Written by
Yvonne Feng
Summary: Can I upgrade from Big Sur to Sequoia? Yes! This guide will show you how. Before upgrading, ensure you have enough disk space—iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Mac can help you free up storage easily.
My parents' computer runs slow all the time, and they are on Big Sur. If I try to update them to Sequoia, will this help them run faster? How do I update it? - Reddit
Is your Mac running slow? You're not alone. Many users have reported sluggish performance and are wondering if upgrading to Sequoia can help improve speed.
Whatever your reason for upgrading from Big Sur to Sequoia, this guide will walk you through the process step by step. It's easier than you think!
What to do before upgrading to Sequoia?
Before upgrading from Big Sur to Sequoia, you need to do some preparatory work to make the process go more smoothly.
Checking Mac compatibility
Have you checked your Mac model yet? Not all Macs running macOS Big Sur can upgrade directly to macOS Sequoia. Click the Apple menu > About This Mac, then check the Overview section to see your Mac model and its release year.
According to Apple's official information, macOS Sequoia is compatible with the following devices:
- MacBook Air (2020 and later models, M1, M2, M3 chips)
- MacBook Pro (2018 and later models, Intel/M1/M2/M3)
- Mac mini (2018 and later models, Intel/M1/M2/M3)
- iMac (2019 and later models, Intel/M1/M3)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- Mac Studio (all models, M1/M2)
- Mac Pro (2019 and later models, Intel/M2 Ultra)
Checking storage space
More importantly, macOS Sequoia requires at least 30GB of available storage space for a smooth installation. You can check your current disk space by going to > About This Mac > Storage and manually deleting unnecessary files to free up storage.
If manually cleaning up files feels too time-consuming, you can use a third-party tool like iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Mac. This professional disk management software can automatically scan and identify junk files on your system, allowing you to preview and delete them with just one click to free up storage space efficiently.
Backup important data
Before upgrading your system, it's crucial to back up your important files to prevent unexpected data loss. For a full backup, it's recommended to use Time Machine or an external hard drive.
This way, you can easily restore your data if anything goes wrong during the upgrade. If your Mac encounters issues after the update, a Time Machine backup allows you to roll back to the previous state, keeping your data safe and secure.
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How to upgrade from Big Sur to Sequoia?
After completing the preparations, ensure your Mac is plugged into a power source and connected to a stable Wi-Fi or wired network to prevent upgrade failure due to power loss or network interruptions.
Next, it is recommended to update your current macOS to the latest version to minimize potential issues during the upgrade process.
You can do this by opening Apple Menu > System Settings > Software Update. If an update for macOS Big Sur is available, click Update Now. Once the update is complete, restart your Mac.
Once your Mac is ready, you can proceed with downloading macOS Sequoia.
- Open Apple Menu > System Settings > Software Update.
- Wait for macOS Sequoia to appear (this may take some time).
- Click Download (the download speed depends on your internet connection).
- Once the download is complete, click Install Now.
Note: If the update doesn't appear, try restarting your Mac and checking again. Alternatively, you can manually download macOS Sequoia from the Mac App Store.
After downloading, you can follow these steps to install macOS Sequoia:
- Click Install and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Your Mac may restart multiple times during the installation process. Once the installation is complete, proceed with the initial system setup
The installation process typically takes 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your Mac's performance.
Once the installation is finished, you can open App Store > Updates to ensure all your apps are compatible with macOS Sequoia.
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Is it worth upgrading to Sequoia?
Overall, if your Mac is powered by an M1 or a newer chip, upgrading to macOS Sequoia may improve memory management and energy efficiency, resulting in a smoother system experience.
This update introduces many new features, such as iPhone Mirroring, a more intelligent window management system, and an enhanced Safari browser.
However, for older Macs with Intel processors, Sequoia may not deliver significant performance improvements and could even slow down due to increased system resource demands.
Therefore, before upgrading, it's recommended to check whether your essential software is compatible with the new system.
Share this article with your friends to help more people upgrade from Big Sur to Sequoia.
