5 Things to Know Before Upgrading to macOS 14 Sonoma
From this article, you will learn 5 things you should know before upgrading to the latest macOS Sonoma.
As expected, Apple revealed the macOS 14 - macOS Sonoma at WWDC 2023 on June 5, 2023. Like previous years, Apple introduced a number of new features and improvements to the new macOS to elevate your productivity and creativity.
If you're eager to experience the features of macOS Sonoma, please be patient. Let's first go through a few things you should know before upgrading to macOS Sonoma.
1. What Are the Highlights of macOS Sonoma?
macOS 14 Sonoma brings some new features and improvements. Here are some highlights of the new macOS:
- Interactive Widgets: You can place widgets on your desktop, and widgets blend seamlessly with the wallpaper while you work in apps.
- More Games: Pouplar games like Death Stranding are coming to Mac.
- Game Mode: Mac prioritizes CPU and GPU resources for a better gaming experience.
- More Engaging Video Conference: You can put yourself front and center, float over your shared screen, and even share multiple apps when on a video call.
- New slow-motion screen savers.
- Add webpages to the Dock just like apps.
- Further improvements to privacy and security concerns.
2. Should I Upgrade to macOS Sonoma?
Now that you know what's new in macOS Sonoma, you might be wondering if you should upgrade to the new macOS.
The final version of macOS Sonoma will be available to the public on Tuesday, September 26.
As you know, new macOS is often full of bugs that can cause issues with your WiFi, Bluetooth, battery, and apps, or even slow down your Mac performance. Our advice is, if you're not a macOS fan, or if you're not doing it for work, wait until the official release.
3. What Are the System Requirments for macOS Sonoma?
If you still want to upgrade to macOS Sonoma, first check to see if your Mac is supported. Here are the Macs that are compatible with macOS Sonoma.
- iMac (2019 and later)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- MacBook Air (2018 and later)
- MacBook Pro (2018 and later)
- Mac Mini (2018 and later)
- Mac Pro (2019 and later)
- Mac Studio (2022 and later)
4. How Much Space Does macOS Sonoma Take Up?
Now that you've confirmed that your Mac is supported, let's see how much space you should reserve to download and install macOS Sonoma.
The macOS Sonoma installer is approximately 13 GB. However, it's important to reserve additional space for the installation process. Therefore, to ensure a smooth installation, we strongly recommend having 20 GB to 30 GB of free space.
To check the amount of available space on your Mac, follow these steps: click the Apple menu > System Preferences > General > Storage.
If you don't have enough storage space to upgrade to macOS Sonoma, you can free up more space by deleting unnecessary files from your Mac. Alternatively, you can utilize a tool like BuhoCleaner to assist you. BuhoCleaner is an easy-to-use Mac cleaner that can help clear cache files from the system and apps, delete large and duplicate files, uninstall unwanted apps, and analyze your disk space. With just a few clicks, you can reclaim gigabytes of space. Click the button below to clean up your Mac now.
5. How to Download and Install macOS Sonoma
Step #1. Back Up Your Mac
As mentioned earlier, the current release of macOS Sonoma is still unstable and has several potential issues. To avoid any problems during the upgrade, you'd better back up your Mac first. Common backup methods include Time Machine (official), external hard drives, iCloud, and third-party backup software.
Additionally, it is recommended to delete unnecessary files before backing up to reduce the backup file size and time required. BuhoCleaner is a great option for cleaning your Mac. It's worth a try.
Step #2. Sign in to the Apple Developer Center
- Go to https://developer.apple.com/.
- Click the Account option in the top right corner of your screen and sign in with your Apple ID.
Step #3. Download and Install macOS Sonoma
Once you have completed the previous steps, you can proceed to download and install macOS Sonoma. The steps may vary slightly depending on your current macOS Ventura version.
On macOS Ventura 13.4 or Later
- Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Click General > Software Update.
- Click the "i" icon next to Beta updates.
- Select macOS Sonoma Developer Beta and click Done.
- Go back to the Software Update window and click Upgrade Now.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS Sonoma.
On macOS Ventura 13.3 or Earlier
If you're using macOS Ventura 13.3 or earlier, you'll need to download the macOS Beta Access Utility and run it to get the macOS Beta.
- Download the macOS Beta Access Utility.
- Double-click the .dmg file you downloaded.
- Run the installer to turn on Beta Update.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Want to download the macOS Sonoma beta installer directly? Click on the downloadable link below, run the InstallAssistant.pkg file you downloaded and you will find an app named Install macOS 14 beta in the Applications folder.
The Bottom Line
Now you know the five things you should know before upgrading to macOS Sonoma. Are you ready to upgrade?
It is worth mentioning that the macOS Sonoma beta version may have unexpected bugs. If you're unhappy with your new macOS after upgrading, you can downgrade it to an earlier version. This is why we can't stress enough the importance of backing up your Mac.
Clare Weaver has been captivated by the world of Apple products since the launch of iconic iPhone in 2007. With a wealth of experience, Clare is your go-to source for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and all things Apple.
