On September 20th, 2016 Apple will release it’s new operating system, MacOS Sierra. There will be several new features included in the upgrade including Siri integration, optimized storage via iCloud Drive, a universal clipboard, and auto unlock via Apple Watch and Apple Pay. MacOS Sierra will be a free upgrade to current Mac users and will be available in the Mac App Store.

Not all machines will be able to install the new operating system. According to Apple, the cutoff sits at models that were released in late 2009 and later. With the release of MacOS Sierra nearing, here are some things you can do to make sure your Mac is ready to take the leap:

  1. Check to see if your Mac makes the cut
    • The very first thing to do is to see if your system is compatible with the MacOS Sierra upgrade. If your Mac is from early 2009 or earlier, you will not be able to enjoy the new upgrade. According to Apple, “All Macs introduced in 2010 or later are compatible. MacBook and iMac computers introduced in late 2009 are alsocompatible.”
    • The models that will be compatible are:
      • MacBook: late 2009 and later
      • MacBook Air: 2010 and later
      • MacBook Pro: 2010 and later
      • iMac: late 2009 and later
      • Mac Mini: 2010 and later
      • Mac Pro: 2010 and later
    • To find what year your computer was introduced, click the Apple in the upper-left corner and click About This Mac. Under your current OS, which will be displayed at the top of the window, you will see the year of your model next to the model name.
  2. Make sure you have room
    • There have been no official releases regarding the size of MacOS Sierra download, but Apple has been successful in continuing to shrink the size of the installer packages in recent years. OS X Yosemite was about 8GB, El Capitan was just over 6GB, and the public beta for Sierra sits just under 5GB.
    • Delete old apps or files you don’t need or use, or move some files and folders to the cloud via iCloud Drive or any other preferred cloud storage service you may use.
  3. Back up your Mac
    • Before performing major upgrades like installing a new OS, backing up your system to protect your data is always a safe practice. In the event that something goes wrong during the installation process, you won’t lose important files, photos and music if you have successfully backed up your machine. Macs include a tool called Time Machine, which makes backing up simple and easy.

Of course, Computer Repair in Tyler is always here to help you with installing MacOS Sierra, or any other software and system upgrades you are unsure about. Click here to see current upgrade alerts and a comprehensive list of software we can help you safely install. Call us at (903)858-4383 if you would like to schedule a time to bring your machine in to one of our expert technicians. We also offer on-site work if you are unable to make it to our storefront location on 1331 South Beckham Avenue, Tyler, TX.