Moving to 64-bit software is generally a good thing. Catalina won’t run them at all.Īmong other things, 64-bit operating systems and apps can make use of more memory than older, 32-bit software 64-bit software can also sometimes run a bit faster and take advantage of newer security features. For the past year or so, macOS 10.13 High Sierra and 10.14 Mojave have displayed warnings when running 32-bit apps, even though that software would continue to run normally otherwise. Why won’t my apps run?Ĭatalina requires all software to be 64-bit-not just apps, but also all plugins and other code associated with those apps. Here’s why Catalina does this, how you can tell whether your apps will be affected, and what you can do about it. And not just in the “some things don’t work right but they can still run” sense, but in the “it’s not possible to run the apps at all anymore” sense. But as you may have heard, Catalina-unlike most macOS releases-breaks a lot of apps, especially older productivity software and games.
And like all macOS updates of the past few years, it’s available for free for all of the Macs that can run it.Īs with most macOS releases, it’s not a bad idea to wait until Apple releases Catalina’s 10.15.1 or 10.15.2 updates to fix the bugs that come with any major operating system upgrade. It allows Macs to run modified versions of iPad apps, adds new features like the Apple Arcade gaming subscription service and the Apple TV app, and makes useful (if minor) improvements to Photos, Notes, Reminders, and many of Apple’s other apps.
Updated with new information.In early October 2019, Apple released macOS 10.15 Catalina, a major update to the Mac operating system. Originally published earlier this summer. Step through the installation prompts to complete the installation.įor more on Catalina, see our list of five favorite MacOS 10.15 things as well as all the games you can play in Apple Arcade. Tap the Update - or Get - button to download the update.ģ. If you still don't see it, Apple may be doing a staggered update, so be patient while it rolls out.Ģ. If that doesn't work, from the Apple menu, choose About This Mac and tap Software Update to see if it appears. You can also search for "Catalina" in the store if you don't see it. If Catalina is available, you should see the new OS listed. Head to the Mac App Store, and in the left sidebar tap Updates.
Ready? Download and installĪfter you've completed your preparations, you're ready to download and install Catalina.ġ. If not, you'll either have to find a replacement or stick with your current MacOS so you can keep using the software. What that means is, if you have an older app you still use - say, Microsoft Office 11 for Mac - check that you have a 64-bit version of the app before you move to Catalina. With Catalina, Apple is turning off support for 32-bit apps. The download is big - around 6.5GB - and Apple said you should probably have about 20GB of free storage space to install Catalina. If not, get one, because you'll most likely need it during the Catalina setup process and logging into iCloud.Ĭheck your free storage space. If you're a Mac user, you probably have an Apple ID. You can either use the Mac's built-in Time Machine backup utility or grab a Mac backup app like Carbon Copy Cloner. Before you download and install any big MacOS update, have a good, current backup of the contents of your Mac's drive, in case something goes south during the installation or afterward and you need to revert back. Apple Card is here and this is what it looks likeīefore you download and install the MacOS update, ensure the move to Catalina goes as smoothly as possible.Apple's new iPhone challenge: Making modest upgrades sound like must-haves.