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Updating

Hello, I am using macOS High Sierra 10.13.6, I haven't updated my mackbook since I bought it in 2018. I need to update it, however I am bit nervous to do it since it hasn't been done for a few years. Is there a possibility to run into any issues? Like loosing data?

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Jul 12, 2021 4:35 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 12, 2021 6:45 AM

Hello, joana46.


Yes, there is a possibility to run into issues and lose data. Please do yourself a favor and use Time Machine to backup your system before you update and/or upgrade your MacBook. It's easy to do once you have a USB external drive in hand. Buy a drive that is 2x the capacity of your MBP startup drive and follow the steps in this article to create the backup.

Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250


After that, you can breathe easier knowing that you're protected if something goes sideways.


4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 12, 2021 6:45 AM in response to joana46

Hello, joana46.


Yes, there is a possibility to run into issues and lose data. Please do yourself a favor and use Time Machine to backup your system before you update and/or upgrade your MacBook. It's easy to do once you have a USB external drive in hand. Buy a drive that is 2x the capacity of your MBP startup drive and follow the steps in this article to create the backup.

Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250


After that, you can breathe easier knowing that you're protected if something goes sideways.


Jul 12, 2021 8:03 AM in response to joana46

Do you have a Rescue Plan In-Place. This comprises having 3 Backups using 2 methods and 1 Off Site incase of Theft, Loss or Natural Disasters. A Time Machine Backup  is very useful and can be used to Revert to Previous Working macOS. For addition purposes - two Tested Bootable Clones each to separate external drives. This is insurance incase the upgrades goes sideways. At least one Tested Clone and / or Time Machine Backup should be Off - Site

Jul 13, 2021 6:10 AM in response to PRP_53

Thanks a lot for the information. I do backup with the Time Machine I also sync my files with dropbox, I might get another external drive before updating. Is there anything else that can happen to the system? I wonder in what way upgrading can go sideways and if there is anything at all I can do to avoid things going wrong?

Updating

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