Why You Need to Be Prepared Before Upgrading to macOS High Sierra

Are you planning to upgrade your Mac to the latest release of macOS High Sierra? If so, it's essential to take a few precautions to ensure a smooth and successful installation process. In this article, we'll outline the key points to consider before attempting the upgrade.

Point #12: Create Backups

Before making any changes to your system, it's crucial to create backups of your data. A Time Machine Backup is an excellent way to revert to a previous working macOS in case anything goes wrong during the upgrade process. We recommend having at least three backups using two methods and one off-site backup in case of theft, loss, or natural disasters.

Point #11: Have a Rescue Plan

It's essential to have a rescue plan in place in case something unexpected happens during the upgrade process. This could include modifying, altering, removing, or deleting elements of the operating system, requiring a reinstallation.

Point #10: Avoid Disk Cleaners and Optimizers

There are no known Windows-like viruses that can self-replicate and affect macOS due to its underlying UNIX foundation and permission limitations. Therefore, disk cleaners, optimizers, and uninstallers are unnecessary and may interfere with the normal operation of your system.

Point #9: Remove Anti-Virus Software

Developers recommend removing anti-virus software before attempting an upgrade. This will help ensure a smooth installation process and prevent any potential conflicts.

Point #8: Be Careful When Downloading Monterey

If you're downloading macOS High Sierra from behind a VPN, it may increase packet losses, leading to an incomplete or corrupted installer. We recommend using a direct connection to download the installer.

Point #7: Use Commercial VPNs Judiciously

Commercial VPNs should only be used if mandated by your corporate headquarters for remote work purposes. Using them unnecessarily can compromise your privacy and security.

Point #6: Optimize Your WiFi Connection

When upgrading, it's essential to have a quick, stable, and reliable internet connection. To ensure this, we recommend connecting your Mac via Ethernet cable and moving the computer as close to the access point/router as possible while disconnecting all other devices connected to WiFi.

Point #5: Empty Space Requirements

After the upgrade, it's suggested to keep at least 15% of your drive total capacity empty for good system operations and future updates. If you're upgrading from an earlier release, your Mac needs up to 44GB of available storage.

Point #4: Check Your Drive Type

If you're planning to upgrade from macOS Sierra or later, your Mac needs 26GB of available storage to upgrade successfully. Be sure to check your drive type before attempting the upgrade.

Point #3: Verify Your EFI Boot ROM

Reports indicate that the EFI BOOT ROM is required to flash the computer and ensure a successful Monterey installation. The EFI Boot ROM included in macOS High Sierra will verify for an original Apple drive and may fail to upgrade if it's not found.

Point #2: Check Your Computer Qualification

Before attempting the upgrade, make sure your computer qualifies for the Monterey release. Reports indicate that some older qualifying Apple computers have experienced failed installations due to non-Apple original internal drives.

By following these key points, you'll be well-prepared to ensure a smooth and successful upgrade to macOS High Sierra. Remember to create backups, have a rescue plan in place, avoid unnecessary software, and optimize your internet connection for the best possible experience.

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