What to do before upgrading to macOS Catalina ?

[Rod]

Well folks the time is here, apart from the obvious decision whether to upgrade yet or not what should we do before upgrading if that's what you decide to do?
I know what I have done, I'd love to compare notes with everyone else.
If you have a checklist that is specific to this upgrade please post it here.
I will compile a list of my own actions so far and publish it here today as soon as I think its complete.

 

[MacInWin]

1. Backup
2. Test the backup
3. Examine software for 32 bit (I used Go64, worked pretty well).
4. Replace 32 bit, or if you cannot, decide if you need it or not.
If you need it, stop.
If you don't need it:
5. Download installer
6. Make bootable installer or at least copy the installation file to someplace so you won't have to download again.
7. Install (Nuke/Pave is best, but overwrite might do as well)
8. Test, test, test.

EDIT: I'm stuck at 4. I have a printer driver that has ONE component that is 32 bit so I cannot move forward until the vendor gets an update out. The printer is a critical component of my wife's business, so we wait.

 

[chscag]

I'm also stuck at number 4 Jake. I've been promised an update to 64 bit on the one app that I need. So far it looks like I'm in a "holding pattern". (familiar term for you old air jocks. LOL)

 

[MacInWin]

Yeah, and I hated holding patterns then, too! ;D

 

[ferrarr]

When there is an OS upgrade, I:

Download the upgrade. Before the install, I run Time Machine.
Then I disconnect unneeded drives/accessories. Like I disconnected the TM drive and my second monitor for the upgrade.
Then I run the installer, and upgrade the OS in place. In a month or so, I will do a nuke and pave, install just the OS, then use MA to bring over what I need.

I have no apps that I need to have 64bit. I have winOS computers I can use if needed to print, so I can wait for the Epson update.

 

[Slydude]

I like your list Jake. I can't emphasize steps one and two enough. It's always best to discover a problem with your backup before the upgrade rather than after. I'm often a bit less cautious than you are so I've been burned once or twice by clones that weren't bootable.

 

[chscag]

I have no apps that I need to have 64bit. I have winOS computers I can use if needed to print, so I can wait for the Epson update.

During the last Public beta to Catalina (#10) I received an update for Epson printers. I suspect that Epson updates are available for Catalina. As you know, Epson does not provide the update directly but it goes through Apple.

I have Catalina installed on a fast USB-C/TB3 SSD. I'm going to update the beta profile to "default" this evening and install the final version of Catalina. However, my iMac internal SSD will still run Mojave until I can get an update to the one app I need.

 

[Slydude]

What app are you looking for Charlie?

My MB Pro is too old for Catalina so I'll be keeping it around to run the Logitech Harmony setup software for their remote. I've also got one other piece of software I use regularly that isn't 64-bit. Everything else I can do without.

 

[honestone33]

Here is what I do:

1. Make sure all my third party apps I use are compatible with the new Mac OS. That includes my 6 critical ones. Do not upgrade until all of them are compatible. And make sure I have all the applicable updates.
2. Usually not an issue, but do the same for the peripherals I use.
3. For Catalina, "take care" of 32-bit applications. For me, not an issue, as I have a replacement for Quicken 2007 (Quicken 2017), and I can get another calculator to replace Magic Number Machine.
4. With 1 through 3 all completely satisfied, download the latest Install Mac OS file from the App Store. After it has completed downloading, quit it, and then make a copy of that installer to another location on my Mac.
5. Do a final manual cleanup (usually minimal at best, as I am constantly doing cleanup on both of my Macs).
6. Run the following programs: ClamXAv, Onyx, and TechTool Pro.
7. Assuming those turn out fine (again, usually the case), make 2 SuperDuper! backups of each of my Macs to my 2 external SSDs.
8. Restart each Mac from the applicable backup.
9. Launch Disk Utility there, then Erase and format the internal SSD.
10. Launch that Install Mac OS file downloaded in step 4 above, and do a fresh, clean, virgin installation of that Mac OS onto the internal SSD.
11. Migrate/copy needed files, folders, settings, etc. from that just completed SuperDuper! backup.
12. Restart the applicable Mac from the new OS.
13. Install any needed programs that were upgraded (always needed for Onyx).
14. Finally, launch TechTool Pro and create the eDrive.

I have followed that script (except, of course, for #3) so many times, and it has always worked flawlessly. And the new OS behaves just fine.

 

[Rod]

Thanks everybody, the points tally with what I have done so far. I'm sure they will be of value to anyone who reads this post.
ferrarr I kinda like your idea of upgrading, running it for a month or so then using the saved installer to perform a clean instal. I probably wouldn't have thought to use Migration Assistant to import my data though. Why do you do that, what are the advantages/disadvantages?
I would tend to use my CCC backup or, I had toyed with the idea of using TM this time.

 

[chscag]

What app are you looking for Charlie?

I need an update to CrossOver. CrossOver itself is 64 bit, however, when trying to run a 32 bit Windows app from CrossOver, it won't work with Catalina. CodeWeavers (the developer) has told me that they should soon have an update to CrossOver which will be able to run 32 bit Windows apps from Catalina.

I have the final version of Catalina installed to my external SSD but am keeping Mojave on my iMac SSD. Right now I see nothing earth shaking about Catalina that I really need.

 

[Rod]

Thanks everybody.
Maintainence and malware searches completed.
Only 32bit app on board is Quick Look which I assume will be upgraded with the OS as its native.
TM backup and CCC clone updated so Catalina installer copied to 2XEHD’s.
Am installing the upgrade now in situ and I will consider a clean install in maybe a month after the inevitable updates have been applied. I did do a clean instal of Mojave recently so shouldn't be much old baggage.


Sent from my iPad using Mac-Forums

 

[ferrarr]

I probably wouldn't have thought to use Migration Assistant to import my data though. Why do you do that, what are the advantages/disadvantages?
I would tend to use my CCC backup or, I had toyed with the idea of using TM this time.

The only reason I do that, is because I don't use the clone apps. TM does all I need. Nothing I do, right now, is mission critical.

 

[honestone33]

Thanks everybody, the points tally with what I have done so far. I'm sure they will be of value to anyone who reads this post.
ferrarr I kinda like your idea of upgrading, running it for a month or so then using the saved installer to perform a clean instal. I probably wouldn't have thought to use Migration Assistant to import my data though. Why do you do that, what are the advantages/disadvantages?
I would tend to use my CCC backup or, I had toyed with the idea of using TM this time.

Although not directed at me, hopefully you will understand my reply.

I don't use Time Machine, but the excellent program SuperDuper! instead. If you read my post #9 above, you will see that I do a thorough job of 1) insuring that the backup/clone made by SuperDuper! is "lean, mean, and clean", and 2) insuring that all the third party apps I use are compatible with the new OS. As for cleanup and maintenance, I do that just about every day, so it is a no brainer for me.

In any event, I have always chosen to do a clean installation of the new Mac OS, which of course is one of the reasons why my steps above are so thorough. As part of the clean installation process, after the OS is actually installed, I am then offered the opportunity to migrate/copy needed files, folders, settings, etc. from a backup (could even be a TM backup, but I don't use it). So, with the just completed SuperDuper! backup of my "lean, mean, and clean" system, I just migrate everything I need form there. When I restart the respective Mac from the new, OS, I am all set to go.

One other thing, of course, is that I never install the initial version of a new Mac OS. Besides it being riddled with bugs, not all of my third party applications (including some or all of my 6 critical ones) are compatible with the new OS. In fact, for the last 3 versions of the Mac OS (Sierra, High Sierra, and Mojave), Tech Tool Pro has not been upgraded until at least after the first update of the new OS, the .1 version, has been released. So, for Sierra and High Sierra, I did not install either of them until the second update was released by Apple. For Mojave, the update for Tech Tool Pro was not ready until after the .2 release of that OS was available from Apple. Hence, I started with the ,3 release of Mojave. However, prior to going "final" with Mojave, I did install the .2 version on one of my external SSDs, and tested it for a while. Except for Tech Tool Pro (which I did not run on that test environment), everything went smoothly.

Another thing is that in any of those versions of the Mac OS did I see something I must have, and the same is true with Catalina.

 

[pm-r]

Another thing is that in any of those versions of the Mac OS did I see something I must have, and the same is true with Catalina.

I guess it's lucky with your usual meticulous and thorough backup and OS installation that you didn't bother doing so with the latest Catalina version as the developer of SuperDuper has not even authorized the use of SuperDuper with the latest Mac OS version.

PS: That's an excellent idea of waiting until at least the first .1 MacOS update. And maybe by then, the developer will have SuperDuper updated and compatible.


- Patrick
======

 

[Rod]

The only reason I do that, is because I don't use the clone apps. TM does all I need. Nothing I do, right now, is mission critical.

Okay, I get it. I did wonder after I asked, like maybe you don't use a clone. Can I ask, other than TM do you have any other bootable sources? I had my bacon saved recently, as you may have read, by a macOS bootable installer on a USB thumb drive. I've become a bit of an advocate for the idea. Cheap (free if you have a spare thumb drive), portable and very effective even if it's a backdated OS.


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

 

[ferrarr]

Okay, I get it. I did wonder after I asked, like maybe you don't use a clone. Can I ask, other than TM do you have any other bootable sources? I had my bacon saved recently, as you may have read, by a macOS bootable installer on a USB thumb drive. I've become a bit of an advocate for the idea. Cheap (free if you have a spare thumb drive), portable and very effective even if it's a backdated OS.


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

Yes Rod, I have a bootable installer of Mojave, because I haven’t made the one for Catalina yet. But I can do it tomorrow, if I remember. I always have one ready to use, and I have all the installers from Yosemite onwards.

 

[Rod]

Yes Rod, I have a bootable installer of Mojave, because I haven’t made the one for Catalina yet. But I can do it tomorrow, if I remember. I always have one ready to use, and I have all the installers from Yosemite onwards.

So I'm preaching to the converted. ferrarr, do you use Terminal or some other means of creating your USB installer?

 

[Rod]

I forgot to add as I had already done it; Make sure you have updated everything (including supplemental updates) before attempting to install Catalina. Apparently Catalina requires the latest safari update for installation.

 

[ferrarr]

Yes, I use Terminal to create the macOS bootable USB installer.

Right now I’m on my iPad Pro, so I’ll get it done tomorrow.