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macOS Sonoma 14.4: Reasons Not to Update
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Been playing Sonoma games since 12/22/23 with 14.1 on a 2023 Mac Mini M2 with Ventura 13.6.3. External 2T NVMe drive failed to mount, could not access data. Tried every fix. Nothing worked. Reinstalled Ventura, all is good. Tried again with fresh install of 14.3, same bad result. Even spent an afternoon at the Apple store. Clean installed Ventura 13.6.3 and now I'm a happy camper. Saw this post today on macOS Sonoma community: "There's a fix currently in progress. It will be available in the form of an upcoming 14.4.1 update very soon." Hopefully, this is true! I am afraid of Sonoma and wasting so much time again!
Since Apple unveiled macOS Sonoma 14.4 on March 7, the transition to the latest software update has not been entirely smooth for everyone, and a number of issues have been reported by users that significantly impact their daily workflow.
This article lists the most prominent challenges users have faced since updating to macOS Sonoma 14.4, and offers potential solutions where available.
USB Hub and Monitor Ports
Lost Connectivity
Some users have experienced connectivity issues with USB hubs and monitors with USB ports since updating to macOS 14.4, with several reports of mice, keyboards, and other peripherals no longer being detected. While Apple works on a fix, a handful of users have had some success by changing the setting "Allow accessories to connect" to "Ask for new accessories" under the Security section of System Settings ➝ Privacy & Security.
Java Processes
Unexpected Terminations
Oracle last week warned that the macOS 14.4 update can cause Java processes to "terminate unexpectedly" on Macs. The issue affects all Java versions from Java 8 to the early access builds of JDK 22, and there is no workaround available. Affected users might be unable to return to a stable configuration unless they have a complete backup of their systems prior to the OS update.
Printer Operation
Removed or Corrupted Drivers
The update may remove or corrupt printer drivers. Specifically, the core CUPS software for printing operations over a network seems to be removed. HP printers in particular appear to be affected, but the exact commonalities between the reports, such as the use of Microsoft Defender or JAMF mobile device management software, are not entirely clear. Some users have found a workaround by granting Full Disk Access to certain processes in System Settings ➝ Privacy & Security. Despite these attempts, a comprehensive solution has not yet been found.
PACE/iLok Protections
Audio Unit Plugins Crash
There have been reports of compatibility issues with PACE products, including the iLok License Manager, connected to Apple silicon Macs running macOS 14.4. The problem specifically impacts plugins from various manufacturers that are safeguarded by PACE/iLok, including those made by Universal Audio, when used with host DAWs such as Logic Pro. Temporarily setting a DAW and the iLok License Manager application to run in Rosetta mode appears to circumvent the issue.
iCloud Drive
Destroys Saved Versions
Users running macOS 14.4 that have "Optimize Mac Storage" enabled should be aware that they are at risk of losing all previously saved versions of a file if they opt to remove it from iCloud Drive local storage. Versions are normally created automatically when users save files using apps that work with the version system in macOS. If you have already updated, either do not save files to iCloud Drive at all, or turning off Optimize Mac Storage. To perform the latter in System Settings, click your Apple ID, select iCloud, and then toggle off the switch next to "Optimize Mac Storage."
Consider Not Updating
If you anticipate that any of these problems could significantly impact your daily operations or productivity, it may be prudent to delay updating to the latest version of macOS Sonoma until Apple addresses these concerns with a subsequent fix. Have you identified any other issues since updating? Let us know in the comments and we might include them here if they turn out to be commonplace.
Article Link: macOS Sonoma 14.4: Reasons Not to Update
You're right. The winners are the people who do major updates as infrequently as possible and only to finished versions of macOS. Every other version is a starting point.
Why the winners? Each major version (not to mention all the point updates) brings its own bugs and workarounds. To deal with one set every three years means three times less time wasted beta testing Apple software for free, three times less down time, three times less headaches.
It's even better as by choosing which version of macOS to which to update, one can choose one of the better ones.
- Snow Leopard 10.6.8 (seven productive years0
- Mountain Leopard 10.8 (fixed Lion and didn't break anything new)
- El Capitan 10.11 (four or five productive years, last great OS X)
- Mojave 10.14 (supported third-party Radeon graphic cards properly at last, slow and clunky but serviceable)
- Monterey 12 (great only in relation to recent alternatives, last macOS with useful contrast ratio for eyes older than thirty-five)
- Lion 10.7 (everything was slower and broken)
- Yosemite 10.10 (networking was broken!)
- High Sierra 10.13 (new APFS system barely functional and buggy)
- Big Sur 11 (unstable, new permissions system barely worked)
- Ventura 13 (absurdly low interface contrast ratio, pointless move-the-cheese new preference system, updates could brick a Mac, in fairness that happened to some of us with M1 Pro and Max MBP with 12.6 too)
- Sonoma 14 (this thread describes the issue)
- Mavericks 10.9
- Sierra 10.12
- Catalina 10.15 (I heard lots of bad things about Catalina but did not suffer the misfortune of running it)
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Updated 2 machines to 14.4.1 and still alive (me too).
Since Apple unveiled macOS Sonoma 14.4 on March 7, the transition to the latest software update has not been entirely smooth for everyone, and a number of issues have been reported by users that significantly impact their daily workflow.
This article lists the most prominent challenges users have faced since updating to macOS Sonoma 14.4, and offers potential solutions where available.
USB Hub and Monitor Ports
Lost Connectivity
Some users have experienced connectivity issues with USB hubs and monitors with USB ports since updating to macOS 14.4, with several reports of mice, keyboards, and other peripherals no longer being detected. While Apple works on a fix, a handful of users have had some success by changing the setting "Allow accessories to connect" to "Ask for new accessories" under the Security section of System Settings ➝ Privacy & Security.
Java Processes
Unexpected Terminations
Oracle last week warned that the macOS 14.4 update can cause Java processes to "terminate unexpectedly" on Macs. The issue affects all Java versions from Java 8 to the early access builds of JDK 22, and there is no workaround available. Affected users might be unable to return to a stable configuration unless they have a complete backup of their systems prior to the OS update.
Printer Operation
Removed or Corrupted Drivers
The update may remove or corrupt printer drivers. Specifically, the core CUPS software for printing operations over a network seems to be removed. HP printers in particular appear to be affected, but the exact commonalities between the reports, such as the use of Microsoft Defender or JAMF mobile device management software, are not entirely clear. Some users have found a workaround by granting Full Disk Access to certain processes in System Settings ➝ Privacy & Security. Despite these attempts, a comprehensive solution has not yet been found.
PACE/iLok Protections
Audio Unit Plugins Crash
There have been reports of compatibility issues with PACE products, including the iLok License Manager, connected to Apple silicon Macs running macOS 14.4. The problem specifically impacts plugins from various manufacturers that are safeguarded by PACE/iLok, including those made by Universal Audio, when used with host DAWs such as Logic Pro. Temporarily setting a DAW and the iLok License Manager application to run in Rosetta mode appears to circumvent the issue.
iCloud Drive
Destroys Saved Versions
Users running macOS 14.4 that have "Optimize Mac Storage" enabled should be aware that they are at risk of losing all previously saved versions of a file if they opt to remove it from iCloud Drive local storage. Versions are normally created automatically when users save files using apps that work with the version system in macOS. If you have already updated, either do not save files to iCloud Drive at all, or turning off Optimize Mac Storage. To perform the latter in System Settings, click your Apple ID, select iCloud, and then toggle off the switch next to "Optimize Mac Storage."
Consider Not Updating
If you anticipate that any of these problems could significantly impact your daily operations or productivity, it may be prudent to delay updating to the latest version of macOS Sonoma until Apple addresses these concerns with a subsequent fix. Have you identified any other issues since updating? Let us know in the comments and we might include them here if they turn out to be commonplace.
Article Link: macOS Sonoma 14.4: Reasons Not to Update
Must admit that I had suffered less than others.
Occurred to me that APPLE seemed a bit aggressive:
the update was already loaded before I was aware and 'threatened' to "update and restart at night".
As if I had a choice ...
;JOOP!
I've now said goodbye to Sonoma again - M1 MacBook Air downgrade to Monterey.
It works like a dream, strangely enough I don't miss anything.
The old system settings are a blessing and the whole thing somehow seems clearer and more agile.
It's a step backwards from a technical point of view, but I'm no longer satisfied with all the updates, some of which are forced.
I think you are right: keep what you got running well and do not add what you do not need.
The only thing that worries me is that APPLE finds weaknesses and back doors for hackers
that might threat us, while APPLE just can not be transparent about it.
So they say: "update", but not exactly why, and instead they "lure" us with unnecessary new goodies.
How could we ever determine which updates are really mandatory?
;JOOP!
Be careful: "Most" is not 'All', and that list might be incomplete. Not everybody complaints here.
;JOOP!
That's correct about the back doors, but since I don't use Safari and Mail, I'm on the safe side as far as that's concerned. Monterey is also still being supplied with security updates.
The Mac Pro that's been sitting here for years is still running Mojave ;-)
I'm getting confused as to what is happening with messages.
I usually get messages on my MBP, watch, phone and ipad. And somehow or another I notice a sound and the visual notifications without difficulty.
Past week or so, the messages seem to be arriving and alerting randomly. And alerts not playing as expected.
Trouble is, my actual volume of messages is quite low so identifying exactly what is happening isn't so easy. But it feels like alerts are not sounding on macOS. And messages rarely alert or notify at all on my watch.
And I am fully up to date on all devices. And all connected to same network which is only used by two people! And that in two separate parts - one each.
I'm currently using Monterey on my main computer (2019 27" iMac). I tried Ventura on a separate partition, and didn't like how the text and colors looked, so I stuck with Monterey. I suppose the issue might be the contrast. Sonoma seems better, based on how it looks on my 16" AS MBP, but I haven't yet tried it on my iMac. Maybe MacOS 15 will be the charm (assuming it's supported on my iMac--I'll find out when they announce it at WWDC).
Since you're contrast-sensitive, do you run your Macs with Increase Contrast set to ON? I find that's a big help.
Another suggestion: I find external monitors are much easier on the eyes in MacOS after they're calibrated with my xRite i1 Display Pro colorimeter (text is easier to read, and colors look less washed out). Calibrating by eye using Apple's built-in software isn't good enough. This doesn't have as much effect on the laptop displays--they're already well-calibrated (and I recall reading my colorimeter may be too old for the LED-based XDR displays on the AS MBP's). But it's great for my iMac and two Dell displays.
Scottish wildcat?
Wonderful mix of cute and fierce.
Full picture is much better than screenshot of thumbnail!
Sporting leaders, racing waiters and lots of rescued cats – take the Thursday quiz
Fifteen questions on general knowledge and topical trivia, plus a few jokes, every Thursday. How will you fare?
Malabar (Ratufa Indica), multi-colour: serves multiple purposes.Scottish wildcat?
Wonderful mix of cute and fierce.
View attachment 2363704
Full picture is much better than screenshot of thumbnail!
Sporting leaders, racing waiters and lots of rescued cats – take the Thursday quiz
Fifteen questions on general knowledge and topical trivia, plus a few jokes, every Thursday. How will you fare?www.theguardian.com
;JOOP!
Attachments
I think most would disagree with you about Lion, since there was widespread discontentment with it as a follow-up to Snow Leopard, causing people to downgrade back to SL after trying it out.
I think many would also disagree with you about High Sierra since, like Snow Leopard, it was a 'perfomance' release (focusing on performance and bug fixes) rather than a feature-focused released.
I myself would put both Lion and Mojave in the BAD cateogry, since both reduced the ability of MacOS to look good with text on lower-res displays. SL was the last OS that rendered text well on low-DPI (≈100 ppi) displays. That was lost with Lion. Lion through High Sierra requred a mid-DPI display (27" 4k => 160 ppi). And High Sierra was the last OS with subpixel text rendering; Mojave forced consumers to upgrade again, to Retina external montiors (220 ppi), to get good-looking text.
To my mind, any OS that forces you to upgrade your display to maintain the same quality of viewing experience is firmly in the BAD category.
Fully agreed!!!
I still wonder why releases were named after parts of California that nobody knew
and probably do not want to visit ever. MacOS may be made in USA, it is a world product.
;JOOP!
I disagree. By that argument, champagne, being a "world product", should not be named after the region of France where its grapes are grown. Same with brie cheese, which is named after the province of Brie.
My view is the opposite of yours--precisely because it is a world product, there is value in choosing names that connect the product with where its produced. It reminds people of Apple's roots, and also helps their employees, most of whom live in California, connect with the company.
And the California connection has obvious marketing value, because it maintains the association between Apple and the ineffable mystique California has globally, both for cutting edge computer tech and sleek modernity in general.
I'm not saying they shouldn't change to somethign else. I'm sure that eventually they will. I'm just saying I think their CA naming system was fine.
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Few people would consider Lion and Catalina "awesome". Lion broke a ton of stuff that was only fixed in Mountain Lion. Similarly, Yosemite, Catalina, and Big Sur introduced wide-ranging changes that needed a release or two to become more reliable.
(And I don't know what people are talking about when they call Sonoma "bad", but sure.)
Increase contrast is too much for me. It sends modern Macs back into the age of all in one System 6 Macs. There's no way I want the interface on my $4000 colour mac to revert to black and white.
But yes, if I were to run Ventura, I would have to enable Increase Contrast.
BTW, great point about sub-pixel rendering in High Sierra. That's a reason to like High Sierra. I just happened to start running a MacPro 5,1 for SATA drive testing with DriveDX under High Sierra last week with a Radeon WX5100 in it. High Sierra is a better experience than I thought. Everything runs fine. Frankly as an OS, I prefer the experience to Monterey, though I couldn't run recent versions of DaVinci Resolve or DxO PhotoLab on it. It was so nice to start working in a computer uncrippled by all the recent Apple security theatre.
Sub-pixel rendering for non-retina monitors: there are tricks to turn some of advanced aliasing back on. I run an HP LP3065 at work After some tinkering with command-line I was able to get text to look good again on the HP LP3065 under Big Sur and then Monterey. Here's my settings with an excellent theoretical article above. Here's detailed discussion at MacRumors.
I use external non-Apple monitors calibrated with an xRite i1. Current calibration tool is back to BasiCColor as Calibrite is invasive/clumsy/slightly green and free DisplayCal doesn't run right since the security theatre was implemented. I've been calibrating my monitors for about twenty years (first calibration probe was from BasiCColor, bundled with the software).
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