Is it safe to update Mac M2 to Sonoma 14.5 considering the file deletion concerns?

Updates and upgrades are always subject to risk of data loss.

Storage on computers is at its most tempramental when updates and upgrades happen as the underlying system manages the storage.

It is to this end anyone who says you don't need a backup is asking for a bruising. Don't update unless you have at least two separate backups of all your critical data in two separate locations. These locations can be the Cloud, an external hard drive, a flash drive, an external solid state drive, printouts, CDs, DVDs, a personal website, another computer that you have regular access to.

Keep in mind, IMAP and Exchange email both store information essentially in the Cloud unless you create an On My Mac folder for the information.

Anything in the Cloud, you are depending on the Cloud hosts own backup routines to be stable in event something fails.

There is no such thing as permanent storage.

This tip covers how to backup your data:

Backup now, or forever hold your peace - … - Apple Community

I just updated my M2 Mac Mini Pro from Sonoma 14.4.1 to 14.5. No files have gone missing. I also have regular interval Time Machine backups in case I am the reason a file inadvertently goes missing.

I have never lost any user files from any macOS update or upgrade ever, so those "some people" may have had other responsibility issues that they erroneously blamed on the operating system.

Go ahead and update your M2 Mac.

PatTheDude26 wrote:

Some people have stated that once they upgraded, some of their files and various things were deleted. That’s my concern if I were to upgrade

Don't believe what you read on the internet. It isn't true.

Why do you want to upgrade in the first place? The only new features in macOS 14.5 are:

- Quartiles is a new and original daily word game that is now available in Apple News+

- Scoreboard in News+ Puzzles gives you access to new player data for Crossword, Mini Crossword and Quartiles, including stats and streaks

If you really want those new features, then I recommend doing the upgrade. If you are already running any version of macOS 14, then I strongly recommend this upgrade. This new game and the scoreboard features would be likely to keep you entertained and less likely to read lies and misinformation posted on the internet. In my book, that's a solid win.

Some people have stated that once they upgraded, some of their files and various things were deleted. That’s my concern if I were to upgrade

Millions more people have upgraded and not had any problems.

You should contact "some people" and query as to what system modifications or file management tools they use. That may help determine if you have the same modifications and susceptible to whatever mysterious problem it might cause them to lose files.

You should ALWAYS have an up to date backup. This is even more important when you update or upgrade your system. In case something goes awry, you make sure not to lose your precious data.

More often than not, everything just works, but then there is Murphy's Law... which in this case can be stated as "when you do not have a backup, it is more likely that something goes wrong".

Not having a Time Machine backup is just irresponsible, IMO. If you lose data because you did not back it up, it will be on you.

FWIW, I've been running 14.5 since the first beta release on three different Macs and have never lost any files.

PatTheDude26 wrote:

I can update it without any problems? No hard drive needed or anything?

Update macOS on Mac

PatTheDude26 wrote:

I’m wanting to update my Mac m2 to the newest release, but with all the deletion that’s been going on with the update I’m second guessing.

What are these file deletions?

Has anyone had files/anything deleted per this new update?

I recently upgraded my Sonoma virtual machine to 14.5. I didn’t notice any unusual behaviour. But of course, it is just for testing and I don’t have any personal files on it.