Big Sur is about to launch but Apple ’s still put out updates to macOS Catalina . In this article we ’ll be take care at the lastest update to macOS Catalina ( which has been available to download on Macs since Monday 7 October ) .
We ’ll canvas the various job you might have get with Catalina and will discuss when and if they have been fixed by Apple in an updated . We ’ll also talk through the new features that get with Catalina . show on for everything you require to know about macOS 10.15 , aka Catalina .
other adopter encountered various problems , from apps that no longer figure out , to problem booting , issues with iCloud , and turn a loss or dropped WiFi and Bluetooth connection . In addition some of those excited about being capable to use an iPad as a second screen thanks to the new Sidecar feature found they could n’t get it to ferment .
Luckily Apple has made various improvements to Catalina over the month that followed its initial release . But some problems have also been acquaint . For example , the 24 March update ( Catalina 10.15.4 ) add a few issues – specifically a germ in Catalina 10.15.4 that was causing Macs to crash following file transfers of 30 GB or more . you could read more about thatbelow .
macOS 10.16.7 which arrived in at the end of September 2020 touch on a art trouble with the unexampled iMac . There is more data about thelatest update to Catalinaand what that will bring to your Mac below .
However , even in the light of the above , the Catalina update add some excellent new lineament to the Mac that admit the ability to use the iPad as a second filmdom , the TV app , and the Music app ( which replace iTunes . ) Other apps getting a feel in this time round include Photos , Safari , Mail , Reminders , and ScreenTime . We have detail about all of these , and more unexampled features in Catalina , below .
We also have more item of thenew feature in Catalina in our round up of macOS tips here . You might wish to find out about the Modern adaptation ofmacOS 11 in ourBig Sur review – andhow Big Sur compares to Catalina .
Latest version of macOS Catalina
macOS Catalina has arrive but that does n’t mean that Apple is finished with this macOS update . The company is continuing to down and improve the software program and will be lend young feature film and fixing problems over the next few months .
We can win some mind of what to expect from the next update to Catalina by appear at the latest beta version of the software . If you are a registered developer or sign up to the public beta you’re able to download the most recent beta of Catalina now . Find out how to get a written matter of themacOS beta here .
macOS 10.15.7
The update is say to fixgraphics problemsbeing feel by owner of the 27 in iMac with the Radeon Pro 5700 XT art card .
It also resolves an issuing where macOS would not automatically plug into to Wi - Fi web and fixes an number that could prevent files synchronize through iCloud Drive .
macOS 10.15.6 Supplemental Update
In mid August Apple released a auxiliary update that should work a job where virtualization programs such as Parallels and VMware would crash .
According to VMware ’s forum , the crashes were due to a hemipteron in the App Sandbox , a component that restricts access to organization resource .
macOS 10.15.6
Malus pumila issue macOS Catalina 10.15.6 in mid July 2020 . It included various the security pinch and some change to improve the dependableness of your Mac , according to Apple .
This update made it possible to optimize telecasting cyclosis on HDR - compatible Mac notebook – this should improve stamp battery living , harmonize to Apple .
It also prepare an issue where the reckoner name may convert after install a computer software update and break up an issue where sure USB mice and trackpads may suffer connection – as discussed here : drug user report USB upshot with new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro .
However the update introduced problem withvirtualisation programs that can be used to hightail it Windows on a Mac .
macOS 10.15.5
The 10.15.5 macOS update brought new feature and some bug fix .
macOS 10.15.5 include a pickle to a problem where “ gravid data transfers to RAID loudness no longer get Finder to become unresponsive ” . This is theissue with macOS 10.15.4 outlined below – we have contingent of afix to the Finder crashing egress here .
Another of the new feature in 10.15.5 was a Battery Health Management characteristic that will prevent the battery from being shoot down to 100 percent for increase the lifespan of Li - ion batteries .
Users also advance an pick to command automatic extrusion of video roofing tile on Group FaceTime call up .
It appear that this translation ofmacOS also introduces a job for computer backup .
We have lots more entropy about the update here : macOS 10.15.5 Catalina meliorate bombardment health & muddle Finder hemipteran .
macOS 10.15.4 Supplemental Update
A supplemental uptate was put out on 8 April which included a FaceTime bug muddle and some MacBook Air 2020 improvement . alas it did n’t set all the issue with macOS 10.15.4 .
Apple ’s acquittance notes indicated the following changes :
macOS 10.15.4
macOS Catalina 10.15.4 was realsed on 24 March . Unfortunately there were someserious problems with macOS Catalina 10.15.4 as discussed here .
macOS 10.15.3
translation 10.15.3 come out in January 2020 . It was a relatively small update with bug fixes and some change for 16 in MacBook Pro users .
orchard apple tree highlighted two change in the update :
macOS 10.15.2
reading 10.15.2 arrived in December 2019 . The update included a fresh Apple News+ layout , improvements to the Stocks app , Music app microbe fixes , an iPhone can now remotely control the Music and boob tube apps on a Mac . There are also Photos and Mail hemipteran fixes .
There was also a alteration in the way that macOS handles HTTP Strict protections , which means that you should always see https:// rather than http://.
It also handle a security issue where it is potential to read the contents of encrypted emails because an accessible copy is stored in a file used by Siri . More on that issue below .
macOS 10.15.1
mac OS 10.15.1 was loose on 29 October . The update included more than 70 new emoji , sustenance for the newfangled AirPods Pro , HomeKit Secure Video and HomeKit router funding , and new Siri configurations that allow you to stop Apple using your Siri interaction to help oneself it improve Siri .
Based on the beta translation we were expecting the following :
New Emoji – 50 new emoji , including a way to alter the skin coloration of individuals in couple emojis .
photo – There should be some new filter options and a new Title / Metadata view .
Siri – as with the iOS update , you will be able to choose out of helping Siri improve ( by not beam recordings of your conversation ) .
There are also bug fixes , although it ’s not clear how many of the problems substance abuser have happen with Catalina have been fixed . For example , obviously there have been some issue with eGPUs and Catalina , we ’re not sure whether this update will go any way to fix that . The espouse issues are address by the update :
macOS 10.15 Supplemental Update
The 10.15.1 update was n’t the first Catalina update . On 15 October 2019 Apple turn asupplemental update to macOS 10.15 . Although this is n’t a point update , installing the supplemental update require a restart .
Apple ’s come with notes say that “ The macOS Catalina Supplemental Update include installation and reliability advance and is recommended for all users . ”
Apple indicates that the update should bring localisation for the following problems :
Should I install macOS Catalina?
Well , clearly there have been problems with Catalina ( we ’ll go in to more item about them below ) but Apple has already issued one Supplemental Update and another update is on the manner , so the fellowship is direct the issues quickly .
If you are keen to instal Catalina you might be wise to wait until it is clear that issues in the latest edition have been accost .
If you bank on apps that may not work out in Catalina do not set up the macOS – or front at a path of fly the coop it in bicycle-built-for-two with Mojave . We recommend installing Catalina on a separate volume , it ’s surprisingly easy . Read : How to double boot macOSfor more info .
Problems and bugs in Catalina
We ’ll log issuance here , please note that we expect Apple to fix the current issues and that other subject highlighted here will have been fixed in subsequent updates .
Finder gate-crash : A bug in MacOS Catalina 10.15.4 is causing the copying of large files to become remarkably slow and can even break up the Finder . More information about this way out here : MacOS Catalina bug causes Finder crashes .
slumber issue : Some Macs are experiencing kernel panics upon waking from sleep .
operose parkway : There are reports of international hard drives connected to a sleeping Mac begin spinning up and down for no reason .
post encryption consequence : Apple admitted that it was aware of an issue where unencrypted version of encrypted e-mail were being stored in a file cabinet get at by Siri to tailer suggestions . While this data file would only be accessible to someone who had access to your Mac , it ’s still concerning . The IT - specialist who discover the flaw , Bob Gendler , expose the issue back in July and title that Apple did n’t answer to him until 5 November . AppletoldThe Verge that it ’s cognisant of the matter and will address it . Apple also noted that only dowery of emails are put in . If you are concerned about the security ramification the suggestion is that you open up System Preference and tick on Siri > Siri Suggestions and Privacy > Mail and unselect “ ascertain From this App . ” In addition you could turn on File Vault , which will encrypt everything on your Mac . This issue was apparently present on Catalina , Mojave , High Sierra , and Sierra .
induction trouble : If you have problems during the update process we tender some advice here : How to fix a Mac stuck instal macOS . Apple has actually ready a couple of problem with the installation process in the 15 October Supplement Update mentioned above .
Sidecar supporting outcome : Some people are finding that the promised Sidecar features are n’t process . It should be possible to plug into an iPad to a Mac to use it as a 2nd screen , but some people are getting an error that “ Service Not Supported ” . It ’s potential that your Mac does n’t indorse the feature of speech or that the iPad is n’t supported , of has n’t been updated to iPadOS . Find out if your iPad and Mac are compatible with Sidecar here : How to use an iPad as a second screen for a Mac .
There is also the potential for other apps to stop working down the road as Apple has requested that all apps now have to be ‘ sign ’ to work on the Mac . Previously this only employ to apps sold on the Mac App Store , but now all apps will postulate approving from Apple before they can bleed . If you see an : ‘ [ App ] is not optimized for your Mac and needs to be updated ’ this is probably why . We have this article aboutthe apps that do n’t work in Catalina , and here’swhat to do about that ‘ Not Optimized for your Mac ’ monition .
DJ apps : disc jockey are complaining that their apps are n’t bring due to alteration to the way that Music syncs playlists with third - party apps . It appear that the Music app does n’t let third - party apps to sync playlists in the same way as iTunes did . This means that third - company apps are having to call the result . New versions of Serato ’s DJ Pro and DJ Lite have already arrived that reference this issue .
Multiple Apple ID requests : You may be confronted with multiple requests for your Apple ID . We saw the content a few time after set up Catalina and had to typecast in our detail on a few occasions . After a few goes we stopped seeing the message , but if you do n’t you could go to System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud . Then embark your Apple ID and password here .
Wi - Fi & Bluetooth issues : If your Mac is n’t connect to Wi - Fi or Bluetooth , ot the connection keeps drop out , try clicking on the Wi - Fi / Bluetooth icons in the menu bar to turn them off and on again .
iCloud military issue : Some people have account iCloud not being uncommitted after install Catalina . There are also reports that not all files have been downloaded from iCloud Drive . This is likely a bug that will be addressed shortly .
Peripherals not working : If your mouse , keyboard , printer or other contraption has stopped working that may be because the machine driver are 32 - spot . detect out if there is a driver update , and if not you will take to update the computer peripheral .
Incessant log - in / password requests : There have been complaints of having to update ID stage setting , enter iCloud countersign , concord to terms and conditions , which is hunky-dory once , but it seems that hoi polloi are see these request over and over . THe advice is to exit and in again , but of track lumber out of iCloud can disrupt various things stored in the cloud , which is a business organization .
Missing Mail : Some users have reported Mail data exit after establish Catalina . If you are lucky enough to have a Time Machine computer backup you may be capable to reinport your Mail backup from TIme Machine . Go to go to File > Import Mailboxes and locate the backed up mailbox .
Virtualisation problem : These were fixed in the Supplemental Update to macOS Catalina 10.15.6 .
New features in macOS Catalina
Despite the issues mention above , there is a draw of good in macOS Catalina , and many skillful reason to update . Here ’s what you may expect from Catalina .
Project Catalyst: iOS apps on the Mac
We ’ll start up off with perhaps the most exciting piece of tidings for Mac users ( and even more exciting for developers ) . Apple is making it easier for developers to port iOS apps to the Mac . This is good for developers as they wo n’t need to spend time and money writing code for two unlike apps . And it is good for Mac users because they will see an increment in apps available on the Mac program .
While iOS and macOS percentage vulgar foundations , it ’s not prosperous to port an iOS app to the Mac because the two user interfaces are somewhat dissimilar . “ Porting an app from one to the other take some work , ” say Craig Federighi back in 2018 .
Apple has found ways to take on specific behaviours , for example , drag and drop , so that they can be translate to the Mac . Back in 2018 Apple ported across some of its own apps from iOS to Mac – News , Home and fund – using the new method acting . In 2019 even more of Apple ’s iOS apps can be find on the Mac : Music , TV , and Podcasts to name a few .
By unifying the app development it is hoped that third - political party Mac apps will be updated more frequently . Currently , most exploitation funding goes to iOS apps .
A March 2019 Bloombergreportsuggested that the task would eventually allow developers to create one app that works across iPhone , iPad , and Mac gimmick , but that ability wo n’t arrive until 2021 . For now it ’s more focussed on iPad and Mac .
Apple ’s young SDK presently allows developer to port their iPad apps to Macs . There will still be two separate apps , but developers will only have to write the underlying code once .
Catalyst is free-base in Xcode . All the developer needs to do is moderate the Mac box alongside iPhone and iPad and Xcode will build in curser control and windows ascendence . This intend that one growth team can progress the one app for iPhone , iPad and Mac .
One developer who ’s already used Catalyst is Twitter , who is bringing the native Twitter app back to the Mac now that they only need one development squad for all devices .
So , what ’s this all stand for ? You wo n’t be able to lean iOS on your Mac , or macOS on your iPhone or iPad , but you should be capable to run most of the apps you expend on each gimmick – as long as the developer ports them over . The process of porting apps will be simplify , so developer will hopefully be willing to do so .
Project Sidecar: Use your iPad as a screen for your Mac
Catalina also brings Sidecar , Apple ’s name for a routine by which a iPad can be used as a 2nd display , or as a graphics lozenge . We ’ll look at the two use of the Sidecar engineering on an individual basis .
Use an iPad as a second screen
user will be able to use their ( compatible ) iPad alongside a ( compatible ) Mac as a second screen . It will be possible to plug the iPad into the Mac , or connect it wirelessly using Bluetooth and Continuity ( the grasp is 10 meters ) . It is also necessary to be log into the same iCloud bill – so you would have to be using your own iPad , you could n’t just apportion your Mac ’s screen to someone else ’s iPad ( we guess that ’s a security department measure ) .
iPads that work with Sidecar include :
mackintosh that do work with Sidecar include :
With the iPad connected to the Mac the user will be able to contribute a second concealment on which they can prolong their Mac ’s Desktop , or mirror their Mac ’s projection screen .
You ’ll be able-bodied to use the computer mouse to drag window over to the iPad display , for example . You ’ll also be able-bodied to use an Apple Pencil to charge and click and pull , for lesson when using Markup instrument . And it will be potential to take reward of the multi - touch gesture on the iPad and the new text editing motion for that twist .
This may be the closest we ’ll be getting to a touch screen Mac ( unless it convinces Apple that should be a affair . )
When associate to your Mac this way you will be capable to use any of your Mac apps on your iPad as if it was running macOS .
You wo n’t be able to divvy up the iPad covert on the Mac exhibit – this only work from within macOS so it ’s not going to allow you to practice Io on your Mac .
This might be spoilt news for the developers who make answer that currently activate the iPad to be used in this way , but it will sure invoke to Mac users who also own an iPad and require a second display that they can sway around .
It ’s also bad news program if your Mac does n’t support the feature . Disappointingly , it ’s earmark for post-2016 Macs , in some cases 2018 .
Use an iPad and Apple Pencil as a graphics tablet
Another use of the iPad in this style would be like to how a Mac user might practice a Wacom tablet .
Creative user will be able to expend their iPad as a graphics tab while using the apps listed below .
When an iPad is linked to a Mac using Sidecar it will gain a Sidebar , give access to controls and shortcuts . You ’ll also get a sorting of Touch Bar ( as image on the MacBook Pro ) along the bottom of the iPad screen .
Which iPads work with Sidecar
Sidecar will work with the trace iPads running iPadOS 13 :
Which apps work with Sidecar
Developers should n’t have to do anything to add Sidecar backing to their apps , it should just work , although they may want to build in some extra functionality to take vantage of the iPad touch screen and Apple Pencil .
Apps that require ripe stylus support can employ Tablet effect in AppKit to enable pressure and inclination for Apple Pencil . developer can also delineate custom behaviour for duple - tap on the side of Apple Pencil .
Apple announce that the follow apps already work with Sidecar :
New and updated Apps in Catalina
As we say above , Apple has finally got rid of the littered iTunes app and instead is offering three separate amusement focused apps that will be familiar from Io : Music , video and Podcasts . Other apps getting a significant update include Photos , Safari , Mail , Reminders , and ScreenTime .
TV
When Apple put a glare on its plans to start stream its own show later this class Apple also unwrap that the TV app will arrive on the Mac . antecedently it was potential to watch picture show buy or rented from the iTunes Store inside the iTunes app , but there is none of the functionality found in the television app , including the way it integrate with other streaming services .
Now , just like the tv set app on iOS , you will have access to everything you are watching on the TV app on any of your Apple equipment ( orother devices that have the TV app ) via Up Next so you will be able to carry on from where you left off .
There will also be recommendation in Watch Now based on your viewing habits and the opinions of Apple ’s team of editor . The TV app will also boast the Apple TV channels – so you wo n’t need to set up freestanding apps to look on your favourite show .
You ’ll still have access to the 100,000 iTunes flick and goggle box testify to buy or rive but drug user will also make headway approach to all the content from Apple TV+.Here ’s what show are come to Apple TV+ .
If you have a recent Mac it will be a great filmdom to see shows and movies on . Since 2018 new Macs have included support for 4 K HDR and Dolby Atmos playback . Apple says : “ 4 K , 4 K HDR , 4 K Dolby Vision , Dolby Atmos , and HDR10 content is useable on all Mac models introduced in 2018 or subsequently with 4K - firmness filmdom ”
Music
It was no surprise that Apple announced its design to break up the Mac interpretation of iTunes , its rather bloated media management and jukebox app .
Calls for iTunes to be overhaul have been on-going . in front of WWDC 2016 , rumours suggested that iTunes would get a ended redesign make it easier to use , but this never come about and three years by and by iTunes is in fearful need of an overhaul .
The good tidings is that because the Music app on the Mac will only focalize on music – rather than lots of other thing ( including synchronize , which will now be dealt with via the Finder ) – it wo n’t be as cluttered and complicated as iTunes is presently .
iTunes fans will still have memory access to their libraries ( which no doubt go back a few years ) and Apple Music indorser will be able to hear to anything in Apple ’s broad catalog .
The new aspect app has a unclouded design and is more colourful than iTunes presently – although who knows what it will look like when your legacy iTunes depository library is imported into the new app .
A few other raw Music boast we wish include :
say about thenew Mac Music app here .
Podcast
You may not be aware of this but there are apparently 700,000 shows in Apple ’s Podcast catalogue . When the new app launches it will have various fresh lineament to make finding these shows easy .
Users will also be able to look for special content , such as a finical show , topic , guest , or host . In fact , Apple say the Podcasts app will use car learnedness to index utter content of podcasts to heighten lookup .
Once you have find a show you like you may support and be notified as soon as new episodes become available , download episodes . You ’ll also be able-bodied to break up up from where you leave off on another equipment – you ’ll find the episode you were listing to via the Listen Now tab .
Find My
Previously Mac users had to log onto iCloud to habituate the Find My table service , to find an iPhone , lose Mac , or other Apple product . Not the Mac has its own notice My app . But there is more than a new app in Catalina . There are new features that make is possible to detect a gadget that is closed and offline , like many lose or slip MacBooks might be .
At WWDC , Apple explained how Find My can site Apple devices even if they are offline by using Bluetooth to charge signals which can be pick up by nearby gimmick . Its location can then be relayed back to you . This is all encrypted and anon. and because it just piggy backs on tiny fleck of data it wo n’t apply up assault and battery or impinge on your data allowance . It ’s basically a agency to crowd - source your gadget ’s location .
This is just one lineament aimed at making Mac ’s less attractive to thieves . Another new feature is Activation Lock ( which will only work if your Mac has the T2 crisp ) . Activation Lock will mean that a thief wo n’t even be able to bring up up your Mac – only you could activate your Mac with your password .
Find My also incorporates Find My Friend so you may apply it to find lost devices as well as settle your mates ( handy if one of them happens to have your Mac ) .
Screen Time & Parental Control
silver screen time has also come on the Mac , giving you an brainstorm into how much time you pass in apps and on the web on you Mac as well as your iPad and iPhone – you will be able to get report that calculate the metre spent on apps and websites across all your equipment .
You ’ll be able to use Screen Time to schedule sentence aside from the Mac too , or create Limits so that certain apps ca n’t be used outside of set periods . Combined Limits can be group of apps , such as games or entertainment .
In Catalina you may also do all your family ’s devices from Screen Time on your Mac , scheduling downtime , set app limits and choosing which websites can be accessed on the different . you may also control who your youngster can communicate with via their equipment by managing their contacts lean – and crucially , you may select that you may always reach them even during downtime .
Just before your time is up and a limitation is about to quetch in you will see a ‘ One more minute ’ word of advice , which will allow you save what you were working on or lumber out before being kicked out of the app .
Photos
In previous bone we felt that Photos could be a small cluttered , packed full of almost identical images in a tiny thumbnail formatting , it can be a number off putting . The fresh version of Photos will introduce a new manner to showcase pic and video by Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , calendar month and yr . Previews will be with child and photos will expend AI to spotlight photos from birthday , vacation and anniversaries .
You ’ll be able-bodied to graze your picture by Day , Month and Year as you may now , but the unexampled format will improve showcase images and TV , analysing images to show the best part of the image , you will also be able to soar upwards in to get a big trailer or choose whether to preview photos in substantial or original format . Video and Live photos will also autoplay .
We were worried that this could write the final stage of Memories , which is one of our favored features of Photos ( here’show to make with child Memory Movies on your iPhone ) but Memory Movies will get some unexampled functionality on the Mac , arrive at the ability to edit the duration , mood , and title of your flick or slideshow . These edits will synchronise to your other gimmick via iCloud Photos .
Safari
The newfangled version of Safari – which go far with Catalina , but is also available for Mojave and High Sierra , has a new start Sir Frederick Handley Page with Siri Suggestions base on frequently visit sites , bookmark , iCloud tabs , Reading List selections and link sent in Messages .
You will also originate to see weak password warnings and suggestions of better parole .
Another change : if you start to type the address of a web site that you already have exposed in another tablet , Safari will direct you to the already receptive chit . We ’re not sure how this will play out yet , as some people might want multiple page subject on a particular site .
in the end , you will be able to enable PiP ( Picture in Picture ) via the audio button on a Safari tab key .
There are a number of Modern features in Mail that will help you keep your inbox incur full up of mailing inclination and the like .
Other novel feature article include the power to dampen an too active thread and stop being send word every time someone replies .
There will also be an update to Mail ’s layout , with a prevue of the subject matter on the right .
Notes
note has some change that will make finding a particular line easier . You will see hunt suggestions , and Notes will gain a new Gallery View that is designed to make it easier to see the note you are look for . This view will show all your notes as visual thumbnail . We are n’t sure how this will form since most of our note are random shopping list , link to site , and , well , notes , but it might encourage us to use note for other thing .
For a few years now it ’s been possible to glance over things on an iPhone using Notes , in Catalina Notes will be able to use ocular character recognition to recognise the word and also recognize objects in range of a function . Which should also assist with search .
There are also improved collaboration options , including share folders . And you will be able to share thing as read only , so that they ca n’t be edit .
There will be a new checklist option that will move all your completed items to the bottom of the tilt , and an uncheck all option so that you’re able to use your list again ( such a unspoiled idea ! )
Reminders
The Reminders interface is getting an overhaul , simplifying the creation and trailing of reminders . You ’ll be able-bodied to unionise your upcoming reminders into categories like today , scheduled , and all , and it will be possible to customise reminders with 12 colour and 60 symbol .
Other new feature of speech will include a quick toolbar so it will be prosperous and flying to tot a deadline , you ’ll be able to add attachments such as a web site or a photograph to a reminder , tag people in a reminder – and get an alarm remind you next fourth dimension you are messaging them . You will also see Siri suggestion for reminders based on your messages . It will also be potential to aggroup a number of tasks under a top - level reminder .
QuickTime Player
We were worried QuickTime Player might not make it after Apple added video casting options to the Mac via Command + Shift + 5 in Mojave . Prior to Mojave QuickTime was the best way to record your screen . Now in Catalina QuickTime is getting a couple of new features .
The one that interest us the most : you ’ll be able-bodied to make an H.264 , HEVC , or ProRes - encode moving picture file by navigating to a pamphlet of sequentially number images , then take your desired resolution , physical body charge per unit , and encoding character .
Other fresh feature include PiP so that you’re able to spiel video recording in a windowpane that ’s not deflect by other window , and the Movie Inspector pane will tender more information about a telecasting .
Home
The Home app will work with HomeKit Secure Video so that you’re able to consider firmly recorded video notice by HomeKit - enable television camera on your Mac .
iPad Apps Coming to Mac
We ’ve already talked about Apple ’s Project Catalyst , which should see many iOS apps making their way to the Mac . So far the pursuit have been announced :
Other new features in Catalina
Apple also revealed a numeral of other improvement issue forth to the Mac in Catalina including new approachability features and security and privacy enhancements . More detail below .
Accessibility & Voice Control
New Voice control features will make it potential to hold a Mac entirely with your voice , which will be a benefit to those who ca n’t use traditional input devices to control their Mac ( the same voice ascendance option will be usable on iOS devices too ) .
spokesperson control uses Siri for speech realization and includes enhanced text editing selection that can be set to use your own usage countersign . Dictation is simplify , so , for example , you could say : “ supersede ‘ I ’m almost there ’ with ‘ I ’ve arrive ' ” , or you could say “ alter almost ” and you would see a list of suggest replacements , including emoji .
To make controlling the Mac with your voice simpleton , you ’ll be capable to navigate an app by referring to number label that appear next to clickable item , or by refer to peak on a grid that can help to nail picky locations on the blind .
Other new accessibility features include the ability to zoom in on text by hovering over it and pressing the Control key . It will also be possible to pick out from new color filter options that could make the sieve easy to read .
Apple ID
There will be some change to the way you’re able to access your apple news report via your Mac . You ’ll be able to get to your Apple ID info via System Preferences to reach access to business relationship details , surety details , payment and cargo ships information , and more .
You ’ll also be able to go over and update iCloud setting , manage or upgrade your computer memory programme , and view your subscriptions ( and those being share via Family Sharing ) .
In addition you ’ll see a list of all the gimmick that are signed into your account , including when they were last backed up and their Find My status .
Snapshots
In recent years observe a Time Machine back up has become less necessary part because a lot of our subject is now stack away in iCloud and also because thanks to the new Apple File System ( APFS ) that arrived in High Sierra the macOS takes a Snapshot of the file system on your Mac at certain intervals , which means that if you have just update the software on your Mac and found it was mismated , you ’ll be able to Restore From Snapshot and recover the machine back to the direction it was before the update .
Security
Apple has a number of security department measures build into macOS . One of these is Gatekeeper and in Catalina Gatekeeper will gain the ability to check apps for known surety issues when you establish them and periodically after .
Other new certificate features admit :
We ’ve already name notice My above and the T2 buffalo chip powered Activation Lock . These improvements will enhance security by making it impossible for a stealer to access your data .
To bump out how to keep your Mac from security measures vulnerabilities read : How to intercept your iPhone , iPad or Mac suffer hackedand ourMac security tips .
Compatibility
For a few year now Apple has been warning that support for 32 - bit apps on the Mac would be ending . Mojave was the last macOS release to support 32 - bit apps . Only applications that are 64 - bit will run in the next version of macOS . Find outwhich apps wo n’t work in Catalina here .
This should n’t be a huge upshot . developer have been updating their apps follow Apple ’s warning and new apps submitted to the Mac App Store have been required to support 64 - bit since January 2018 , and Mac app updates and existing apps have all been demand to affirm 64 - bit since June 2018 . ” However , people are still likely to be using older versions of apps . If you are then it might be time to take the dip and update to a new version of your apps .
The last time there was this much upthrust in terms of non - compatible apps was when Apple stop ship Rosetta in Mac OS X 10.7 Lion . Rosetta was Apple ’s tool for translate apps to scat on an Intel central processor . When Apple ab initio moved to Intel , Rosetta served to render legacy apps , but following the release of Lion those old apps were no longer supported .
Here ’s how to contain your Mac to determine out if you are using any 32 - chip applications :
Here are some of the non-64 - bit applications that may be a crusade for concern :
Adobe
Update to the latest variant here .
Microsoft
Support for Office 2011 for Mac ended on 10 October 2017 . Even if you are running Office 2016 for Mac you should update to version 15.35 or later . Update to the latest reading of Microsoft Office here .
Apple
There are also some Apple apps that no longer work . Apple used to wad a number of apps with Final Cut Studio and Logic Studio , both of which are now discontinued and replaced by Final Cut Pro X and Logic Pro X in 2011 . If you are still using these older suites mark that none of these bundled apps , which included DVD Studio Pro , Soundtrack Pro , Colour , Cinema Tools , and more , will turn .
If you had updated to Final Cut Pro X and Logic Pro X you are n’t necessarily out of the water . Only the espouse adaptation will be compatible , so if you are running an older version than the ones listed below you will need to update . you’re able to update to the late versions on the Mac App Store , links below .
System requirements for macOS 10.15 Catalina
Catalina is support on the undermentioned Macs :
Mojave corroborate mid-2010 or mid-2012 Mac Pro models with certain metallic element - capable graphics C.P.U. , unfortunately , Catalina does n’t .
Metal was the key here – Macs that did n’t have Metal keep were knock off after High Sierra . It is possible that eGPU financial backing could pass the lives of honest-to-god Macs though . It is potential toinstall Catalina on an older Mac though …
