What is macOS Catalina | Guide to Upgrading to macOS Catalina

What is macOS Catalina?

macOS Catalina is named after the island of Santa Catalina. It was released on October 7, 2019, as the sixteenth major release of the macOS operating system for Mac computers. It was the first version of macOS to support only 64-bit applications and the last major release with version number 10.x of macOS.

After macOS Catalina, Apple released macOS Big Sur on November 12, 2020, which is the 11th major version of macOS. Support for macOS Catalina ended on October 30, 2022.

New Features in macOS Catalina

macOS Catalina brings some significant changes to the system and apps. Here's a video that introduces the new features of macOS Catalina.

• 01:35 Voice control
• 02:41 Security
• 03:46 Finder device management
• 08:39 Excited for Sidecar

In general, macOS Catalina made some changes to system settings and added/removed apps:

• Photos redesign
• Finding My app
• Sidecar
• iTunes removal
• Screentime limits
• Safari updates
• Voice control
• Reminders
• New security and privacy features

Aside from hardware/software improvements, there are two big changes in macOS Catalina:

2. Support for Sidecar, which lets users use the iPad as a drawing tablet alongside their Mac.

2. Screen-time management features allow users to set communication limits, for example, to block children from chatting with online strangers, and generate reports on how much time is spent on particular apps.

Which Mac models are compatible with macOS Catalina?

These are the Mac models that are compatible with macOS Catalina. If you're wondering whether your Mac can use macOS Catalina, check this list:

- MacBook Pro from mid-2012 and later - MacBook Air from mid-2012 and later - MacBook from early 2015 and later - iMac Pro from 2017 - iMac from late 2012 and later - Mac mini from late 2012 and later - Mac Pro from late 2013 and 2019

Is macOS Catalina still supported?

Yes, but Apple ended support for macOS Catalina on October 30, 2022. Therefore, it's recommended that users upgrade to a newer version to receive long-term support from Apple.

How to Upgrade to macOS Catalina

If your Mac is eligible for macOS Catalina, you can update your Mac to macOS Catalina by following these steps.

Step 1: Back up your Mac in case something goes wrong during the update.

Step 2: Open the App Store on your Mac, and enter macOS Catalina in the search field.

Step 3: Click “Get” to download the updated file.

When the “Install macOS Catalina” app appears, click Continue.

Step 5: Click Agree to confirm the installation.

Step 6. Click “Install.” By default, macOS Catalina will install on your Mac's startup disk.

When your Mac restarts, follow the onscreen instructions to set up and start using macOS Catalina.

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When upgrading to macOS Catalina, users might lose their data. A simple and effective way to recover the data is by using third-party software like the Mac Data Recovery Wizard.

macOS Catalina vs. Monterey

macOS Monterey was released on June 7, 2021. The table below shows the Mac models that can run these two operating systems.

Some of the key differences between macOS Catalina and Monterey include:

User Interface: macOS Monterey introduces several changes to the user interface, such as apps now having sidebars, rounded corners on Finder windows, and most app icons being changed to rounded rectangles, giving it a cleaner appearance overall.

Control Center: Long a feature of iOS, it made its debut on macOS with Big Sur, and Monterey keeps it around. It lets users quickly access apps/tasks, and Apple has added an indicator that lights up when the Mac's microphone is in use while also using the machine.

Safari: Safari uses less energy than in macOS Catalina and introduces customizable start page backgrounds and content, built-in translation for web pages, and previews of web pages.

Messages and FaceTime: In Messages, you can pin conversations to the top of your list, mention people in group chats, and add GIFs on Monterey. With FaceTime, users can blur their background with Portrait mode and invite anyone to a call, even if they don't have an Apple device.

Update macOS Catalina to Monterey

First, check the table above to make sure your Mac is compatible with macOS Monterey. Then you can free up space on your Macintosh HD so you have 26 GB of available storage to upgrade to macOS Monterey.

Steps to upgrade from macOS Catalina to Monterey:

Step 1. Download the macOS Monterey installer on your Mac.

Step 2. Before you start, back up your Mac with Time Machine. (You can set up a Time Machine backup schedule to protect your files whenever you update macOS.)

Step 3: Launch the Monterey installer.

Step 4: When the “Install macOS Monterey” app opens automatically, click Continue to proceed.

Step 5: Click “Agree” in the window to confirm the installation.

Step 6: Click “Install.” By default, macOS Monterey installs to your startup disk.

When your Mac restarts, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Mac, and it will upgrade from Catalina to Monterey.

macOS Catalina vs Ventura

macOS Ventura was released on October 24, 2022. Here's the list of Mac models that are compatible with macOS Ventura:

- MacBook Pro introduced in 2017 or later - MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later - MacBook introduced in 2017 or later - Mac mini introduced in 2018 or later - iMac introduced in late 2017 or later - iMac Pro - Mac Studio - Mac Pro introduced in 2019 or later

Here are some of the new features compared to macOS Catalina:

• Email: Enhancements to email functionality, including smart search corrections, undo send, missing recipients, and attachments.
• Safari: Improvements to Safari, such as shared tab groups, pinned tabs, and webpage image translation.
• Passkeys: In macOS Ventura, Passkeys offer a more secure way to log in, replacing passwords.
• Continuity Camera: Users can utilize their iPhone as a webcam.
• Accessibility: Mac now supports background sounds.
• Clock App: The Clock app from iPad and iPhone is now available on Mac for seamless continuity across devices.

Update macOS Catalina to Ventura

First, check compatibility to make sure your Mac is compatible with macOS Ventura. Then, free up 26GB of available storage on your Mac's startup disk to ensure you have enough space to upgrade to macOS Ventura.

Steps to upgrade from macOS Catalina to Ventura: 1. **Check compatibility**: Make sure your Mac model supports macOS Ventura. Visit the Apple official website for the list of compatible devices. 2. **Backup your data**: It's always recommended to back up your data before upgrading. Use Time Machine or another reliable backup solution to create a current backup. 3. **Check for updates**: Open "System Preferences," then click "Software Update." Install any available minor updates to ensure your system is up to date. 4. **Download macOS Ventura**: Open the App Store, click the "Today" tab in the top right corner, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Get macOS Updates." This will start downloading the macOS Ventura installer. 5. **Install the update**: Once downloaded, find the "Install macOS Ventura" app, usually located in the "Applications" folder. Double-click it and follow the on-screen instructions. 6. **Agree to terms and conditions**: Read and agree to Apple's terms and conditions. 7. **Choose installation type**: Select "Upgrade Mac" to keep your files and settings. 8. **Wait for the installation**: Enter your admin password and restart as prompted. The installation process may take some time, so be patient. 9. **Finish setup**: After installation, your Mac will automatically restart and guide you through some initial setup steps. This might include logging into your Apple ID, setting up Siri (if applicable), and adjusting other preferences. 10. **Update apps**: With the new system, some apps might require updates to be Ventura-compatible. Open the App Store, click the "Updates" tab in the top right corner, and install any available app updates. Remember to keep your Mac connected to power throughout the process and upgrade in a stable, fast internet environment.

Step 1: Click the Apple menu in the top-right corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.”

Step 2: Before you start, back up your Mac with Time Machine.

Step 3: Click on “Software Update.” Find macOS Ventura, then click “Upgrade Now” to install it.

Step 4. When the “Install macOS Ventura” app opens automatically, click “Continue” to proceed.

Step 5: Click “Agree” to proceed with the installation.

Step 6: Click “Install.” By default, macOS Ventura installs on your startup disk.

When your Mac restarts, follow the on-screen instructions to set it up, and your Mac will upgrade from Catalina to Ventura.

What is the macOS Catalina FAQ?

Here are some questions people also ask when searching for macOS Catalina:

Can I upgrade from Catalina to Big Sur?

Find out if your Mac is compatible with macOS Big Sur, download macOS Big Sur manually from the App Store, create a bootable USB installer, and reinstall the operating system on your Mac.

2. How long can I keep using macOS Catalina?

Starting in November 2022, macOS Catalina will no longer receive security updates. As a result, Apple has ended software support for all computers running macOS Catalina, with support officially ending on November 30, 2022. Therefore, it's recommended that you upgrade your macOS to a newer version.

3. Will Catalina slow down my Mac?

No, it's not unusual for a Mac to start up more slowly the first time you boot it after upgrading to Catalina or any new version of macOS. This is because your Mac is performing routine maintenance tasks, deleting old temporary files/caches and rebuilding new ones.

4. Which is faster, macOS Mojave or Catalina?

Apple doesn't provide specific performance figures for macOS, but many users feel that macOS Monterey is the fastest yet.

Conclusions

Apple has announced that it will end support for macOS Catalina on October 30, 2022. If your Mac is running macOS Catalina, it's recommended that you upgrade to a newer version of macOS, such as macOS Monterey or Ventura.

The process of upgrading from macOS Catalina to Monterey or Ventura is straightforward, but it's crucial to back up your important files to avoid data loss. If you forget to do so before the upgrade, don't worry! The "Data Recovery Wizard" tool can help you retrieve files from an unbootable Mac.