Sonoma to Sequoia?

[Ambrosia7177]

Is Sequoia stable?

I am currently on Sonoma 14.7.6 and keep getting annoying messages to upgrade. (Plus it looks like there is an even newer version called "Tahoe"?)

I hate having to update my macOS for fear of breaking things or having to learn what seems like a foreign language.

Any advice?

 

[benwiggy]

Sequoia was released around September last year, and has had 5 point updates, with another currently in beta.

Very few things break between one year and the next -- and if they do, any app developer worth their salt should have fixed them this far into the annual cycle.

Problems with OS updates tend to be caused by not updating apps and the OS regularly. Then, when necessity forces an update, you've got 3-year-old apps and a brand new OS. Updates also patch security flaws which criminals can use to hijack your Mac and install malware.

Tahoe has only just been made available to developers, so they can test their apps on the new OS. It won't be released until the Autumn, as is traditional. Some users might install the beta between now and then, so that they can have tomorrow's problems, today.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Sequoia was released around September last year, and has had 5 point updates, with another currently in beta.

Very few things break between one year and the next -- and if they do, any app developer worth their salt should have fixed them this far into the annual cycle.

Problems with OS updates tend to be caused by not updating apps and the OS regularly. Then, when necessity forces an update, you've got 3-year-old apps and a brand new OS. Updates also patch security flaws which criminals can use to hijack your Mac and install malware.

Tahoe has only just been made available to developers, so they can test their apps on the new OS. It won't be released until the Autumn, as is traditional. Some users might install the beta between now and then, so that they can have tomorrow's problems, today.

All I do is spend precious time fighting BROKEN websites and applications. (Pride in software development went out the window 15 years ago.)

I just tried to buy some T-shirts online and have spent 30 minutes to do what should have taken 30 seconds because the idiots for this company don't know how to buid a checkout page.

So I am really leery of doing anything on my computer.

You make it sound like moving from Sonoma to Sequoia is a pretty safe bet?

 

[VitoBotta]

Upgrading is usually a safe bet. I can't understand why some folks are always so cautious about upgrading, even after the new release has been out for a year and there have been tons of fixes and improvements since then. A newer release is almost always going to be better for you, unless you have older hardware.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Upgrading is usually a safe bet. I can't understand why some folks are always so cautious about upgrading, even after the new release has been out for a year and there have been tons of fixes and improvements since then. A newer release is almost always going to be better for you, unless you have older hardware.

See my last post...

 

[benwiggy]

All I do is spend precious time fighting BROKEN websites and applications.

Can you give us some examples? It could be that the problem isn't necessarily the OS, but just some configuration issue. Computers are complex beasts, and no two are alike.

Make sure all your all applications are up-to-date and compatible with Sonoma/Sequoia.

You make it sound like moving from Sonoma to Sequoia is a pretty safe bet?

It's unlikely to change the number of problems you're having. 🤣

Usual troubleshooting steps are:

1. Check all third-party software that is set to launch on startup, or run in the background. Test by removing/quitting it.
2. Test a new User account. If things are better, then you'll know it's not the OS, but something in the original User account, like settings, third-party apps or something else in the user Library.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Can you give us some examples? It could be that the problem isn't necessarily the OS, but just some configuration issue. Computers are complex beasts, and no two are alike.

Not saying it is macOS. My point is that the quality of most things made in 2025 is in the toilet...

And since I have most things on my laptop working, I am leery of installing a new OS and then my apps won't work.

I estimated last month that I have donated around $2,000 of FREE analysis, research, tech support and QA to companies that I give my business to...

Make sure all your all applications are up-to-date and compatible with Sonoma/Sequoia.

Things seem to be okay on Sonoma, but upgrade often can break apps.

Then again, I have no choice but to update.

So I guess I was asking if Sequoia is a train=wreck or if it is an improvement over Sonoma.

It's unlikely to change the number of problems you're having. 🤣

Usual troubleshooting steps are:

1. Check all third-party software that is set to launch on startup, or run in the background. Test by removing/quitting it.
2. Test a new User account. If things are better, then you'll know it's not the OS, but something in the original User account, like settings, third-party apps or something else in the user Library.

 

[kschendel]

I can't say that Sequoia is an improvement, but my experience is that at least it's no worse. I didn't have any trouble with my upgrade.

 

[DeltaMac]

There is no "law" forcing you to upgrade your system, and, you can choose to ignore any updates.

 

[Ambrosia7177]

There is no "law" forcing you to upgrade your system, and, you can choose to ignore any updates.

Beyond the constant drumbeat from macOS on my laptop, I guess that is true.

However, things can go the other way too...

NOT upgrading macOS can cause problems because application updates might play nicer with the latest macOS versus something older like Sonoma.

Anyone have an extra Big Red Easy button I can borrow? ;-)

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Upgrading is usually a safe bet. I can't understand why some folks are always so cautious about upgrading, even after the new release has been out for a year and there have been tons of fixes and improvements since then. A newer release is almost always going to be better for you, unless you have older hardware.

I have had a pretty good run with macOS over the years. It is mor ethat so many applications I rely on SUCK! And once I finally get things working, I hate to disturb things, BUT you are correct that upgrading is often a good idea.

Not so worried about things that get updated regularly (e.g. Firefox), but am concerned about...

- My softphone (and VOIP in general)
- My outdated license for SnagIt
- My Dev environment
- DaVinci Resolve
- Audio software

 

[IGHOR]

Unstable macOS releases are now a rare thing

 

[OldMacs4Me]

FWIW I would stay as long as possible with Sonoma. The major change in Sequoia is Apple Intelligence, which you will probably want to disable but still be stuck with the associated bloat.

 

[nbnbxdnb]

I would look into the features to see whether they are somethings you are interested in.
I for one think the stability of macOS is also a feature worth cherishing at least.
That being said, if you are interested in Sequoia, now should be good time after a whole year of bug fixing...

 

[Ambrosia7177]

FWIW I would stay as long as possible with Sonoma. The major change in Sequoia is Apple Intelligence, which you will probably want to disable but still be stuck with the associated bloat.

Good reminder that resistance is futile with AI...

 

[haddy]

FWIW I would stay as long as possible with Sonoma. The major change in Sequoia is Apple Intelligence, which you will probably want to disable but still be stuck with the associated bloat.

And if you want to use TB5 hubs/docks on TB4 enabled Macs. But my question is once you upgrade can you go back if you don't like Sequoia? That is, downgrade?

 

[DeltaMac]

Yes, downgrade by erasing the boot drive.
Install Sonoma, then restore from your backup (from before you upgraded to Sequoia.)

Bottom line, the "downgrade" process is not quite as simple as many might like.

 

[haddy]

Yes, downgrade by erasing the boot drive.
Install Sonoma, then restore from your backup (from before you upgraded to Sequoia.)

Bottom line, the "downgrade" process is not quite as simple as many might like.

Thanks for that. I was worried if a firmware part of any upgrade would prevent the downgrade.