Installing macOS Monterey: Getting Ready and More
We've had to wait a little longer, but as of today, macOS Monterey is finally available to install. The update brings a number of useful new features to the Mac and makes your Mac work better with the new capabilities of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15. But before that, it's a good idea to prepare yourself before installing macOS Monterey. In this article you will read step by step what to do before installing macOS Monterey.
- When to install?
- Compatible Macs
- Storage< /li>
- Backups
- Old versions
- Updating apps
- Are you ready?
- Now or later?< /li>
- Install
- Discover the updates!
When can I install macOS Monterey?
macOS Monterey is out today, October 25, 2021. The release date of macOS Monterey was announced during the October 2021 event, which included the announcement of the 2021 MacBook Pro. Good to know is that the update will be available starting about 7:00 PM tonight.
Step 1: Will my Mac work with macOS Monterey?
Before you get started, it's good to know if your Mac is even suitable for macOS Monterey. Fortunately, we have a list ready for you with suitable models:
- MacBook 12-inch (Early 2016 and newer)
- MacBook Air (Early 2015 and newer)
- MacBook Pro (Early 2015 and newer)
- iMac (Late 2015 and newer)
- iMac Pro (2017 and newer)
- Mac mini (late 2014 and newer)
- Mac Pro (Late 2013 and newer)
Some models are therefore excluded, such as the 2014 iMac and the MacBook Air from 2013. The previously announced MacBook Pro 2021 runs on macOS by default. Monterey. Not sure which Mac you have? Then take a look at our overview with Mac desktop models or our overview with MacBook models. Model name and model number can easily be found via > About this Mac > More info > Overview.
Step 2 : Do I have enough storage for macOS Monterey?
It is not yet clear exactly how much storage you need to install macOS Monterey. In any case, assume at least 15GB. It goes smoother if you have 20-25GB of free space, so that you don't immediately run into the limits of your storage. Via > About this Mac > More info > You can check if you have at least 15GB free storage. Now is a good time to clean up your Mac again with tools like CleanMyMac X.
On the Mac, there's also the Optimized Storage feature, which helps you clean up unnecessary apps and files. Furthermore, there is still a lot to clean up, such as the remains of an iOS update.
Step 3: Check whether you have made backups
Before installing macOS Monterey, it is a good idea to check that you have made backups of your system. Maybe you thought you were backing up daily with Time Machine, but they failed. If you haven't made them yet, backing up with Time Machine is easy to do, especially if you have an Apple Time Capsule or a large external hard drive.
Step 4: Updating a older OS X/macOS version
The Mac you use every day probably already has macOS Big Sur installed, but you may also have old iMacs and MacBooks that you want to update that are still running on an older version. From OS X 10.9 Mavericks (the oldest version that came pre-installed on a compatible Mac), you can upgrade directly to macOS Big Sur, with no intermediate steps. Also keep in mind that an older Mac may run a little less smoothly on macOS Monterey and in that case it might be better to stick with the current version. Also check whether your Mac is suitable (see step #1). And maybe an earlier update is ready. This may have already been downloaded, but only needs to be installed. That also takes up extra space.
Step 5: Update your apps for macOS Monterey now
While waiting for macOS Monterey, you can already update all apps to the latest version, so you can get off to a flying start and not have to wait for your favorite apps to update. You can do this via the Mac App Store or via the update function in the app itself, if you bought them via the developer's website. You can check this manually.
Last year, macOS Big Sur brought about a big change, because the design was overhauled. Apps got newer app icons to better match macOS. If you come from an older version than macOS Catalina, keep in mind that 32-bit apps no longer work. All apps that work in macOS Catalina and newer are in principle also suitable for macOS Monterey. But if an app has not been completely updated yet, it may happen that there are some bugs in it and the app does not yet function properly. Fortunately, you can easily check which apps are still 32-bit by following the steps in our tip. If you still have 32-bit apps, check whether newer versions or alternatives are available. If not, consider whether you think it's worth updating and getting rid of the app.
There is also an extensive list of apps that have already been tested by beta users. The apps in this list have been tested to see if they work (properly) on macOS Monterey, so it's a good idea to check that list before updating. Virtualization software such as Boot Camp and Parallels (which allow you to run Windows on a Mac) will also continue to work in macOS Monterey, as long as you use them on an Intel Mac.
Step 6: Get Ready
Don't just have your Mac ready, so do you. Have your Apple ID and password handy so you don't have to search for them. A fast WiFi connection can also come in handy, so that you can download the update quickly. If you want to update immediately as soon as macOS Monterey is available, it's best to be at home or at work, on a trusted network. Using public hotspots carries risks.
Keep in mind that the download may take a while, especially when the update to macOS Monterey becomes available. It can therefore take a while and the download times can increase considerably. Tens of millions of people worldwide are trying to download macOS Monterey at the same time. If you don't need the update right away, it's best to wait a few hours and try it the next day. Then it suddenly goes much faster. Last year there were problems with Apple's server when macOS Big Sur first became available, causing the download to fail. So don't panic right away if it doesn't work and try again the next day.
Step 7: Install now or later?
Which brings us straight to the next question: should you install macOS Monterey as soon as the update comes out, or should you wait a little longer? If we have to give an honest answer, we recommend that you look the cat out of the tree. We can imagine that you would like to get started with the new functions, but experience shows that the very first version can sometimes cause problems. We therefore recommend that you closely monitor the first experiences of users, so that you know what to expect. Apple has extensively tested macOS Monterey with a slew of betas, but there are often still some issues that crop up once the update is out for everyone.
Even if you depend on your Mac for work, for example, we recommend that you wait a few days after the release. wait to update. With older Macs, it may also be a good idea to wait for some feedback from users. On iCulture, we'll have a Talk to Discussion article once the update is out where users can share their experiences.
Step 8: Install
Have you gone through all the steps and have you been able to properly prepare yourself for macOS Monterey? Once macOS Monterey is available, download the update as follows:
- Go to > System Preferences.
- Click the Software Update option.
- Your Mac will now check for the latest version.
- If the update is available, it will appear on the screen. Click the button to download and install it.
Installing macOS Monterey can take a long time, so be patient. Do not click the download and install button until you are sure that you do not need your Mac for a while.
You can also choose to do a clean installation of macOS.
Step 9: Find out what's new in macOS Monterey!
While you're waiting for the update to succeed, take a moment to check out our other macOS Monterey tips read:
- Import and export passwords with iCloud Keychain from macOS Monterey
- Change Safari Tab Appearance in macOS Monterey and iPadOS 15
- Use Power Saver Mode on the Mac with macOS Monterey
- Apple Maps in iOS 15 and macOS Monterey: Find these 12 improvements
- These upcoming macOS Monterey features only work with Apple Silicon
- Working in full screen becomes easier in macOS Monterey
- This makes Finder better in macOS Monterey
Read our roundup of the best macOS Monterey features so you can et what you can expect.