|
Hello everybody! I stopped reading messages in all my Mac support groups when I got my iMac in 2018. Now I need you!
Now that I'm retired I use my iMac only for the basics. My iMac works just fine except that many websites now tell me they don't support my browsers. I knew this was coming!
I want to upgrade my OS from High Sierra to the latest. Then, of course, I'll need to upgrade my apps. And then learn how to work with the new stuff. Can I do it all myself? Can you tell me exactly what to do? Or refer me to a resource? If this has all been covered here before, tell me where/how to look.
Thanks,
Patsy
|
According to MacTracker Apple didn't release a new iMac in 2018. ?So the first thing to do is verify which Mac you have. ?The following should tell you the model and year.
Apple > About this Mac
Next, find out what is the latest version of macOS that is compatible with your Mac. ?One way is to go to the following Apple Support webpage and see the section, "Find out whether you can upgrade macOS", near the bottom. ?It contains a list of links at which you can determine whether your Mac is compatible with various macOS versions.
Alternatively, download the latest version of Mactracker. ?In Mactracker, select "This Device" at the top of the sidebar. ?In the main window, select the Software tab, and see "Maximum OS". ?That is the latest macOS version that your Mac supports.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 21, 2025, at 2:47?PM, Patsy Price via groups.io <beyondwords@...> wrote:
Hello everybody! I stopped reading messages in all my Mac support groups when I got my iMac in 2018. Now I need you!
Now that I'm retired I use my iMac only for the basics. My iMac works just fine except that many websites now tell me they don't support my browsers. I knew this was coming!
I want to upgrade my OS from High Sierra to the latest. Then, of course, I'll need to upgrade my apps. And then learn how to work with the new stuff. Can I do it all myself? Can you tell me exactly what to do? Or refer me to a resource? If this has all been covered here before, tell me where/how to look.
--
Bev in TX
|
Hi, I would recommend upgrading to the highest macOS you can go t, because at macOS 10.15, Catalina, the OS switches to only 64-bit, meaning that you will have to purchase new software. And you may have to again purchase some of that when moving past that. That will minimize your expenses on new versions of software licenses and subscriptions.
Last year, I moved to Catalina, to try to keep the browsers working, but I am limited again as to which browsers are available and which are still accepted on certain sites.?
I suggest that you only jump one or two OS at a time to minimize the hassles. There are some converters buried in the upgrades, that convert your docs and data as you move up the line for both built-in and third-party software. I believe there is a “catch” in moving from Mojave to Catalina for MS Office for the purchase version, rather than the subscription. Mail is another. The stuff in iTunes becomes several different apps, and there is a learning curve of both vocabulary and workflow changes that need to be learned. I would definitely research upgrading the 2 or 3 most important apps that you use, before advancing.?
Oh, btw, there is no 2018 iMac, so I assume you have one of the four 2017 versions.
Brent ?
On my late 2012 Mac mini running 10.15.7?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hello everybody! I stopped reading messages in all my Mac support groups when I got my iMac in 2018. Now I need you!
Now that I'm retired I use my iMac only for the basics. My iMac works just fine except that many websites now tell me they don't support my browsers. I knew this was coming!
I want to upgrade my OS from High Sierra to the latest. Then, of course, I'll need to upgrade my apps. And then learn how to work with the new stuff. Can I do it all myself? Can you tell me exactly what to do? Or refer me to a resource? If this has all been covered here before, tell me where/how to look.
Thanks,
Patsy
|
Patsy Price wrote: I stopped reading messages in all my Mac support groups when I got my iMac in 2018. Now I need you!
Now that I'm retired I use my iMac only for the basics. My iMac works just fine except that many websites now tell me they don't support my browsers. I knew this was coming!
I want to upgrade my OS from High Sierra to the latest. Mactracker says that a 2018-model-year iMac can run up to the "Latest release of macOS 13 Ventura”, but no further. Then, of course, I'll need to upgrade my apps. And then learn how to work with the new stuff. Can I do it all myself? Can you tell me exactly what to do? Or refer me to a resource? If this has all been covered here before, tell me where/how to look.
For updating apps, I personally use, and recommend, MacUpdater: <>
Of course, by now it could be that some of your apps cannot BE updated…
--? Jim Saklad jimdoc@...
|
If the op is going from 10.13 to 13, I would definitely be considering backing up the entire drive and doing a clean install.
But, then that’s probably just me.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 22 Mar 2025, at 8:44?am, Jim Saklad via groups.io <jimdoc@...> wrote:
Patsy Price wrote: I stopped reading messages in all my Mac support groups when I got my iMac in 2018. Now I need you!
Now that I'm retired I use my iMac only for the basics. My iMac works just fine except that many websites now tell me they don't support my browsers. I knew this was coming!
I want to upgrade my OS from High Sierra to the latest. Mactracker says that a 2018-model-year iMac can run up to the "Latest release of macOS 13 Ventura”, but no further. Then, of course, I'll need to upgrade my apps. And then learn how to work with the new stuff. Can I do it all myself? Can you tell me exactly what to do? Or refer me to a resource? If this has all been covered here before, tell me where/how to look.
For updating apps, I personally use, and recommend, MacUpdater: <>
Of course, by now it could be that some of your apps cannot BE updated…
--?
Jim Saklad
jimdoc@...
|
Patsy Price wrote: Then, of course, I'll need to upgrade my apps. And then learn how to work with the new stuff. Can I do it all myself? Can you tell me exactly what to do? Or refer me to a resource? If this has all been covered here before, tell me where/how to look.
I replied: For updating apps, I personally use, and recommend, MacUpdater: <>
Of course, by now it could be that some of your apps cannot BE updated…
If “future-proofing” is a concept you subscribe to, moving to Apple Silicon will definitelyi ne in your future, sooner or later.
A refurbished Apple Silicon M1 iMac (2021) is available on Amazon for $700.
An Apple-refurbished Apple Silicon M4 iMac (2024) can be bought from Apple for $1100 (eligible for Applecare warranty).
jimdoc@...
|
My copy of MacTracker (7.13.5) shows four versions of 2017 iMac, and the next entry is 2019, similar to what Bev said. The four versions had different maximum OSes.?
MacUpdater is a good idea, but how does it handle paid versions? I also like you comment about future proofing in a another reply you made, if the person has the finances to do so. Don’t forget the cost of some replacement software, accessories (say if the printer stops working, and new cables and adapters, or case for things like phones or laptops,
Brent ?
On my late 2012 Mac mini running 10.15.7?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 21, 2025, at 2:44 PM, Jim Saklad via < jimdoc@...> wrote:
Patsy Price wrote: I stopped reading messages in all my Mac support groups when I got my iMac in 2018. Now I need you!
Now that I'm retired I use my iMac only for the basics. My iMac works just fine except that many websites now tell me they don't support my browsers. I knew this was coming!
I want to upgrade my OS from High Sierra to the latest. Mactracker says that a 2018-model-year iMac can run up to the "Latest release of macOS 13 Ventura”, but no further. Then, of course, I'll need to upgrade my apps. And then learn how to work with the new stuff. Can I do it all myself? Can you tell me exactly what to do? Or refer me to a resource? If this has all been covered here before, tell me where/how to look.
For updating apps, I personally use, and recommend, MacUpdater: <>
Of course, by now it could be that some of your apps cannot BE updated…
|
Thanks for replies so far. I'm keeping some to ponder.
I don't think I've ever purchased any software for this iMac. The most important apps I use: Browsers: Brave, Safari, Chrome (when nothing else works) Preview Notes LibreOffice Numbers Grab iTunes (nothing of note downloaded on my computer) For email I use my ISP's webmail. And that's where I back up some important files. Pretty basic! I still use old versions of Photoshop & Illustrator on my old iMac when I really need a feature. And I still occasionally use other apps (e.g., PageMaker) on my old iMac to update some docs.
From: "Brent via groups.io" <whodo678@...> To: "MacSupportCentral" < [email protected]> Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 3:41:49 PM Subject: Re: [macsupportcentral] Upgrade OS from High Sierra on 2018 iMac Hi, I would recommend upgrading to the highest macOS you can go t, because at macOS 10.15, Catalina, the OS switches to only 64-bit, meaning that you will have to purchase new software. And you may have to again purchase some of that when moving past that. That will minimize your expenses on new versions of software licenses and subscriptions.
Last year, I moved to Catalina, to try to keep the browsers working, but I am limited again as to which browsers are available and which are still accepted on certain sites.?
I suggest that you only jump one or two OS at a time to minimize the hassles. There are some converters buried in the upgrades, that convert your docs and data as you move up the line for both built-in and third-party software. I believe there is a “catch” in moving from Mojave to Catalina for MS Office for the purchase version, rather than the subscription. Mail is another. The stuff in iTunes becomes several different apps, and there is a learning curve of both vocabulary and workflow changes that need to be learned. I would definitely research upgrading the 2 or 3 most important apps that you use, before advancing.?
Oh, btw, there is no 2018 iMac, so I assume you have one of the four 2017 versions.
Brent ?
On my late 2012 Mac mini running 10.15.7?
Hello everybody! I stopped reading messages in all my Mac support groups when I got my iMac in 2018. Now I need you!
Now that I'm retired I use my iMac only for the basics. My iMac works just fine except that many websites now tell me they don't support my browsers. I knew this was coming!
I want to upgrade my OS from High Sierra to the latest. Then, of course, I'll need to upgrade my apps. And then learn how to work with the new stuff. Can I do it all myself? Can you tell me exactly what to do? Or refer me to a resource? If this has all been covered here before, tell me where/how to look.
Thanks,
Patsy
|
I was trained to do a clean install and always did it till this computer. But now I'm really afraid of trying it. What are the dangers if I don't? I do want to do a complete backup. I'm afraid of that too, but afraid not to. I'll buy a hard drive, probably locally at a Canadian retailer. They're a whole lot cheaper than they used to be! I have just about 100 GB on a 1.03 TB internal drive. And I can clean part of that off. New everything will take up more space. So I was thinking of a drive around 250 GB. Patsy
From: "Christopher Collins via groups.io" <maclist@...> To: "macsupportcentral" < [email protected]> Sent: Friday, March 21, 2025 3:50:58 PM Subject: Re: [macsupportcentral] Upgrade OS from High Sierra on 2018 iMac If the op is going from 10.13 to 13, I would definitely be considering backing up the entire drive and doing a clean install. But, then that’s probably just me. cjc On 22 Mar 2025, at 8:44?am, Jim Saklad via groups.io <jimdoc@...> wrote:
Patsy Price wrote: I stopped reading messages in all my Mac support groups when I got my iMac in 2018. Now I need you!
Now that I'm retired I use my iMac only for the basics. My iMac works just fine except that many websites now tell me they don't support my browsers. I knew this was coming!
I want to upgrade my OS from High Sierra to the latest. Mactracker says that a 2018-model-year iMac can run up to the "Latest release of macOS 13 Ventura”, but no further. Then, of course, I'll need to upgrade my apps. And then learn how to work with the new stuff. Can I do it all myself? Can you tell me exactly what to do? Or refer me to a resource? If this has all been covered here before, tell me where/how to look.
For updating apps, I personally use, and recommend, MacUpdater: <> Of course, by now it could be that some of your apps cannot BE updated…
--?
Jim Saklad
jimdoc@...
|
If the problem is browsers that are not supported, perhaps all you need to to is update the browser. ?I have macs at 10.13, 10.14, 12.6 and 14.6. ?They all work fine with the latest versions of the software they can run, and with very few exceptions, the more up to date Macs are not better at anything. ?
|
Whichever way you do the upgrade, please backup your data before performing the upgrade. ?It is a major leap forward from macOS High Sierra 10.13 to macOS Ventura 13. ?Your system drive will automatically be reformatted as AFPS, with two (2) volumes, system and data (introduced in macOS 10.15 Catalina). ?Due to Apple's bidirectional firm links, the two volumes appear as one in Finder, but show separately in Disk Utility. ?
I don't use iCloud because I have a lot of data and it's a subscription service. ?So I always do two (2) separate backups: a clone and Time Machine. ?Another possibility is a cloud backup service such as Backblaze (I've never used them, I've only heard them mentioned). ?That's probably also a subscription.
Given the amount of data you have, you could make a clone on a 256 GB USB flash drive, as they are very inexpensive theses days. ?Randy always recommends SuperDuper, which is free to use without some of its bells and whistles that are probably unnecessary in this scenario.
Whichever way you do the backups, verify that you can recover data from them before doing the upgrade.
Erasing your disk is part of a clean upgrade, so it is a bit more involved than doing an upgrade in place. ?A fully clean upgrade would also include a new installation of any apps that don't come with macOS. ?Because of that, you would need to restore all data from backup and reset all of your system and app preferences/settings. ?I used my 2010 MacBook Pro for 10 years and never did a clean upgrade, all with no problems. ?Other folks always do clean upgrades, because they think that clean upgrades can prevent some kinds of problems.
Just a few of the other changes you'll see (far from complete): Mojave: ... Grab replaced by Screenshot app. ... New apps introduced: News, Stocks, Voice Memos and Home.
Catalina: ...?32-bit apps not supported.? ... iTunes was replaced by separate Music, Podcasts, TV and Books apps, in line with iOS. iOS device management is now conducted via Finder. ... Find My Mac and Find My Friends are merged into an application called Find My. ... in Terminal, Z shell (executable "zsh") is the default login shell for new users.
Big Sur: ... New Time Machine backup destinations are formatted as APFS. ... New Shortcuts app. ...?Live Text, which allows a user to copy, paste, translate and look up text from images (something that I use almost every day). ...?New Passwords Manager ... Visual Look Up makes it easy to identify objects (e.g. cat breeds, dog breeds, etc.) found within user's photos.
Ventura: ... Stage Manager?keeps the app you’re working with front and center, and your desktop clutter-free (personally don't like it, but maybe I just didn't use it enough) ... New apps Clock, Freeform, and Weather? ... System Preferences was renamed to System Settings and got a new tabbed interface. ?It was re-organized based on the iOS/iPadOS Settings app.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 21, 2025, at 6:32?PM, Patsy Price via groups.io <beyondwords@...> wrote:
I was trained to do a clean install and always did it till this computer. But now I'm really afraid of trying it. What are the dangers if I don't? I do want to do a complete backup. I'm afraid of that too, but afraid not to. I'll buy a hard drive, probably locally at a Canadian retailer. They're a whole lot cheaper than they used to be! I have just about 100 GB on a 1.03 TB internal drive. And I can clean part of that off. New everything will take up more space. So I was thinking of a drive around 250 GB.
--
Bev in TX
|
Thank you, Bev.
I have added your notes on the changes to the various OSes to my spreadsheet, Please tell me, how you gathered them up. What search term did you use, or what source?
Interesting, I never found a need for Grab, and did not even notice that Screenshot.app replaced it, since I have been using screenshots keystrokes for ages.
We have slight variations in what we suggest, but it all depends on the individual their needs and their personal workflow.?
A clean install will remove any detritus left over from prior OSes and work, but this amounts to such a small amount of storage.It is almost never an issue, and I can’t cite a documented instance, where any of that left over bits caused a problem or conflict in operation. My opinion is that the leftover bits are the bits that a shared between multiple applications, _probably_ mostly third party software. Apple shares a lot of info and code between things like Contacts, Phone, Mail and Maps. Now think of Microsoft or Adobe, you may have several modules, and remove one. You don’t want to remove the shared code or data, because it would cripple the ones you are keeping, so the uninstallers are written to leave those shared bits.?
Brent ?
On my late 2012 Mac mini running 10.15.7?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Whichever way you do the upgrade,?please?backup your data before performing the upgrade. ?It is a major leap forward from macOS High Sierra 10.13 to macOS Ventura 13. ?Your system drive will automatically be reformatted as AFPS, with two (2) volumes, system and data (introduced in macOS 10.15 Catalina). ?Due to Apple's bidirectional firm links, the two volumes appear as one in Finder, but show separately in Disk Utility. ?
I don't use iCloud because I have a lot of data and it's a subscription service. ?So I always do two (2) separate backups: a clone and Time Machine. ?Another possibility is a cloud backup service such as Backblaze (I've never used them, I've only heard them mentioned). ?That's probably also a subscription.
Given the amount of data you have, you could make a clone on a 256 GB USB flash drive, as they are very inexpensive theses days. ?Randy always recommends SuperDuper, which is free to use without some of its bells and whistles that are probably unnecessary in this scenario.
Whichever way you do the backups, verify that you can recover data from them before doing the upgrade.
Erasing your disk is part of a clean upgrade, so it is a bit more involved than doing an upgrade in place. ?A fully clean upgrade would also include a new installation of any apps that don't come with macOS. ?Because of that, you would need to restore all data from backup and reset all of your system and app preferences/settings. ?I used my 2010 MacBook Pro for 10 years and never did a clean upgrade, all with no problems. ?Other folks always do clean upgrades, because they think that clean upgrades can prevent some kinds of problems.
Just a few of the other changes you'll see (far from complete): Mojave: ... Grab replaced by Screenshot app. ... New apps introduced: News, Stocks, Voice Memos and Home.
Catalina: ...?32-bit apps not supported.? ... iTunes was replaced by separate Music, Podcasts, TV and Books apps, in line with iOS. iOS device management is now conducted via Finder. ... Find My Mac and Find My Friends are merged into an application called Find My. ... in Terminal, Z shell (executable "zsh") is the default login shell for new users.
Big Sur: ... New Time Machine backup destinations are formatted as APFS. ... New Shortcuts app. ...?Live Text, which allows a user to copy, paste, translate and look up text from images (something that I use almost every day). ...?New Passwords Manager ... Visual Look Up makes it easy to identify objects (e.g. cat breeds, dog breeds, etc.) found within user's photos.
Ventura: ... Stage Manager?keeps the app you’re working with front and center, and your desktop clutter-free (personally don't like it, but maybe I just didn't use it enough) ... New apps Clock, Freeform, and Weather? ... System Preferences was renamed to System Settings and got a new tabbed interface. ?It was re-organized based on the iOS/iPadOS Settings app.
|
I see that I made a mistake. ?When editing the way things looked, I accidentally combined macOS Monterey changes under Big Sur :-(. ?It should have said:
Big Sur: ... New Time Machine backup destinations are formatted as APFS.
Monterey: ... New Shortcuts app. ... Live Text, which allows a user to copy, paste, translate and look up text from images (something that I use almost every day). ... New Passwords Manager ... Visual Look Up makes it easy to identify objects (e.g. cat breeds, dog breeds, etc.) found within user's photos.
I captured most of it from Wikipedia. ?It has a general macOS page, as well as an individual one for almost all macOS versions. ?They have a Changes section on most of the individual macOS version pages. ?They often have extensive references to articles, which can be used to garner more info.
I tried to keep things short, so I omitted some items that may be very pertinent to some folks. ?For example, in Mojave the system drive is automatically converted from HFS+ to APFS, but all on the same volume. ?I didn't include that because she wants to upgrade to the latest possible version for her system, and that includes the automatic split of system and data to separate APFS volumes (Catalina). ?And some folks might find dark mode (Mojave) critical to them. ?(Strangely, I just realized that I always use dark mode on my iPad and iPhone, but not my Mac.) ?
For the latest macOS versions, Apple provides rather complete change lists on their "What's New in ..." webpages, but no references: Sequoia:? Sonoma:? Ventura:? Monterey:? Big Sur:?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 22, 2025, at 1:31?PM, Brent via groups.io <whodo678@...> wrote:
I have added your notes on the changes to the various OSes to my spreadsheet, Please tell me, how you gathered them up. What search term did you use, or what source?
Interesting, I never found a need for Grab, and did not even notice that Screenshot.app replaced it, since I have been using screenshots keystrokes for ages.
We have slight variations in what we suggest, but it all depends on the individual their needs and their personal workflow.?
A clean install will remove any detritus left over from prior OSes and work, but this amounts to such a small amount of storage.It is almost never an issue, and I can’t cite a documented instance, where any of that left over bits caused a problem or conflict in operation. My opinion is that the leftover bits are the bits that a shared between multiple applications, _probably_ mostly third party software. Apple shares a lot of info and code between things like Contacts, Phone, Mail and Maps. Now think of Microsoft or Adobe, you may have several modules, and remove one. You don’t want to remove the shared code or data, because it would cripple the ones you are keeping, so the uninstallers are written to leave those shared bits.?
--
Bev in TX
|
On Mar 22, 2025, at 7:23 AM, Bayswater via groups.io <Bayswater@...> wrote:
If the problem is browsers that are not supported, perhaps all you need to to is update the browser. I very much agree. I think that Patsy will be overwhelmed by backing up, upgrading her OS, and then sorting out all of her software that needs to be replaced. I used to recommend that folks routinely upgrade their OS, but now I recommend that you stand pat unless there is something really important that a new OS will bring you. I especially recommend standing pat for seniors. Patsy has an 8 year old Macintosh. She will likely need a new Mac in two to three years. When the day comes that she has purchased a new Mac, she can use Migration Assistant to move all of her data to a new Mac. For now all that she needs is to download a Web browser that works reliably under High Sierra. This one is made to order: Chromium-legacy (free) "(Chrome stable channel)" for Mac OS X 10.7 to macOS 10.14 Download page: __________________________________________________ Randy B. Singer Co-author of The Macintosh Bible (4th, 5th, and 6th editions) Essential But Hard To Find Macintosh Software and Advice __________________________________________________
|
Thank you, Bev for the corrections and your search methods. I am always trying to improve my methods, so comparing to others is usually a help. And yes, we all focus of different things.?
Another respondent suggested?Chromium-legacy, a browser upgrade. While navigating that site might be easy for him, it was not for me, and I am moderately tech-literate. Luckily I only needed it while I moved from Lion to Catalina.?
Brent ?
On my late 2012 Mac mini running 10.15.7?
|
Brent
Jim Saklad