macOS Ventura is the latest operating system for Macs released by Apple in October 2022. It comes with several new features like Stage Manager, Continuity Camera, and improvements to apps like Mail, Messages and Safari. While many Mac users have upgraded to macOS Monterey, some are still running the previous macOS Big Sur version from 2020 and wondering if they can upgrade directly to Ventura. This article provides information on compatibility requirements and steps to upgrade to Ventura from Big Sur.
Compatibility
macOS Ventura can be installed on Macs that were released from 2017 onward, with a few exceptions. According to Apple’s support article (https://support.apple.com/en-us/102861), the following Mac models are compatible with Ventura:
- MacBook (2017 and later)
- MacBook Air (2018 and later)
- MacBook Pro (2017 and later)
- iMac (2017 and later)
- iMac Pro (all models)
- Mac mini (2018 and later)
- Mac Studio (all models)
- Mac Pro (2019 and later)
Notably, the iMac Pro models from 2017-2019 are supported even though Apple has discontinued them. However, older Macs from 2016 and earlier will not be able to run Ventura even if they could run previous versions of macOS (https://everymac.com/mac-answers/macos-13-ventura-faq/macos-ventura-macos-13-compatbility-list-system-requirements.html). So before upgrading, it’s important to check that your Mac model is supported.
Backup Your Mac
Before upgrading to macOS Ventura, it is crucial to back up your Mac. An OS upgrade like this can potentially cause issues, so having a recent backup ensures your data remains safe. The two recommended methods for backing up a Mac are using Time Machine and storing files in iCloud.
Time Machine is Apple’s built-in backup utility that creates incremental backups of your system. To set up Time Machine, you just need an external drive connected to your Mac. The steps are:
- Open System Settings, click General > Time Machine.
- Click Select Backup Disk.
- Choose the external drive you want to use.
Time Machine will automatically handle creating backups hourly for 24 hours, daily for the past month, and weekly beyond that. It’s an easy set-it-and-forget-it way to protect your data. Learn more about using Time Machine.
You can also manually create backups by going to System Settings > Time Machine and choosing Back Up Now.
Another option is using iCloud to sync and store files online. You can enable options like iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive, and iCloud Mail to keep your critical data backed up to Apple’s servers. This ensures you have an offsite backup that can restore files if something happens to your Mac. Get instructions on using iCloud Backup.
Having a current Time Machine or iCloud backup before upgrading to Ventura provides important safeguards. It enables you to get back to work quickly if there are any issues with the upgrade process.
Check App Compatibility
Before upgrading to macOS Ventura, it is important to check if your critical apps and software are already compatible with the new operating system. Some apps may not yet be optimized for Ventura and could experience issues if you upgrade. You want to avoid upgrading your Mac only to find that your essential productivity or creative apps no longer work properly.
Apple provides a compatibility list of software that is known to work with Ventura. However, many third party apps are still undergoing updates and testing for full compatibility. It is advised to check the app developer’s website or support pages to see if they have confirmed Ventura compatibility.
Some examples of software that are not yet fully compatible include older versions of Adobe Creative Cloud, Avid Pro Tools, and plugins for audio recording programs. If you rely on any specialized or niche apps for your work, be sure to investigate Ventura compatibility before upgrading.
Taking the time to check app compatibility beforehand can prevent headaches later. Make sure your essential apps are ready before making the upgrade to Ventura.
Free Up Storage Space
Before installing macOS Ventura, Apple recommends ensuring you have enough free storage space available on your Mac. The upgrade requires at least 8 GB of storage space for the system update alone. Having extra free space is ideal to ensure a smooth upgrade process.
To check how much storage space is available on your Mac, click on the Apple icon in the top left and select “About This Mac.” In the Overview tab, look for the storage bar which will show the amount of free space available. If you’re low on space, there are a few ways to free up more storage before installing Ventura:
- Empty the Trash – Deleting files and emptying the trash can recover significant storage space. Trash builds up over time so empty it out before upgrading.
- Delete old files – Scan your downloads folder, documents, photos, music, videos and remove anything you no longer need. The Storage Management tool can help identify large old files.
- Uninstall unused apps – Apps you no longer use take up valuable storage real estate. Completely uninstall them to recover space.
- Store files externally – Move files like photos, videos and music to an external drive. This frees up internal storage for the system.
- Use storage optimization software – Tools like CleanMyMac X can scan your system and safely remove gigabytes of junk and temporary system files.
Freeing up at least 8GB or more of storage before upgrading will help ensure a smooth installation of macOS Ventura.
Download Ventura
The easiest way to download the Ventura installer is directly from the App Store on your Mac. To download Ventura, open the App Store app and search for “macOS Ventura”. The latest version of Ventura will be the first search result. Click “Get” and then “Download” to start downloading the installer. The installer file is around 12GB, so it may take some time to fully download depending on your internet speed.
You can also find the Ventura installer by going to the Ventura page on the App Store website (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-ventura/id1638787999?mt=12). Click “View in Mac App Store” which will open the App Store on your Mac and take you directly to the Ventura download page.
The Ventura installer will be downloaded to your Applications folder as an app named “Install macOS Ventura”. Once the download is complete, you can double-click this installer app to begin the upgrade process.
Perform a Clean Install
Doing a clean install of macOS Ventura is a great way to ensure maximum stability and performance. Here are the steps to completely erase your disk and do a fresh install of Ventura:
- Backup your Mac using Time Machine or another backup method. This will save your files and settings.
- Restart your Mac and hold down Command-R to boot into Recovery mode.
- Select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu and click Continue.
- Select your startup disk and click Erase. Choose a format like APFS and GUID Partition Map. This will completely erase the disk.
- Quit Disk Utility and select Reinstall macOS from the Utilities window.
- Follow the prompts to install the latest version of Ventura. The installer will download automatically from Apple.
- Go through the setup assistant once installation is complete. Sign in with your Apple ID to restore settings.
Doing a clean install requires erasing the startup disk and installing the OS from scratch. This removes any junk files or problems that may have accumulated over time. The result is a fresh Mac with Ventura ready for use.
Do an In-Place Upgrade
You can upgrade from macOS Big Sur to Ventura without erasing your disk, keeping all your files and settings intact. Here are the steps for an in-place upgrade:
- Make sure you have a backup of your files before proceeding. Connect an external hard drive and use Time Machine or another backup method to ensure your data is safe.
- Check that your Mac meets the system requirements for Ventura. It needs a supported Intel or Apple silicon processor and enough storage space for the upgrade.1
- Free up additional storage if needed. Delete unused files and applications to ensure you have enough room for Ventura.
- Go to System Preferences > Software Update and click “Upgrade Now” when macOS Ventura appears.
- Follow the onscreen instructions, keeping your Mac plugged in throughout the process. The upgrade will take some time to download and install.
- Once installation is complete, your Mac will reboot into Ventura while preserving all your files and settings. Verify that your apps, documents, and data are still available.
With these steps, you can smoothly transition your Mac from Big Sur to Ventura without erasing disk data or doing a clean install. Just be sure to fully back up first and check for compatibility before upgrading.
Post-Upgrade Tips
After upgrading to macOS Ventura, here are some tips to help optimize performance and troubleshoot any issues:
Check for compatibility issues – Some older apps may not work properly in Ventura. Check the app developer’s website for compatibility info or updates. You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling problematic apps (Source)
Reset NVRAM – Resetting the NVRAM can help resolve performance problems after an upgrade. To do this, shut down your Mac, then turn it on and immediately press and hold Command + Option + P + R until you hear the startup chime a second time (Source)
Clear browser caches – Clearing your Safari and other browser caches can resolve page loading or display issues after upgrading. In Safari, go to History > Clear History to clear the cache (Source)
Check for macOS updates – Apple will release updates to fix bugs and improve performance in Ventura. Check System Preferences > Software Update periodically for the latest updates.
Troubleshoot startup issues – If your Mac gets stuck during startup or boots to a black screen, try booting into Safe Mode (hold Shift while booting) to diagnose issues. You can also try resetting the SMC if startup problems persist.
Summary
Upgrading to macOS Ventura from Big Sur is possible, but requires some preparation. The key steps are:
- Back up your Mac using Time Machine
- Check app compatibility and update or replace incompatible apps
- Free up storage space to at least 35GB if doing an in-place upgrade
- Download the Ventura installer from the App Store
- Either do a clean install by erasing your drive first, or an in-place upgrade directly from Big Sur
To be compatible with Ventura, your Mac must have been introduced in 2017 or later. Some older apps may not work properly after upgrading, so check compatibility ahead of time. Overall, with some planning and preparation, upgrading from macOS Big Sur to Ventura is definitely achievable.