It is finally here. Apples new MacOS Big Sur is finally available for download.
One of the biggest upgrades in this updated OS is Safari. The browser will load websites that you visit the most, faster and have better tab management capabilities. There is now a privacy report button that lets you see how websites are tracking your data and monitor if any of your passwords were compromised in a security breach. There is a new category in the app store for Safari extensions.
There are now widgets just like in the new iOS14 so that you don’t have to go to individual apps, it will all you to see the live overview for things like your calendar or the weather. There are many other features, but these were what stood out to me with this new release.
There are two ways to get the update. You can go to https://www.apple.com/macos/big-sur/
Or you can go to “System Preferences”- “Software Update” and find the MacOS Big Sur and click “Upgrade Now”. Depending on the speed of your internet this download could take an hour or more to do.
Before you go ahead and download the update and install it make sure you do a backup of your Mac to be safe. I always tell people to have a backup. You will also want to make sure you are currently running OSX 10.9 or later and have 4GB of memory available and at least 35.5 GB free of available storage.
If you are not sure how to make a backup of your Mac I would recommend calling an IT expert to your home and have them create a backup for you and then do the download and installation of OS Big Sur for you.
Not sure if you can upgrade to the Big Sur? According to Apple these Models of Macs can run the MacOS Big Sur:
MacBook 2015 and later
Macbook Air 2013 and later
MacBook Pro late 2013 and later
iMac 2014 and later
iMac Pro all models 2017 and later
Mac Pro 2013 and later.
As always if you are unsure about doing an upgrade like this, it is best to call an IT expert who will come and do it and then verify that everything works as it should. Just make sure that they do a backup for you and verify the backup before proceeding.