Sequoia, Apple's Mac OS upgrade release for September 16, 2024
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, and 15.0 Sequoia client release.
Sequoia, Mac OS 15.0 was released on September 16, 2024. It is not to be confused with MacOS Catalina.
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 Sequoia via Apple menu -> System Settings -> Software Update, and Apple menu -> About This Mac Software Update. Like Ventura, and Sonoma, System Preferences has been replaced by System Settings.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 Sonoma.
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 2020 and later 9,1 Mac OS 10.15 Monterey
- 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.
The only minimum system change from Sonoma is the MacBook Air.
Like Sonoma, only the Mac Studio had a minimum that was Apple Silicon. The rest were Intel, and supported Boot Camp.
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 Sequoia and its features are on this link: macOS Sequoia.
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. November 2020 and later Macs also support iOS Apps, but do not add touch support. The earliest MacBook Air that supports Sequoia does not support iOS Apps, but does Support Boot Camp.
No Sierra or older system will be able to see the contents of Sequoia systems that are installed on solid state drives, as APFS formatting is used on High Sierra and higher systems which are the minimum for Sequoia. 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 Sequoia 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 Sequoia 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, and Sequoia 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 Sequoia support (information current as of September 16, 2024. Updates may come later)
Brother - Now has Sequoia support (September 24th edit).
Canon - a keyword search provides several printers that have new Sequoia support.
Epson - new Sequoia page
Fujitsu - no specific Sequoia support. Provides search engine for drivers.
HP/Samsung - not specific to Sequoia, but providing a quick way to search compatibility
Konica/Minolta - page still limited to Sonoma
Lexmark - website only shows support up to Mojave.
Okidata Sonoma support only. Sequoia page just opened.
Ricoh - has Sequoia support
Xerox - new OS support page listing Sonoma at writing of this tip.
Digital Cameras:
For software that is compatible with Windows but not MacOS, I've written this tip.
