Sonoma, September 26, 2023 release
This is part of a series of tips from Mac OS 10.13 High Sierra, 10.14 Mojave, 10.15 Catalina, 11.0 Big Sur, 12.0 Monterey, 13.0 Ventura, 14.0 Sonoma, 15.0 Sequoia client release.
Sonoma, Mac OS 14.0 was released on September 26, 2023.
Before upgrading, don't do so, in order to optimize your speed. Frequently an optimizer will slow you down, and it won't stop from slowing you down by upgrading your system. Your first step is to make sure your system is running optimally before upgrading. Upgrades are there for feature enhancements and new features. If you have already been trying optimizers, read what I have to say about removing them:
Amended comments to MacKeeper tip - Apple Community
The latest system wide security update for Sonoma via Apple menu -> System Settings -> Software Update, and Apple menu -> About This Mac Software Update. Like Ventura, System Preferences has been replaced by System Settings. This interface is more like the Settings App of iPhone and iPad.
Server release editions of the OS, visit this forum:
macOS Server - Apple Community
Earlier tips exist, but are not mentioned as there is no direct upgrade path on the same computer running older operating systems except to network with Macs running Ventura.
As with all updates and upgrades, it is recommended you backup your data first.
Here are the minimum hardware requirements with System Profiler Machine ID, minimum operating system:
- iMac 2019 and later 19,1 Mac OS 10.14 Mojave
- Mac Pro 2019 and later 7,1 Mac OS 10.14 Mojave
- iMac Pro 2017 1,1 Mac OS 10.13 High Sierra
- Mac Studio 2022 Mac13,x Mac OS 12.0 Monterey
- MacBook Air 2018 and later 8,1 Mac OS 10.14 Mojave
- Mac mini 2018 and later 8,1 Mac OS 10.14 Mojave
- MacBook Pro 2018 and later 15,1 Mac OS 10.13 High Sierra
- MacBook no moniker not supported. Must have Air or Pro.
An upgrade will not fix errors, kernel panics, or issues with slowness. Optimizers and anti-virus utilities should be disabled before performing the upgrade from the App Store. You may also find Filevault can slow down the upgrade.
The complete system requirements for Sonoma and its features are on this link: macOS Sonoma - Apple
All security updates and point release updates are released through Apple menu -> About This Mac -> Software Update and the system settings for it. Apple security releases - Apple Support
discusses the security releases. Like the full version release, a clone backup is essential if you want to roll back the clock to ensure any incompatibilities aren't software related.
We will be updating this tip as information becomes available.
Like all Catalina and later operating systems, you must have all 64 bit applications and drivers to upgrade from earlier operating systems.
Third party compatibility information that predates the release date should be taken with a grain of salt.
https://roaringapps.com/apps?platform=osx is a nice third party listing of those updates. Check with individual vendors as well. 2020 and later Macs also support iOS Apps, but do not add touch support.
No Sierra or older system will be able to see the contents of Sonoma systems that are installed on solid state drives, as APFS formatting is used on High Sierra and higher systems which are the minimum for Sonoma. The only way to get Sierra to see it is via network connections, and not Target Disk Mode connections.
As no Sierra compatible Mac can have Sonoma installed only mounting a High Sierra or later Mac in target mode does it matter that APFS is the primary formatting for High SIerra and later, and Sierra doesn't support it. You may find it is easier to network Sierra than use it in target disk mode if you want Sierra to be the host machine, and Sonoma to be the target machine. High Sierra gives optional HFS Extended GUID formatting to platter drives, but not solid state drives. Mojave and later you can use HFS Extended GUID to format the drive, but it will automatically format as APFS when you install an OS.
Once you upgrade, Ventura & Sonoma have a new means of determining free space, and that's on
Free up storage space on your Mac - Apple Support
Apple's Airprint - use Option key when adding the printer in the system settings to pick up on any existing WiFi connected printer on the same WiFi network as the Mac that Supports Airprint. Note this driver may be based on generic open source drivers, as opposed to manufacturer specific drivers.
The following printer manufacturers have identified their Sonoma support:
Canon - a keyword search provides several printers that have new Sonoma support.
Fujitsu - no specific Sonoma support. Provides search engine for drivers.
HP/Samsung - not specific to Sonoma, but providing a quick way to search compatibility
Konica/Minolta - now has Sonoma
Lexmark - website only shows support up to Mojave.
Okidata - Sonoma support
Xerox (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or Preview on the Mac)
Digital Cameras:
Digital camera RAW formats supported by iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma - Apple Support
For software that is compatible with Windows but not MacOS, I've written this tip.