hcguider

Q: Is it necessary to back up your mac before downloading Sierra?

Will the update erase the content on my mac? or can i get away with not backing it up and everything will still be intact.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014), iOS 10.0.2

Posted on Sep 29, 2016 12:34 PM

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Q: Is it necessary to back up your mac before downloading Sierra?

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  • by Michael Driskill,

    Michael Driskill Michael Driskill Sep 29, 2016 12:53 PM in response to hcguider
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Sep 29, 2016 12:53 PM in response to hcguider

    Always back up your mac to a time machine device before starting installation of a new OS. The OS may turn out to be less than what you expected. Example: I downloaded and installed Sierra; it opened once today, then I restarted after trashing some files and it opened up in Capitan even though under About this Mac it said it was running Sierra. It also shows the Siri icon at the top of the screen (and that works oddly enough). Back up, then you have protection against loosing some important stuff....

  • by Old Toad,Apple recommended

    Old Toad Old Toad Sep 29, 2016 1:07 PM in response to hcguider
    Level 10 (141,316 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 29, 2016 1:07 PM in response to hcguider

    If all goes as intended everything will be intact after upgrading to Sierra (except for the system).  However, it's like driving without a seatbelt.  You don't need it until you do. 

     

    I would never install a new system or system update without having a current backup of my boot drive. 

     

    OTsig.png

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Oct 4, 2016 12:08 PM in response to hcguider
    Level 9 (50,841 points)
    Desktops
    Oct 4, 2016 12:08 PM in response to hcguider

    It is always necessary to back up your Mac, even more so when replacing your operating system!