Take Control of Upgrading to Catalina

Take Control of Upgrading to Catalina

by Joe Kissell
Released October 2019
Publisher(s): Take Control Books
ISBN: 9781947282414

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Book description

Make a painless move to macOS 10.15!

Updated October 7, 2019

macOS 10.15 Catalina makes your Mac more powerful, safer, and easier to use. But upgrading from an older version of macOS can sometimes be a confusing and frustrating experience--especially if you're currently running a much older operating system, or if you encounter unexpected hiccups in the process. And this time, there are a few more gotchas than usual--including the elimination of support for 32-bit apps and certain other types of third-party software, additional changes to the disk structure that may affect your backups, and an unexpectedly large number of security alerts. But forewarned is forearmed, and this book guides you through everything you need to know to successfully upgrade your Mac to Catalina.

In Take Control of Upgrading to Catalina, Mac expert Joe Kissell outlines a process that will take the stress out of upgrading, showing you how to make the switch more efficiently and in the way that's right for you. Learn what you need to know before you begin, how to prepare your Mac and make backups, and be ready to make decisions about questions that arise during and after installation.

The book explains in detail how to…

  • Start fast: A Quick Start overview helps you read lightly or more deeply, depending on your needs.
  • Take in the view: Find out what you can look forward to in Catalina.
  • Check for compatibility: Make sure your hardware and software are ready for Catalina.
  • Back up: Avoid upgrade anxiety by ensuring you can return to the previous state of your Mac--and that you can boot from your backup.
  • Pick a plan: Go for an easy in-place upgrade or consider a more complex clean install. Find out which option is right for you.
  • Install: Download and store the installer where it won't be deleted, with special tips for people who want to install on multiple Macs or who have bandwidth limitations. And, although running the installer will be easy for many people, you'll find full steps for what to click and when.
  • Deal with all those dialogs: Your Mac will probably ask you a long list of questions during and after the upgrade. Learn the best ways to answer them.
  • Do a post-installation tune-up: Make sure your new system is running smoothly by completing important housekeeping tasks and making a few key decisions.
  • Troubleshoot: Yikes! It is possible that something will go wrong during installation, or that once you've booted up under Catalina that you'll encounter a serious problem. Joe's time-tested troubleshooting advice will help get your system working again.


In addition, this book covers topics such as:

  • How Catalina affects your bootable duplicates
  • Changes to Setup Assistant, what the new screens mean, and how to handle them
  • What's new, added, removed, and rearranged in System Preferences
  • What to do if you run the Catalina installer, restart, and find your Mac is still running your old version of macOS
  • Revised instructions for downgrading to your earlier system if that becomes necessary

Publisher resources

View/Submit Errata

Table of contents

  1. Read Me First
    1. Updates and More
    2. About System Preferences
    3. What’s New in Version 1.1
  2. Introduction
  3. Catalina Upgrade Quick Start
  4. Take In the Scenic View
    1. Find Out What’s New in Catalina
    2. Catch Up with macOS Changes
    3. Understand Catalina’s Downsides
    4. Learn About APFS
  5. Check Your Mac for Compatibility
    1. Model Support
    2. RAM
    3. Firmware Updates
    4. Free Disk Space
    5. Recent Bluetooth Hardware
    6. OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion or Later
  6. Back Up Your Disk
    1. Why You Need a Duplicate
    2. Prepare for a Duplicate
    3. Create a Duplicate
    4. Test Your Duplicate
  7. Clean Up Your Mac
    1. Update Your Third-Party Software
    2. Review Your Media Configuration
    3. De-Clutter Your Disk
    4. Run Disk Utility
    5. Update Your Duplicate
    6. Consider Disabling Encryption
  8. Decide on an Installation Method
    1. Plan A: In-Place Upgrade
    2. Plan B: Clean Install
    3. Pick a Plan
  9. Make Final Preparations
    1. Turn Off Anti-Malware Software
    2. Obtain the Installer
    3. Copy the Installer to a Safe Place
    4. Make a Bootable Catalina Installer Volume
    5. Update Your Duplicate (Again)
    6. Turn Off (Yes, Off) Automatic Duplicates
    7. Make a Copy of This Book
  10. Upgrade Using Plan A: In‑Place Upgrade
    1. Start the Installer
    2. Select a Destination
    3. Get a Haircut
    4. Finish Setup Assistant
    5. Check for Proper Operation
  11. Upgrade Using Plan B: Clean Install
    1. Start Up from Your Bootable Duplicate
    2. Erase Your Disk
    3. Run the Installer
    4. Use Setup Assistant
  12. Perform Post-Installation Tasks
    1. Respond to Immediate Questions
    2. Handle Software Updates
    3. Review the Relocated Items Folder
    4. Deal with Other Surprises
    5. Final Software Advice
  13. Troubleshoot Upgrade Problems
    1. Can’t Run the Catalina Installer…
    2. Can’t Select Installation Volume…
    3. Installation Fails Silently
    4. Mac Won’t Start Up Under Catalina…
    5. Finder Crashes or Hangs…
    6. Other Errors
  14. About This Book
    1. Ebook Extras
    2. About the Author and Publisher
    3. Shameless Plug
    4. Credits
  15. Copyright and Fine Print
  16. Also by Joe Kissell

Product information

  • Title: Take Control of Upgrading to Catalina
  • Author(s): Joe Kissell
  • Release date: October 2019
  • Publisher(s): Take Control Books
  • ISBN: 9781947282414