macOS update methods

[Dave_O]

When Apple releases a major update like Catalina, there are 3 main options I'm aware of to update my Mac:

1. Use Disk Utility to eraae boot disk, install the new OS over the internet, and manually reinstall apps and data.
2. Use Disk Utility to eraae boot disk, install the new OS over the internet, and restore apps and data from a Time Machine backup.
3. Just apply the update over the internet in place.

Are there any reasons I would want to do the extra work involved in either 1 or 2?

 

[chrfr]

When Apple releases a major update like Catalina, there are 3 main options I'm aware of to update my Mac:

1. Use Disk Utility to eraae boot disk, install the new OS over the internet, and manually reinstall apps and data.
2. Use Disk Utility to eraae boot disk, install the new OS over the internet, and restore apps and data from a Time Machine backup.
3. Just apply the update over the internet in place.

Are there any reasons I would want to do the extra work involved in either 1 or 2?

Unless you're having specific problems, then no, there's no reason to do 1 or 2. You're always best off having a reliable backup regardless of which method you choose in case something goes wrong, of course.

 

[DeltaMac]

I will usually update with choice #4:
Download the full installer app. Use that to make a bootable installer on an external drive -- I have an external SSD, with bootable partitions for all macOS versions from Leopard (OS X 10.5.6) to current macOS 10.15.3. Boot to that Catalina installer, and install, choosing your internal boot drive as the destination for the install. That updates whatever system is currently on the boot drive, usually without any issues.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

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