Clean install of Monterey

[Rod]

Update all your System apps before attempting to upgrade to Monterey. Just saying.

I did this because on return from a four day break I had a notification to do so from the App Store.
So I updated the couple of apps that required it for Monterey compatibility. Then I just thought I would check System Updates because I recalled there was a Safari update in the works.

What came up first was the Monterey update as expected but I though I would check the "more information" link below it in blue. What then came up was an update to Big Sur to 11.6.1 and an update to Safari to 15.1 so I applied the Big Sur update on its own which obviously included the Safari update as well because it had disappeared on returning to the same window. In fact although they are pre ticked in the update window you can only choose one. If you leave them both ticked the update will not run. A quick check after showed Safari had indeed been updated along with the Big Sur update.

Revisiting the same "more information" link I then saw, and I'm really sorry I cannot remember the exact words, was an update related to device OS compatibility management, or words to this effect. I think this may be an important update if like me you are updating a older Intel Mac like this 2015 MBP.

I'm just theorising here but knowing there are some features of Monterey that will not be available on Intel Macs it's possible that this update is necessary for proper operation of Monterey on this old MBP. It is the last on the list of compatible devices.

The good news is that after all the updates and backups (Monterey was only a 12.6GB download for me) I ended up starting the installer before bed and let it run overnight. I was greeted this morning on wake with the macOS Monterey login page and all seems fine so far.

 

[Rod]

Ah, here is the update I mentioned. Not as I thought for macOS so much as iOS support. Took a shot of it on my wife's 2018 MBP.

 

[IWT]

Very interesting, Rod. Yesterday, I had the same Device Support Update advised on my older iMac running macOS High Sierra; but not had one for my main iMac running macOS 11 Big Sur (BS).

I do not intend to Upgrade to macOS 12 - Monterey at the moment. Probably at the beginning of the New Year.

Just checked now and there is an update to BS (11.6.1) along with Safari 15.1

Will deal with this later today. I'll keep in mind your experience with these two not working together.

Ian

 

[Rod]

Well if you do the 11.6.1 update it must include the Safari update but some people may just want to update to Ssfari 15.1 hence it would be contradictory to try to download both but they both come pre ticked so you have to choose to untick one. If you don't it just "blinks" and refuses to update either.

 

[Rod]

It's interesting that the Device Support update is kind of hidden. After the BS 11.6.1 update I would not have known it was there had I not clicked the "More info" link again. Once I had completed all the updates clicking "More info" takes you to the Apple web site explaining the new features of Monterey.

 

[IWT]

try to download both but they both come pre ticked so you have to choose to untick one. If you don't it just "blinks" and refuses to update either.

Rod, you've mentioned this twice and I don't doubt for a single minute that this was your experience.

But today I updated my iMac and my wife's MacBook Pro. In both cases, the tick was against both 11.6.1 and Safari, as you stated. And in both cases, it updated the two together - or at least as a single process. Took about 25 minutes.

Thereafter, there was a Notification saying that some updates could not be done automatically; and by going back to Software Update, I found Device Support Update which downloaded in under 30 seconds.

As I mentioned in Post #23, my other, older iMac running macOS High Sierra also required the Device Support Update as a standalone.

Ian

 

[Jim40]

12.13GB!!!! That is the size of the download file for Monterey. Wow... I mean like WOW!!! I am glad I am at work and have superfast internet. Going to try it now on my 13" 2020 MBP - Since it is 12.01 and I have backed up.

Lisa

We cannot get osMac 12 (unless someone knows different.) We got an upgrade to osMac 11.6.1, and Safari 16.0 today.

I live in the UK South Lake District, England, UK and my maximum download speed is 18.7 Mbps. just think how long that would take to install. Luckily, I live 200 yard from a Caravan/Lodge site which gives around 900 Mbps. We are members of the site which has full size swimming pool, 10 pin bowling alley, bar and restaurant. Had our own lodge there but my wife is in late 70's and I'm 81 on 26 December 2021, so sold up lodge but still keep membership of holiday park. I was to ill to visit to to install Big Sur, so done it at home. was up all night installing it, it was a nightmare and had to be installed twice to work.

Good luck with os Mac12.(Monterey) We have more mountains in UK Lake District than you have high rises buildings. loves.

 

[Rod]

@IWT I guess it's a case of all roads lead to Rome or Horses for Courses so long as you get the updates prior to upgrade all's well. Obviously different devices handle the same task different ways.
So how do you like Monterey? Its seems pretty snappy on my old MBP, lots of little subtle differences. It has a built in Password Manager did you know albeit a little limited it's kinda like a UI for Keychain. See in System preferences "Passwords" or you can access it direct from Safari. It wont bw replacing my password manager just yet but could be a big boon for those who don't have one.

 

[chscag]

See in System preferences "Passwords" or you can access it direct from Safari. It wont bw replacing my password manager just yet but could be a big boon for those who don't have one.

I kind of like the System Preferences "Password" option. Of course it's merely a link to your Keychain but it does make things a bit easier when assigning passwords or changing them. But, as you say, It's not as robust as a good password manager.

 

[IWT]

So how do you like Monterey?

Rod, I don't have Monterey - yet. Early New Year most likely

Ian

 

[JeffL]

This morning: My experience was similar to Ian's, the tick was against both 11.6.1 and Safari 15.1 on my iMac 24" M1, it updated the two together as a single process. Took about 25 minutes plus another 20 minutes for the restart process. There was no Notification saying that some updates could not be done automatically but I went back to Software Update and found Device Support Update which downloaded in about 2 minutes. I'll be doing the same with my MBA M1 later this morning. I will hold off the Monterey install for a little while to see the experience of other's.

 

[JeffL]

Whilst we're on this subject, in Software Update there is a tick box to 'Automatically keep my mac up to date'. If ticked, does this just do updates on the current OS installed or does it automatically install a new OS when one becomes available?

 

[IWT]

Whilst we're on this subject, in Software Update there is a tick box to 'Automatically keep my mac up to date'. If ticked, does this just do updates on the current OS installed or does it automatically install a new OS when one becomes available?

Good question. This is Apple's article on this:

Keep your Mac up to date

Check for macOS updates, security updates, and updates to the built-in apps on your Mac.

support.apple.com

In other words, it seems only to apply to updates - not Upgrades as far as I can see.
Ian

 

[Rod]

Yes, my personal preference is in the Advanced Tab of Software Updates; Automatically: Check for updates.
Some of the other options may be suitable even convenient for a desktop device but not for a laptop.
So long as I know it's available I can choose to update at the most convenient time. eg. When its plugged into power and I'm not using it.