How to Update macOS to Big Sur? How to Download & Install macOS 11.7 on Your Mac? [Upgrade & Compatibility]

Upgrading your Mac to macOS Big Sur is straightforward. Navigate to System Preferences, then Software Update, and select Upgrade Now. Follow the on-screen prompts and restart your Mac to complete the installation.

Big Sur offers compelling reasons for an upgrade, particularly concerning security and privacy. While not the newest macOS, it provides substantial security and performance improvements over its predecessors. Updating can also resolve performance bottlenecks, a benefit no user wants to miss.

For a deeper dive into macOS Big Sur, read on for expert advice.

Understanding macOS Big Sur

macOS Big Sur, released November 12, 2020, is a significant macOS release, bridging macOS Catalina and macOS Monterey. Marking a historic shift, Apple updated the operating system version number from 10 to 11, hence its alternative name, macOS 11.

macOS Big Sur's Key Enhancements

Big Sur boasts a wealth of new features and improvements:

• Refined User Interface: A refreshed UI design provides a more consistent look across the Apple ecosystem, including updated app icons.
• Revamped Safari: A faster, more customizable Safari experience includes enhanced privacy features to block trackers and safeguard passwords.
• Enhanced Maps App: Create and utilize custom guides, benefit from improved cycling route planning, and save favorite locations.
• Redesigned Messages App: Leveraging Mac Catalyst, the iOS Messages app is now available on macOS, with added search functions, pinning capabilities, and a Memoji editor.
• Improved Photos App: Expanded editing tools, including Retouch and Vibrance, plus captioning for added context.
• Updated Notes App: Includes pinning for important notes and new text styling options.

Should You Upgrade to Big Sur?

While upgrading has potential drawbacks (installation time, potential errors, and possible performance impacts on older Macs), the advantages generally outweigh the disadvantages.

Big Sur's benefits include:

• New Features: Access to exclusive features enhancing productivity and user experience.
• Enhanced Security and Privacy: Reflecting Apple's commitment to user safety.
• Improved Performance: Most users will notice speed improvements, and software updates address bugs and performance issues.
• Future Compatibility: Ensures compatibility with newer applications.

Preparing Your Mac for the Upgrade

Before upgrading to macOS 11, take these steps:

1. Compatibility Check: Verify your Mac model's compatibility using About This Mac in the Apple menu. Compatible models include MacBook (2015-2017), MacBook Air (mid-2013-2020), MacBook Pro (late 2013-2020), Mac mini (late 2014-2020), iMac (mid-2014-2021), all iMac Pro models, and Mac Pro (2013-2019).

2. Clean Your MacBook: Free up disk space. Use a tool like MacKeeper's Safe Cleanup to remove unnecessary files (logs, caches, etc.).

3. Back Up Your Mac: Protect your data using Time Machine or an external drive.

4. Check Free Space: Ensure at least 14.94 GB of free space is available. Use About This Mac > Storage to verify.

5. Apple ID: Locate your Apple ID and password for verification during the update.

Software Update Installation

For users upgrading from macOS Catalina or Mojave, Big Sur will appear as an update in Software Update. Click Upgrade Now and follow the instructions.

Clean Installation from Bootable USB

For a clean install (erasing existing data), follow these steps:

1. Download Big Sur: Download macOS Big Sur from the App Store.

2. Create Bootable USB: Use Terminal to create a bootable installer on a formatted USB drive. (Instructions provided in original text, replace "MyVolume" with your drive name).

3. Erase Startup Drive: Boot into Recovery Mode (Command R), open Disk Utility, and erase your main drive.

4. Install Big Sur: From the macOS Utilities menu, select Install macOS, choose the bootable USB drive, and follow the prompts.

Data Recovery

Should data loss occur, use data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery.

Final Recommendation: Upgrade Today!

While not the latest, Big Sur offers significant benefits, especially for pre-2020 Macs incompatible with newer versions. Remember to back up your data and ensure sufficient free disk space before proceeding. Tools like MacKeeper's Safe Cleanup can assist with this process.

FAQ

• Installation Time: 40 minutes to 3 hours, depending on hardware and internet speed.
• Catalina to Big Sur Upgrade: Yes, this is a common and supported upgrade path.
• Big Sur Release Date: November 12, 2020.

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