If you already have a Time Machine drive, continue to use it and just create another backup. If you upgrade, and your devices or software are not yet compatible with macOS 10.15 Catalina, you can erase your upgraded Mac and restore it with the Time Machine backup. You should always create a Time Machine backup before upgrading your Mac’s operating system.

macOS 10.15 Catalina Compatibility List.Check out our macOS 10.15 Catalina Compatibility List for compatibility statements from popular manufacturers. The bottom line is this: double-check every hardware device and piece of software before upgrading, especially when using older products. That means if you have a DAW, plug-in, virtual instrument or other apps that are only 32-bit, they will not work anymore.

Perhaps the most important compatibility update to macOS 10.15 Catalina is that it no longer supports 32-bit software. Still, older products may be discontinued or no longer supported on new macOS releases. Many audio and MIDI devices will be compatible right away because they use the default macOS audio class drivers. Take into account the usual best practices for macOS updates, like waiting for software and hardware manufacturers to announce compatibility before upgrading (aka being officially supported). That typically means finding the latest compatibility information on the manufacturer’s product page. Even if your Mac and Apple products are supported, third-party software like DAWs and virtual instruments or hardware like audio and MIDI interfaces might not work at all until officially supported by the manufacturer. Macs incompatible with 10.15 Catalina do not support that version of macOS and are not able to perform the upgrade.

If you want to upgrade your Mac’s operating system to macOS 10.15 Catalina, you must first see that the new version is compatible. Verify compatibility for macOS 10.15 Catalina

Verify compatibility for macOS 10.15 Catalina.

Follow each of the sections below to get started. You also need to create a Time Machine backup in case you want to restore the macOS version installed before the upgrade. Before upgrading, verify your Mac, audio/MIDI devices, and DAW/plug-in software are each compatible and officially supported for 10.15 Catalina.

In this guide, we will show you how to upgrade your Mac’s operating system to macOS 10.15 Catalina. Learn more on our macOS 10.15 Catalina Compatibility List. Do not upgrade to macOS 10.15 Catalina until you have confirmed compatibility with your third-party software and audio/MIDI devices. MacOS 10.15 Catalina is now available to the public.

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