after reading so many issues in macOS Monterey i

blackbaloon wrote:

after reading so many issues in macOS Monterey I'm worried about upgrading from Big Sur 11.6.1. I have MBA M1 2020 and this is my only device and if something happens to it I'm doomed. What should I do? Please help

?

If you value your user data—

3-2-1 Backup Strategy: three copies of your data, two different methods, and one offsite.

Upgrading macOS without fear - Apple Support Communities

Tips:  Upgrade to Monterey macOS 12

October 29, 2021 Version # 1

The below points should be consider before attempting the upgrade.

Point # 1 - Does the >>  Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade 

Point # 2- >> How to upgrade to macOS Monterey

Point # 3 - Empty Space Requirements  >> If upgrading from macOS Sierra or later, your Mac needs 26GB of available storage to upgrade. If upgrading from an earlier release, your Mac needs up to 44GB of available storage. 

Point # 4 - Empty Space afterwards - it is suggested to keep at least 15% of the Drive Total Capacity as Empty Space for good operations of the computer and for additional updates to Monterey to download, expand and install.

Point # 5 - The upgrade will require a quick, stable and reliable Internet Connection - preferred method is via Ethernet Connection. 

Point # 6 - If using Wifi - move computer as close to the Access Point / Router and disconnect all other devices connected to Wifi. Want the maximum bandwidth for the computer being upgraded to Monterey

Point # 7 - Commercial VPNs should only be used if Mandated by Corporate Head Office for working remotely. Otherwise - ones Privacy and Security touted by the VPN is suspect. 

Point # 8 - If downloading Monterey from behind a VPN it may increase Packet Looses and an incomplete or corrupted Installer.

Point # 9 - AntiVirus Software should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS including the download and installation of Monterey. The The Built in Security  is all that is required. There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 

Point # 10 - Disk Cleaners, Optimizers and UnInstaller are not needed. They will often times attempt to Modify, Alter, Remove or Delete elements of the Operating System requiring a Re-Installation.

Point # 11 - 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. 

Point # 12 - 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

Point # 13 - Are the installed Applications / Extensions compatible with Monterey. Check with the Developer for compatible Apps / extensions. Do they offer updates or upgrades. Same goes for Third Party Drivers for Printer, Scanners etc.

Point # 14 - If upgrading from Mojave and earlier versions of macOS - Remember that Monterey does not support anything 32 bit. These include Applications, Extensions and Drivers for any devices. There is no workaround.

Point # 15 - To check for 32 bit Applications - a good application to use is Go64 - safe to use.

If you're concerned try this:

1 - get and external SSD

2 - using Carbon Copy Cloner clone your boot drive to it.

3 - boot into the clone SSD and install Monterey.

4 - run for a while and see if it there's any significant problems.

A inexpensive external SSD for this type of testing is this:

Be sure you have plenty of free space on any drive you try to install Monterey on. I recommend a minimum of 100GB.

The only problem I've experienced with Monterey is with screensavers that use photos. They don't work. I don't normally use them but tested for another user.

I had the same problem. If you haven’t solved it try to revive the laptop with DFU procedure. I wish your Apple Store is helpful like mine and may do it quickly for you. I am so angry reading about many people told to have expensive hardware replacements by this defective update.

Back up your device before upgrading. Most users haven't experienced any issues; these forums just have the folks with questions.

FWIW, Monterey is humming right along without issue on my M1 MacBook Air.

In this forum users only post problems. There are not posts from users who have no problems. Based on past upgrades, there are no more problems than in the past.

Don’t do it, I have Macbook Pro it suddenly turned black when I was updating and hasn’t turned on since. This is coming from a college student it is not worth it.