How often do you update your OS?

[digitalField]

Still running 12.1 and noticed the current version is 12.3.1 - got all excited for a couple major point rev's but the release notes felt anemic...new emojis, beta universal controls stuff and a couple other things I hardly remember now...

I use to be really excited for OS updates but now... but now it has me pausing and wondering how often do you guys update?

 

[chabig]

Don't update for the emojis. Update for the bug and security fixes.

 

[posguy99]

There are remote vulns between 12.1 and 12.3.1, so it's up to you whether you install the updates, but maybe you should actually read the security announcements.

 

[fisherking]

i would have checked 'every 6 minutes' but that option isn't in the list... 🤣

 

[frou]

I wait like 6 months to move to a new major version (Big Sur, Monterey, ...). But for whatever major version I'm presently running, usually install its point releases within a few days.

 

[darngooddesign]

I can't remember the last time there was an update bug that affected me so I update whenever there is an update.

 

[yukari]

Any time there is a security fix, you should update.
As for me, whenever there is update, I will see if all my essential programs are still running before updating.

 

[TechRunner]

I usually update just before the next version rolls out, to give Apple the maximum amount of time possible to kill bugs in the current version.

 

[thomasjpr]

Usually within a day or two, especially if serious security vulnerabilities are patched.

 

[iSuzan]

I eagerly awaited Universal Control so I updated to 12.3 (and now 12.3.1) as soon as it was available.

Since then using Universal Control every day and loving it.

 

[rovostrov]

If it's security updates for the OS I'm currently running, I usually wait a few days to see if there are any red flags from others that have updated. If it's an upgrade to a new OS, I stay 1 year behind the current one

 

[bogdanw]

Given the abysmal security holes that Apple delivers nowadays, you should update as soon as an update is released.
Given the poor quality of Apple’s new OS versions nowadays, it’s wise to wait to upgrade at least until the _.4 release.

Actively exploited vulnerabilities in 2022...so far.
March 31, 2022 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213220
February 10, 2022 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213091
January 26, 2022 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213054
For more, search for Apple https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog

 

[Traverse]

For normal point releases of the current OS I usually update the same day or the next day - but I usually wait a few hours just in case there are any rare issues. I rarely want to install an update in the middle of the day, so it works out well to do so in the evening.

For major OS updates (Big Sur -> Monterey for example) I usually wait until at least the X.1 if not X.2 release. Not as much for bugs (although Bluetooth always seems to be an issue in early OS builds) but mores because my Mac has so many utilities on it that it's more about giving developers time to catch up rather than the OS itself.

I rely the following 3rd party system utilities that I really want to make sure are fully compatible.

• Better Touch Tool
• Backblaze
• Carbon Copy Cloner
• Hazel
• Plex
• Moom

 

[digitalField]

There are remote vulns between 12.1 and 12.3.1, so it's up to you whether you install the updates, but maybe you should actually read the security announcements.

Sorry guy, not interested in the opinion of a condescending stranger on the internet.

Given the abysmal security holes that Apple delivers nowadays, you should update as soon as an update is released.
Given the poor quality of Apple’s new OS versions nowadays, it’s wise to wait to upgrade at least until the _.4 release.

Actively exploited vulnerabilities in 2022...so far.
March 31, 2022 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213220
February 10, 2022 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213091
January 26, 2022 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213054
For more, search for Apple https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog

Well stated and appreciate the links. An "update" balancing act between the abysmal security holes and the poor quality os. Ive leaned a bit heavy on avoiding updates due to the quality issue but seems i'll need to account for security holes a bit more.

 

[bogdanw]

Just published: ZDNet - "Why quickly patching your iPhones and Macs is more important than ever" https://www.zdnet.com/article/why-q...iphones-and-macs-is-more-important-than-ever/

 

[960design]

Currently running 15.5
- Option 0: sooner than available

 

[Fishrrman]

I updated the OS on my new 2021 MBP 14" when releases became available from Apple.

But...
My 2018 Mini is still running the OS it came with (Mojave). I bought it to be "a legacy computer" that would continue to run 32 bit software as long as I found that software useful.
I have no plans to "update it" further...

 

[RfkGaming]

As soon as a update is available, I like beta testing things.

 

[StudioMacs]

I usually install a completely new version around the time Apple is showing off the next version at WWDC. By then most of the bugs have been worked out.

For incremental point updates, I usually wait a week or so to make sure others don’t report any issues that could affect the software I use or any peripherals I need.

 

[JimmyG]

>snip<

But...
My 2018 Mini is still running the OS it came with (Mojave). I bought it to be "a legacy computer" that would continue to run 32 bit software as long as I found that software useful.
I have no plans to "update it" further...

I keep my 2019 iMac at Mojave for the same reason, it will never see a newer OS.

As for my 16" M1 Max MBP, I recently updated from 12.2.1 to 12.3.1 to see if it would resolve the notorious "iCloud Drive needs to finish updating before being turned off." issue that seems to popup with various OS incarnations (it did resolve).

As for further OS updates, I've generally brought my previous machines up to a certain "satisfaction level" and then ignore any further OS packages, my interest in, um, "new" UI features is minimal and I keep up, mainly, with security patches...this will eventually be the case with the MBP.

Being an "Old Dog" here who still runs Snow Leopard on a 2010 and 2011 iMac for many tasks it's disappointing to see how Mr. Job's OSX-nee-MacOS has turned into such bloatware over the past decade, my 2019 i9 iMac is, in fact, slower at certain tasks than those older machines because of all that behind-the-scenes continually-running processes load! Ha! Methinks there would be a major purging of OS programmers and a slimmer and more efficient OS today of he were still at the helm.

Vote: "depends on specific needs"

 

[fisherking]

I keep my 2019 iMac at Mojave for the same reason, it will never see a newer OS.

As for my 16" M1 Max MBP, I recently updated from 12.2.1 to 12.3.1 to see if it would resolve the notorious "iCloud Drive needs to finish updating before being turned off." issue that seems to popup with various OS incarnations (it did resolve).

As for further OS updates, I've generally brought my previous machines up to a certain "satisfaction level" and then ignore any further OS packages, my interest in, um, "new" UI features is minimal and I keep up, mainly, with security patches...this will eventually be the case with the MBP.

Being an "Old Dog" here who still runs Snow Leopard on a 2010 and 2011 iMac for many tasks it's disappointing to see how Mr. Job's OSX-nee-MacOS has turned into such bloatware over the past decade, my 2019 i9 iMac is, in fact, slower at certain tasks than those older machines because of all that behind-the-scenes continually-running processes load! Ha! Methinks there would be a major purging of OS programmers and a slimmer and more efficient OS today of he were still at the helm.

Vote: "depends on specific needs"

i always try to understand these posts (and don't get it). what tasks, for example, do you need to run on snow leopard? and are there no 'modern' alternatives?

whatever we think of the 'bloatware' (and i agree, it's there), one can still generally choose to use new features... or not. but why anyone would run an OS from 2009 in 2022 is a mystery (to me). so... what apps do you depend on that need that OS?

 

[bogdanw]

Running OS X Leopard on a PowerPC G5 Mac it’s probably safer than running the latest Monterey.
Nobody writes malware for PowerPC now
(It’s a joke, have a nice weekend!)

 

[canadian lamp]

Security updates....yes, Take care of that.

Keep in mind that Apple supports 3 operating systems at any given time. so you can get your security updates with either of those.

New features should be treated entirely differently. think about the new features before you change your OS. Do you really need it? I rarely find a new feature changing my workflow in 2022. there is always a risk of something that is important to you all of a sudden not working. The famous expression " one in the hand is worth two in the bush" applies.

also early adoption means a higher risk of bugs. You have to decide what is more important to you. The latest stuff? or a workflow stability risk.

 

[MikeDr206]

What I’ve learned in previously staying 2-3 versions back, and then making an upgrade, as opposed to what I do know which is to wait 2-3 months when a new version drops and then a week or two with every other update, is that the former approach gave me big hassles in updating software and getting everything to work as I expected, where now it’s just a little hassle each time.

 

[HDFan]

Depends. Wait some days after a new release to see what issues are reported on MacRumors. In the case of Catalina the problems that were significant to me lasted so long that I skipped the release entirely. With Monterey waited until 12.3 when everything seemed to be stable.