Similar to other OS, Mac has brought the latest version of the operating system named Mac OS Catalina. The mac developer gets this newest update by including some of the latest features and fixing bugs. So, a question may typically arise to the user, like should I upgrade to Catalina.
So, to clarify the question, here we give details information regarding that newest update.
Table of Contents
What is Catalina?
As part of should I upgrade to Catalina, we introduce you with the Catalina. Mac OS 10.15 or mac OS Catalina is the latest version of the Mac operating system. The developer launched the Catalina in 2019 with some new features. Interestingly, this operating system was named after Santa Catalina Island, which is on Southern California.
What’s New in should I upgrade to Catalina?
You can find some new and modified items in mac OS Catalina. Here are the features that will help to decide on should I upgrade to Catalina:
Good Bye iTunes
Apple discarded the iTunes app in the Catalina version. Since 2001, this iTunes app was a part of the mac OS. They divided iTunes into three apps which are Podcasts, Music, and TV. These apps are the same as iTunes, and their functions are the same. After that, comes the device manager. Instead of using an app, you have to use Finder to manage your devices in Catalina. Also, you can sync media by using Podcasts, Apple TV, and the Music app.
In mac OS Catalina, Home Sharing is available as the previous version. You can find Home Sharing in System Preferences. At first, go to System Preferences, then Sharing. There you can find Media Sharing. In the Media Sharing box, you can find the Home Sharing.
Apple Music
Like iTunes, you can have full access to the music library. Moreover, the app from Catalina contains the iTunes Music Store, on where you can also access Apple Music contents. For example, iTunes Mojave, these music apps offers a user purchased or imported music’s through Apple Music.
In the library, you can access your all playlists and smart playlists. You can organize your music by albums, artists, playlists, songs, and all you can get in one spot. So, you don’t have to search for your favorite music or albums.
Apple TV of should I upgrade to Catalina
Like the Apple TV app on the iOS and Apple TV devices, the Apple TV on the Catalina update is the same. Besides, you can access Apple TV+ (Apple’s streaming television service) and watch films and movies. Surprisingly, this Apple TV app on Catalina supports 4K HDR content along with Dolby Atmos.
Also, you can find a library feature for all purchased all TV shows and movies that you bought from iTunes. There are also suggestions for TV shows and Movies to discover along with a Kids tab for the kids.
Apple Podcasts should I upgrade to Catalina
The new Podcast app is the split version of iTunes. The Podcast is a simple app. Very few people may listen to podcasts. This app comes in handy for those who like to listen to a lot of podcasts. However, in this new version, you can access your podcast library.
There are several features in the Podcast app. You can find browsing features, managing the library, top charts view, along with editor-curated categories.
Sidecar Feature
Moreover, in this new Catalina version, you can find a sidecar feature. This feature lets you use a secondary display with the Mac. With only a click of a button, it turns your iPad into a show for the Mac. On any Mac app window, hold the mouse over the green button.
This will get you a secondary display with your available iPad. Also, you can turn your iPad into a drawing tablet because the Apple Pencil supports the sidecar feature. To display the same content on both screens, you can extend the display.
Security of should I upgrade to Catalina
Security is a useful option that needs to be considered. In mac OS Catalina, safety is increased. Apple’s security protocol, the Gatekeeper, checks all the installed apps for security issues. Also, apps that need to access your document will require permission.
Bad news for the thieves came along with this update. If you use an Apple watch to unlock your mac, then a severe update came. You will find an option by tapping the side button of the eye which approves security prompts. For the first time, mac supports activation locks that have a T2 chip in them. So, if your Mac gets stolen, then nothing to worry about. It is useless to the thief.
Finding Mac
A new feature named Find My Mac and Find My Friends technology is available. It is like the iPad and iOS 13. With this feature, you can track your device when you are offline.
Moreover, in mac OS Catalina, screen time has expanded. Not in just iPhone or iPad, now you can track your device usage in all of your devices.
You can now port your iPad apps over to the mac with the Mac Catalyst, which ultimately brings a vast number of mac OS apps in the store.
Apple Photos
In mac OS Catalina, there is a new interface for the photos app that can organize your pictures by day, month, or year. By choosing wisely, you can walk in your memory lane whenever you wish.
Siri Search
Just like Google, there is a Siri suggestion in Safari that displays recently visited sites, bookmarks, links, reading list selections, and iCloud tabs. With Siri’s advice, you can get a more personalized start page.
In the Catalina version, you can block emails from specific senders, mute threads, and unsubscribe from all the commercial mails. In notes, you can find a new Gallery View option with folder sharing.
Remainders
There is a change in the Remainders app. Interestingly, you will find a new user interface, attachment support, smart lists, and messages. Moreover, this makes it easier to organize and create the remainders. Besides, there is a voice control option by which is connected with Siri. It comes in handy when users cannot traditionally use Mac. You will find this feature in iPad and iOS 13 also.
Though there are so many exciting features in mac OS Catalina, still some might not be likeable to the users. Then a question may come, should I upgrade to Catalina?
Is it worth it?
Well, there are a few features that you should consider before upgrading to Catalina.
- First of all, your 32-bit apps won’t work after upgrading to Catalina. Because it only supports 64-bit apps. Some of your older apps which haven’t been updated won’t work at all. However, you will get a warning while installing Catalina the first time. Also, the Dashboard has been officially removed from mac OS in Catalina.
- To increase the security and to make sure that an attacker cannot destabilize, the disk structure changed by Apple in Catalina. Instead of having one main volume, now Catalina runs its read-only work. Now, Catalina’s boot volume and the single work looks like a single volume. So, it would be best if you never upgraded to Catalina without a compatible backup app.
- An unnotarized app on Catalina won’t work. So, if you try to install an older app, it may not work.
- Catalina will ask for permission for every app that wants to access your file. This feature is useful for security but may seem disturbing.
- Require restarts for the Kernel extensions. Kernel extensions are required sometimes for third-party apps. You have to give it permission in System Preferences. At first, go to System Preferences and then Security and Privacy option. Then you need to restart your Mac.
- As you upgrade to Catalina, the apps also require to upgrade to be compatible with the version. Like other apps, WhizzyWriter also needs to upgrade, but the new version requires a new file format. The older version cannot read the documents.
FAQ of should I upgrade to Catalina
Should you upgrade to mac OS Catalina?
Though there are so many exciting features in mac OS Catalina, still some might not be likeable to the users. Then a question may come, should I upgrade to Catalina? Is it worth it? Well, there are a few features that you should consider before upgrading to Catalina.
- First of all, your 32-bit apps won’t work after upgrading to Catalina. Because it only supports 64-bit apps. Some of your older apps which haven’t been updated won’t work at all. However, you will get a warning while installing Catalina the first time. Also, the Dashboard has been officially removed from mac OS in Catalina.
- To increase the security and to make sure that an attacker cannot destabilize, the disk structure changed by Apple in Catalina. Instead of having one main volume, now Catalina runs its read-only work. Now, Catalina’s boot volume and the single work looks like a single volume. So, it would help if you never upgraded to Catalina without a compatible backup app.
- An unnotarized app on Catalina won’t work. So, if you try to install an older app, it may not work.
- Catalina will ask for permission for every app that wants to access your file. This feature is useful for security but may seem disturbing.
- Require restarts for the Kernel extensions. Kernel extensions are required sometimes for third-party apps. You have to give it permission in System Preferences. At first, go to System Preferences and then Security and Privacy option. Then you need to restart your Mac.
- As you upgrade to Catalina, the apps also require to upgrade to be compatible with the version. Like other apps, WhizzyWriter also needs to upgrade, but the new version requires a new file format. The older version cannot read the documents.
Does updating mac OS Catalina delete everything?
No. Updating to Catalina does not touch or erase your data. Pre-installed apps just get upgraded, but it does not erase the app’s data. It would help if you were responsible for the sanity of your data. However, you can keep an extra backup of your data to make sure you don’t lose them.
Is mac OS Catalina any good?
Catalina is the latest version of mac OS. There are so many upgrades and new features that you will find in Catalina. But there are some conditions that you may consider before upgrading to Catalina. First of all, your 32-bit apps won’t work after upgrading to Catalina because it only supports 64-bit apps.
Some of your older apps which haven’t been updated won’t work at all. However, you will get a warning while installing Catalina the first time. Also, the Dashboard has been officially removed from mac OS in Catalina. An unnotarized app on Catalina won’t work. So, if you try to install an older app, it may not work.
Catalina will ask for permission for every app that wants to access your file. This feature is useful for security but may seem disturbing. To increase the safety and to make sure that an attacker cannot destabilize, the disk structure changed by Apple in Catalina.
Instead of having one main volume, now Catalina runs its read-only work. Now, Catalina’s boot volume and the single volume looks like a single volume. So, it would help if you never upgraded to Catalina without a compatible backup app.
Final Thought of should I upgrade to Catalina
Hopefully, our discussion will clarify your query on should I upgrade to Catalina but anything we miss, feel free to ask through comment section.
