MacBook Air: Upgrade from Sequoia 15.5 to Tahoe 26.4?

Jen Niles wrote:

[...]

Software Update in Settings gives me two choices: Sequoia 15.7.5 and Tahoe 26.4

My question is: Can I skip right to Tahoe 26.4 or do I need to stop at that interim Sequoia version first? (and if so, how long before I can move on to Tahoe?)

[...]

Yes, you can skip right to Tahoe, but either option should be fine.

Updating your Sequoia OS first is not a requirement, though some will suggest it as a prudent step.

Should you choose to update Sequoia, there is no need to wait before upgrading to Tahoe 26. You can upgrade immediately.

Jen Niles wrote:

Hi. I have a MacBook Air currently running Sequoia 15.5, and I want to update the OS because my Finder is no longer letting me search. So getting the OS up-to-date will be my first step on attempting to solve that problem.

Software Update in Settings gives me two choices: Sequoia 15.7.5 and Tahoe 26.4

My question is: Can I skip right to Tahoe 26.4 or do I need to stop at that interim Sequoia version first? (and if so, how long before I can move on to Tahoe?)

I would advise against the macOS 26.4 Tahoe upgrade in order to fix this specific issue. You will more likely introduce more problems which can complicate addressing the current Finder issue. Plus, you should only upgrade to Tahoe on your own terms & only when you are ready. Tahoe is an OS where it is either love it or hate it with the new Liquid Glass look. Plus I would avoid 26.4 specifically since it has introduced a few new issues. At this time I would stop at 26.2 where it solved the initial Tahoe release issues whereas later updates reintroduced one for me.

If an OS update/upgrade is going to fix your Finder issue, then the 15.7.5 update should do it as well without making major changes like Tahoe would.

What do you mean Finder won't let you search? What happens when you try to search using the Finder?

The three most likely culprits are:

• An issue with third party software that is interfering with the normal operation of macOS. Usual culprits are anti-virus software, cleaning/optimizer apps, and third party security software.
• Spotlight Index needs to be rebuilt
• Finder preference file is corrupt

FYI, you always want to address any system issues with the current version of macOS before upgrading to a new major version of macOS such as Tahoe. And always do a bit of research prior to installing a new major version of macOS to learn whether your apps (especially third party apps) & your work flows will have any compatibility issues. Also, it is a good idea to see what issues others may be having with the new OS.....most issues will be caused by third party apps, but there will always be some bugs with the OS itself. Best to be prepared before making the jump.

Follow up-

On second contemplation, you might actually first try the Sequoia update and see if that has any effect on your Finder issue.

If so, then you you can hold off on the Tahoe upgrade, if for no other reason than the Tahoe upgrade does introduce some changes to the OS and several apps that seem to trigger severe dislike in some users. I am not one of those, though I admit some changes are 'extreme'. The Liquid Glass changes to the graphic interface are always in one's face, and the loss of the LaunchPad app and changes to the Music controls are the most complained about, as I see it.

I am fine with Tahoe on my MBA.

Our friend, @HWTech offers good guidance. 👍🏽

Jen Niles wrote:

Thank you. To answer your question, "won't let me search" means that I put in a word that I know full well exists in a file name, but no search results come up. Doesn't matter what folder I am in, or what word or file type I am searching on, things that are there do not come up.

I know when I use the search bar in a Finder window, it may sometimes search the current folder, but sometimes it may search the entire Mac instead of the current folder. When searching in the Finder, it may popup some options as you type the search pattern so you can select "Name Contains" so the pattern will only match a file name.

Just to confirm are you searching using the search bar in a Finder window or are you using the Spotlight search which has the magnifier glass on the menubar?

"Third party apps" -- do you mean like the app called Clean My Mac? (i.e. ones that really do get involved in looking at all the files)

Yes, this would count as an anti-virus app and a cleaning/optimizer app and CMM is notorious on this forum for causing all sorts of problems including system crashes. Uninstall the app by following the developer's instructions. We've seen a lot of reports over the years that the developer's uninstall methods may still leave parts of CMM behind to cause problems, so after uninstalling the app you should run the third party app EtreCheck and post the complete report here so we can see if any parts of CMM remain installed.

How to use the Add Text Feature When Posting an EtreCheck Report - Apple Community

or do you mean random things like Zoom Workspace, Discord, Slack etc.

Those generally won't cause system issues.

Anyway I am going to try Safe Mode first. Thanks again!!

Unfortunately Safe Mode is not as good a test as it was some years ago as it may still leave some third party software active such as Finder extensions (no personal experience, but believe I saw a respected forum contributor mention this not too long ago). However, if Safe Mode has things working, then at least it has confirmed the issue is most likely due to third party software.

Will second HWTech's advice, and not update just to see if an issue get's fixed.

Adding a large update on top of an existing issue is not the best idea.

Best to first try to resolve it in the current version. Also it's unlikely the update would fix anything caused by a 3rd party app or corrupted spotlight index anyway.

If the Finder search is no longer offering results, it's very likely an index issue.

Try starting in safe mode and checking the search again from there first. That can be an easy way to determine if it's a 2rd party app or extension that is getting loaded or something else.

click here ➜ Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support (Do note, Safe Mode and take a bit of time to load, so be patient)

If it still won't work, then try the Spotlight Index rebuild.

With that said, no, you don't need to update to Sequoia first, you can go to Tahoe directly without any issues.

Also, Tahoe offers some visual and layout changes but overall the function remains pretty much the same, though people like to make a "storm in a teacup" in regards to upgrades, even when they are at most just mildly annoying.

Jen Niles wrote:

Regarding this statement ("I know when I use the search bar in a Finder window, it may sometimes search the current folder, but sometimes it may search the entire Mac instead of the current folder. When searching in the Finder, it may popup some options as you type the search pattern so you can select "Name Contains" so the pattern will only match a file name."),--all of this is pretty basic stuff that I know. I do Name Contains all the time but sometimes try the others -- but none are working right now.

Also, I never used Spotlight. My husband suggested I try it. So I did, and it gave me a whole bunch of matches like web sites & the like, not documents that I wanted...so I clicked "see more" or whatever it was, and boom, they put me right back into the Finder window which is where I usually search.

I was just checking to make sure we are talking about the same thing. Some people use terms very generously.

I have been too busy to do anything like uninstall Clean My Mac. My husband always says "I’ve never had a problem with Clean My Mac and I’ve been using it for years." I used to use it too, but let the subscription lapse because my local Mac repair shop said it was bad. But then my husband persuaded me to try it again. Mostly because the idea of choosing an alternative is overwhelming and anxiety-inducing (neurodivergence).

Very nice to see a repair shop provide some wise advice.

I suggest your husband read the following article:

Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community

This project might have to wait til taxes are done. thanks for your help

Update this thread when you get back & have uninstalled CMM. We'll be waiting for the results.