore 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.Ĭompatible Macs: If you’re running macOS Mojave, there’s a good chance your Mac is compatible with Catalina. The upgrade install merges the new macOS Catalina with your existing Mac OS. It allows you to keep all of your current apps, data, and many of the existing operating system settings and preferences. Upgrade Install: This is the most common type of installation.

You can find out more about performing a clean install with the guide: 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. 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 same installer is used for both types but the steps involved are a bit different for each.Ĭlean Install: This type of installation is used when you want to completely remove all traces of a previous version of the OS. Like most versions of the Mac OS, Catalina allows you to perform two types of installs: an upgrade install and a clean install. 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.

How to upgrade mac os