It's time to say goodbye to iTunes. The software, which has been around for almost 20 years, was eliminated in Apple's latest macOS update.
The new macOS was first announced in spring 2019, but it didn't arrive until the fall. Now users are switching over.
What is Catalina and what changes does it bring with it? This guide has all your answers.
From the desert to the coast: macOS Mojave has given way to the next major version of the Mac operating system, called macOS Catalina.Revealed during Apple's 2019 WWDC keynote in June, Catalina. Yesterday, Apple released macOS Catalina to everyone and, unlike iOS 13's release, this is one you should upgrade right away.While Catalina isn't a major interface redesign, and much of the new.
What is Catalina for?
MacOS Catalina is officially version 10.15. It replaces Mojave.
Not every Mac device will be able to support Catalina. If you want to upgrade to the new OS, you'll need to have one of the following:
- 12' MacBook (2015 and later)
- MacBook Air (2012 and later)
- MacBook Pro (2012 and later)
- Mac mini (2012 and later)
- iMac (2012 and later)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- Mac Pro (2013 and later)
If your device is an older version, it won't support Catalina.
Trading 32-Bit for 64-Bit
Perhaps the most major change in macOS 10.15 is the switch from 32-bit apps to 64-bit apps. This has to do with how much RAM an app can use. Older apps may be 32 bits, and they won't run on Catalina. Open tif mac.
If you have an app you're not sure will work with the new update, you can check it out using one of several tools. Most up-to-date apps are 64 bit already.
Checking to see if an app is 32- or 64-bit is fairly easy. If you do have a 32-bit app you need, it's time to see if you can upgrade. If there's no 64-bit version available, it's time to look for another app.
What is Changing with Catalina?
The software developers working on macOS updates are always able to roll out some interesting new features. Catalina is no exception to the rule.
Catalina is a hefty update for the OS, and one of the reasons for that is its integration with iPad devices.
With the Catalina update, Mac users can now use their iPad as a second screen. Developers will also be happy to know their work on iOS13 and iPadOS will port over to macOS.
The feature is called 'Project Catalyst.' It represents a move to integrating mobile devices with desktop devices more thoroughly. It's unlikely iOS will merge with macOS, but the change does make syncing your devices easier.
Another sign of the times is that iTunes, the software that came with Apple's revolutionary iPod, is no more. The Catalina update discontinues this program.
Your music isn't going anywhere though. Catalina splits iTunes into three distinct apps:
- Apple Music
- Apple Podcasts
- Apple TV
Dividing the app makes sense. Each app can support a different streaming function better than iTunes ever could.
If you want to buy music, the iTunes store is still available. You can also choose to subscribe to Apple Music's streaming service instead.
The macOS Finder app will now handle syncing your mobile devices. This echoes Project Catalyst's move toward integration. Apple claims it will be easier to drag and drop with Finder, making transfers between devices much faster.
Other Updates
Safari, Mac's native browser, has also received an overhaul. Its new startup page uses Siri Suggestions to help you navigate.
Mail has some new features as well. Airstreamer 1 2 – play videos on your google chromecast. You can now block senders, mute threads, and send unsubscribe requests. Reminders has also been updated.
Catalina also boasts improvements to the Photos and Notes apps. The new Find My app combines Find My Friends and Find My iPhone into one app.
One app has made the leap from iOS to macOS 10.15 as well. iOS 12 featured 'Screen Time,' which tracks how much time you're spending on your devices.
As the app makes the leap to macOS, the information will sync across devices. This gives users a more complete picture of how much screen time they have each day.
A new 'one more minute' feature allows you to finish up a game or work if you've reached your screen time limits for the day. Is players choice video games legit.
Catalina also adds voice controls. Security also gets an upgrade with the Gatekeeper app. Siri's settings now let you opt out of sharing recordings with Apple.
New emojis, support for AirPods, and more round out the features of the update.
What is Catalina's Biggest Problem?
As with almost any software update, macOS updates usually roll out with a few bugs. Catalina has been no exception.
The macOS Catalina problems users have faced so far range from the run-of-the-mill to some more unusual ones.
Typical issues are the update failing to install properly or getting stuck during installation.
Issues unique to Catalina seem to be stemming from Sidecar, which allows it to use an iPad as a second screen. For some users, the Sidecar app isn't working at all.
The issue may be that your iPad's OS is outdated. Your Apple laptop or computer may also be too old. Although Catalina is supported by devices dating back to 2012, Sidecar is only compatible with devices newer than 2015.
Catalina's switch to 64-bit apps is also causing some issues. Older apps may no longer be supported. As we mentioned, your best bet is to update or find an alternate.
Other common issues include Internet connections, Bluetooth problems, and the dock disappearing.
Some issues may be caused by your Mac not being in tip-top condition. Check for apps that could be taking up extra storage or draining your battery life. It's a good idea to do some spring cleaning on the hard drive before upgrading to Catalina.
To Upgrade or Not
Now you know the answer to the question, 'What is Catalina?' You may be deciding whether or not you want to upgrade.
Apple has already sent macOS 10.15.2 to beta testing. You might want to wait just a little longer before updating.
Once you've upgraded, you'll want to keep your machine in great condition. Check out our library for tips on keeping your computer running as long as possible and so much more.
The release of a new version of macOS is always exciting and macOS Catalina is not an exception. However, no matter how excited you are, there's always a nagging question: what's the difference in Catalina compared to its predecessor? Is it really worth upgrading? Well, read on to find out.
MacOS Catalina vs macOS Mojave
The easiest way to compare macOS Catalina with macOS Mojave is to break the comparison down into several categories, like performance, features, user interface, and so on, so that's what we're going to do. By the time we're done you'll have a clear idea of whether Catalina is enough of a change for you to want to upgrade. Let's get started.
If, after you've read the article below, you decide to upgrade to macOS Catalina, you should clear out the junk on your Mac first. Installing a new OS on a Mac full of system junk is like building a house on shaky foundations, not a good idea! I don't often recommend software, but I make an exception in this case. My favorite way to get rid of junk is to use the System Junk tool in CleanMyMac X. It makes it easy to see what's taking up all my disk space, and it's easy to use, fast, and can free up tens of gigabytes of space. Download it for free and try it for yourself.
Productivity
Apple has said very little about performance improvements in macOS Catalina, which suggests it hasn't been a major focus. But it's likely there will be some gains when the final version ships in September.
However, in terms of productivity there are some big differences compared with macOS Mojave. You will be able to use and iPad as a second display, and as a graphics tablet with an Apple Pencil. When you use it as a second monitor, you will be able to either add extra screen space or mirror your Mac's display.
An overhaul of Reminders and improvements to Notes will make those apps much more useful. And minor enhancements to Safari and Mail should boost productivity. And the ability to share folders, rather than just files, in iCloud Drive is another improvement in this category.
Built-in apps
This is the big focus for the new version of macOS. iTunes is no more. So if you really love it, you'd best stick to Mojave. For the rest of us, the ancient media monolith gets replaced by three new apps: TV, Music, and Podcasts. All three work in much the same way as on iOS, and the TV app is designed to work with Apple's forthcoming TV+ subscription service.
Photos gets new machine-learning features to improve the way it curates and displays your photographs. It will highlight shots it thinks are important to you based on what it learns.
There's a new Find My app that replaces Find My iPhone, Find My Mac, and Find My Friends. And it will work even if the Mac you're trying to find is asleep and offline.
Accessibility
This is another big area for macOS Catalina and sees major improvements to Voice Control. You will be able to navigate and control your Mac using just your voice to select items, click on them, and drag them. Grids overlaid on the screen will allow you to tell your Mac exactly where you want to drag something from and to.
Print window mac. macOS Catalina will also allow you to zoom in one one screen while keeping another at 100% and to hover a section of text to display a larger high-resolution version.
Privacy and security
macOS Catalina brings a number of privacy improvements. Activation Lock means that only you will be able to erase and reactivate your Mac. And Catalina runs in its own read-only volume on your startup disk, so nothing can accidentally overwrite system files. Finally, in macOS Catalina, apps will need your permission before directly accessing files in your Desktop and Documents folders, as well as iCloud Drive and external disks. You'll also be asked before any app captures keyboard activity or a photo or video of your screen.
Health
Yet another focus for Apple in recent years has been reducing the amount of time we spend in front of screens and in Catalina, Screen Time comes to the Mac. You'll be able to set limits on how long you spend in front of a screen, and refine those limits for different types of activity. You'll also be able to use Family Sharing to set limits for other members of your family.
Other Apple devices
In Mojave, Apple introduced Marzipan, technology that made it easier to port iPad apps to the Mac. It used it for some of its own apps, like News. Now, with macOS Catalina, Apple has introduced Project Catalyst, a concerted effort to persuade developers to port iPad apps to the new OS.
As we mentioned above, in macOS Catalina you'll be able to use your iPad as a second screen or graphics tablet, as well as for Continuity Markup, a method of marking up PDFs on an iPad and transferring it to your Mac. As well as using an Apple Watch to unlock your Mac, you'll now be able to authenticate on your Mac for processes like unlocking a locked note, approve app installations, and view passwords in Safari preferences.
Can you upgrade?
If after reading about the benefits of Catalina over Mojave, you've decided you want to upgrade, the next step is to check that you can upgrade. Apple does a great job of making sure that new upgrades work on as many Macs as possible, going as far back as possible. But, inevitably, there are some Macs that work with Mojave that won't run Catalina. Here's the full list of those that are supported for macOS Catalina:
MacBook 2015 and later
MacBook Air 2012 and later
MacBook Pro 2012 and later
IMac 2012 and later Mac windows office compatible.
IMac Pro 2017 and later
Mac Pro 2013 and later
How to prepare your Mac for macOS Catalina
A fresh macOS requires a fresh Mac. It is recommended to install new macOS on a drive that's clean from junk. Outdated system files from the old operating system may interfere with the installation. It's like wiping away dust from all corners before you start to redesign your house.
You need to get rid of a few things:
— application and user caches
— old and broken applications
— extensions and launch agents
You can do it on your own, without any app or technician. But if I would pick an app to effectively clean your Mac, it would be CleanMyMac X by MacPaw. It's so easy and beautiful you'll almost get addicted to it. It deletes 9-15 GB of junk on average and is notarized by Apple. Download its free edition here.
After you've cleaned your Mac and prepared it for macOS Catalina, back your Mac using Time Machine.
MacOS Catalina promises to be a great upgrade. And when you compare it with Mojave, it's clear that there are lots of improvements and new features. Just remember to use CleanMyMac to clear out junk files before you upgrade.
Mac Os Before Catalina
These might also interest you:
What Is Catalina Mac Update
- macOS Catalina guide
- macOS Catalina compatibility
- How to use Screen Time on Mac
- How to use iPad as a second screen
- How to use 'Find My' app
- How to use Project Catalyst on Catalina
- How to create a bootable installer for macOS Catalina
- macOS Catalina can not be installed
- How to use Gatekeeper on Mac
- What happened to iTunes?
