Apple’s latest version of its operating system, macOS 10.14 Mojave, is set to be released sometime in September or perhaps October. Is your system prepared for the update? Is your system even compatible with the new operating system? Today, we will take a closer look at what you need to know and do to get ready for the macOS 10.14 Mojave upgrade and then round it out with a few new features coming to Mojave.
Supported Macs
As always, each new version of macOS drops support for many older Macs, and Mojave is no different. Still, the list of supported Macs is pretty good, although I would have liked to have seen Apple go one extra generation in their support. Here are the models that are compatible with macOS 10.14 Mojave:
- iMac models from 2012 or later
- iMac Pro (from 2017)
- MacBook models from 2015 or later
- MacBook Pro models from 2012 or later
- MacBook Air models from 2012 or later
- Mac mini models from 2012 or later
- Mac Pro models from late 2013 (plus mid 2010 and mid 2012 models with recommend Metal-capable GPU)
If you have an older Mac, you are simply out of luck. Are you ready to upgrade? If not, you can expect to see continued security update and even software fixes for many of the past versions, but don’t hold your breath that you will ever see some of the newest features. As always, if you are running one of the older Macs, your time is running out. If I were you, I would check out some of the newer Macbooks in here in our best laptop guides here.
What You Need to Do
So now that you have determined that your Mac is compatible with the latest version of macOS, is there anything you need to do to get ready for it? Why yes, there is. Here’s what you should do.
1. Clean up your Mac
The first thing you need to do is clean up your Mac. Remove any unwanted files and applications. The files you do decide to keep, you should organize. macOS 10.14 Mojave approaches disk storage differently, and prefers a cleaner hard drive for optimal efficiency. So clean and organize everything before you run the upgrade.
2. Run any outstanding updates
Before we hit the final release date of Mojave, whatever that might be, go ahead and run any and all outstanding updates on your Mac. This includes any patches, security updates and all updates to your Mac software. This will ensure you have the latest software before this new macOS version is released.
3. Backup your Mac
Once you have completed your file clean up and your updates, it’s time to backup your Mac. If you use Time Machine, grab a full backup of your Mac before you run the new update. If you don’t, make sure you pull any and all valuable files from the system so you don’t lose anything if something goes wrong with the update.
That’s all there is to it. Once you have performed these three easy steps, you are ready for the new upgrade. I encourage you to start now to give yourself plenty of time to get through everything. After all, you don’t want to be scrambling the day the update goes live and I’m sure you want the update as soon as possible.
New Features
It’s hard to believe that we are about see the fourteenth version of Mac OS X, now dubbed macOS, but here we are. The new version focuses more of speed and behind the scenes enhancements, but that doesn’t mean Apple isn’t including many new goodies that we will enjoy. This is by no means a complete list, but highlights some of the best ones coming, at least in my opinion.
Dark Mode
The idea of Dark Mode isn’t new, and there is already a type of Dark Mode available. But what it does is very limited. Yes, it changes the menu bar and the dock, but not much else. Even most of Apple’s own apps didn’t support it. But with Mojave, this integration is pretty much what everyone has wanted for years now.
Desktop Stacks
If you keep a lot of files on your Desktop, your computer can appear quite cluttered in the blink of an eye. Now, Apple has a provided a solution with a new way of organizing with Desktop Stacks. This new feature organize files according to type, making it easy for you to find what you need. Now I’m not sure how well this will work in practice, as I haven’t tested it myself, but I can see the potential.
Dynamic Desktop
Now this feature is pretty interesting. The Dynamic Desktop will change your desktop wallpaper based on the time of day. For example, during the full height of the sun, your wallpaper will be bright, but it will gradually go darker as the day passes. This could be very helpful when you must use your machine late at night when the brightness can hurt your eyes.
Screenshots
Apple is altering the behavior of screenshots. Don’t worry, all the handy commands for screenshots are still there, but now when you take a shot a thumbnail will appear, much like in iOS, giving you a preview of the shot you just grabbed.
Finder Gallery View
Apple has also made a few adjustments to the Finder, adding a new view known as Gallery View. This view will allow you to preview the file and even make small edits from right inside the Finder. For example, you can preview a PDF and even use markup tools to add notes or even add your signature.
News App
Apple is increasingly targeting Google and other news providers/aggregators on their platforms. With the introduction of the News app already found on iOS, Apple is trying to increase its reach and give you a unified way to get updates on the latest goings on around you.
Home App
Apple’s Home app found on iOS that allows you to control things such as your home’s thermostat and more is now coming to your Mac. Now, if you need to adjust the temperature in your home, you won’t have to whip out your iPhone, just open the app on your Mac and adjust whatever you need.
Mac App Store Makeover
The Mac App Store is getting a makeover as a part of macOS 10.14 Mojave. Not only will we be getting a new and improved UI, but there are many new features, as well. New videos will now play that showcase the app when you click on it, there are new tutorials for apps built right into the App Store, and more. Apple does have high hopes for the makeover, saying, “We think the Mac app store will inspire the next generation of apps.”
Remember, this isn’t everything that is coming to macOS 10.14 Mojave. This is just some of the highlights of many of the features you will be noticing when you upgrade. In fact, there are many others that are coming along with many under the hood improvements.
Beta Release Notes
For those of you that just can’t wait, you can head over to the Apple Developer site and sign up to test the latest Beta version, Beta 4. Before you do that, you may want to take a look at the release notes below:
macOS Mojave beta 4 is pre-release software. Do not use this pre-release software in a commercial operating environment or with important data. You should back up all of your data before installing this software and regularly back up data while using the software.
Back up your Mac.
Always back up your data and files before installing beta versions of macOS. If you have multiple Mac computers, we strongly recommend installing on a secondary system. Backing up files on a Mac is easy with Time Machine, the built-in backup utility.
Notes and Known Issues
General
New Issues
On iMac Pro, Software Updates and macOS installation might be prevented if more than one volume has the same name.
New IssuesDashboard might unexpectedly quit if the Calendar widget is enabled.
Using the Markup Toolbar or the Colors window might cause an application to unexpectedly quit.
On MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (2018) models, adjusting screen brightness settings might not take effect.
Resolved IssuesOn iMac Pro, Software Updates and macOS installation might be prevented if more than one volume has the same name.
Workaround: Ensure each volume has a unique name.
Known IssuesDashboard widget backdrops might display visual artifacts.
iMac Pro might be unable to boot from certain types of external media.
When beginning installation of macOS Mojave beta on iMac Pro, your Mac might shut down instead of rebooting.
Workaround: Press the power button once to continue installation.
32-bit DeprecationNew Features
32-bit processes will now trigger an alert on launch.
Users can review 32-bit processes using the System Information application. The Software > Legacy Software report provides an overview of impacted software.
DeprecationsAdministrators are encouraged to review root-owned daemons and processes on behalf of non-administrator users, as these users may lack permissions required to resolve previously-installed 32-bit dependencies.
Apple File System (APFS)Known Issues
After enabling or disabling FileVault, the volume will become invisible to pre-macOS Mojave systems until the encryption or decryption process completes.
Disk UtilityKnown Issues
Important: Do not use Disk Utility while booted from Internet Recovery to erase an APFS Fusion container.
Workaround: Use Disk Utility while booted into macOS 10.13.6 or newer.
EthernetNew Issues
Kernel debugging is currently unavailable via Ethernet.
Audio Video Bridging (AVB) is currently unavailable via Ethernet.
FaceTime and MessagesKnown Issues
Mac Pro mid 2010 and mid 2012 models might be unable to login to FaceTime and iMessage.
Group FaceTime calls can’t be initiated between macOS Mojave 10.14 beta 2 and the first iOS 12 beta release.
Workaround: These users should update to iOS 12 beta 2.
GrabDeprecations
Grab has been superseded by the new Screenshots feature in macOS Mojave. An app launcher for Screenshots will be available in an upcoming beta.
HomeKitKnown Issues
Inviting iOS 11 users who have multiple email addresses associated with their Apple ID to a home might not succeed.
Workaround: Send the invitation to a different email address or phone number associated with the Apple ID of the iOS 11 user.
LocalizationNew Features
British English, Australian English, Canadian French, and Hong Kong Chinese (Traditional) localization has been added to macOS Mojave.
Known IssuesCertain languages might exhibit clipped or misaligned layout.
Certain languages might display unlocalized textDeprecations
The Stationery feature has been removed.
MapsNew Issues
While in Dark Mode, navigation arrows aren’t displayed when printing a route.
Resolved IssuesYou might be unable to rename a saved Favorite location.
After clicking ETA labels for alternate routes, an empty callout might appear.
After generating a navigation route, the close window button might not work.
Workaround: Quit Maps and relaunch it.
PhotosNew Issues
Clearing the Search field by clicking the ‘x’ button might cause Photos to unexpectedly quit.
PrintingNew Issues
Aperture and iPhoto might unexpectedly quit while attempting to print.
PrivacyNew Features
3rd Party Apps cannot access protected storage unless they are added to the Application Data category located in the Privacy tab of Security & Privacy System Preferences.
Resolved IssuesAlthough users may grant 3rd Party Apps permission to access protected storage, currently there is no method for granting permission to helper services or background daemons of these apps.
Safari and WebKitNew Issues
A tab might appear blank if it was automatically opened by clicking a link in a different tab.
DeprecationsLegacy NPAPI browser plug-ins are no longer supported in Safari, with the exception of Adobe Flash. These plug-ins will not be loaded and cannot be reenabled.
Screen RecordingNew Issues
Aperture and iPhoto might unexpectedly quit while attempting to print.
Social Network IntegrationsDeprecations
Using QuickTime Player X or other screen recording tools will no longer cause the recording process to unexpectedly quit.
Final Thoughts
macOS 10.14 Mojave is almost here. Is your Mac ready to go? Getting your Mac ready for the upgrade is pretty easy, especially when you compare it to Windows updates, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t be ready to go when the upgrade finally drops in the next month or so. Mojave brings with it many new features that should improve our use of our Macs, but you need to make sure you are ready.
Are you looking forward to this new upgrade coming from Apple, or do you prefer to stick with the version of macOS you already have? Better yet, are you upset that Apple is excluding your Mac from the upgrade? Tell me your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
