One of the best parts of owning a Mac® is the free operating system updates. The most recent macOS®, Big Sur, is available now and introduces many innovative features. However, it has system requirements, so you'll want to ensure your computer is compatible. To ready your device and determine if the program will run correctly, follow these tips independently or with computer service professional's help.

What You Need to Do Before Installing an OS Update

1. Determine Compatibility

The new macOS is sophisticated and requires at least 4 GB of RAM and 35.5 GB of hard drive space to operate. To determine your available space, click the Apple® icon in the top left corner of the screen. Next, click "About This Mac." You'll see your RAM and can click the Storage tab to see the amount of hard drive space.

To qualify for this update, you also must have one of the following models:

• MacBook® (2015 or later)
• MacBook Air® (2013 or later)
• MacBook Pro® (late 2013 or later)
• Mac mini® (2014 or later)
• iMac® (2014 or later)
• iMac Pro® (2017 or later)
• Mac Pro® (2013 or later)

Click the Apple Icon>About This Mac to see which model you have, or speak with a computer service professional.

Finally, check that your favorite apps are compatible with the update. Some developers may not have upgraded theirs to work with Big Sur yet, meaning the app may experience bugs. Read online reviews from users who have already updated to Big Sur, and if they list problems with apps you rely on every day, you may want to postpone the update.

2. Back Up Your Mac

You don't want to risk losing data during the upgrade, so back up your device to an external hard drive and iCloud®. To do so, connect the hard drive and launch Time Machine® from the apps menu. Click "Select Backup Disk" and select your external device. Time Machine will then back up your content.

Backing up to iCloud also ensures your data is available if your computer and hard drive crash. Click the Apple icon>System Preferences>Apple ID. Then, select and log in to iCloud and click "iCloud Drive" from the app list. Your device will then begin backing up your data.

3. Save Your Passwords

MacOS upgrades often reset app and browser data, so it won't save your passwords. As such, write all of them down before updating and use iCloud Keychain® if you aren't already. This free built-in password manager remembers passwords for all your websites and apps. Click the Apple icon>System Preferences>iCloud>Keychain and then enter your passwords and save existing ones.

You should consult a professional before upgrading to ensure everything goes smoothly, so contact SysQuick. Residents of Parkville, Baltimore, and the greater D.C. area of Maryland turn to this team for repairs and updates on their Mac devices. They handle computer virus removal and can help you improve your device based on your goals. Call (443) 231-5627 to speak with a technician today, and visit their website to learn more about their computer services.