When should you not update the OS? M1MAX

[ChpStcks]

I have a 14" M1MAX and haven't updated the OS since I got it last year, still on 12.0.1 and it works like a charm. Never had any real big issues with it besides some shortcuts not working for some odd reason only on this device.

Anywho, there are some new features in the later updates (SharePlay on Facetime) that I'd love to utilized but then I come across articles like this which list a slew of issues that I'd prefer not to deal with...

10 Common macOS Monterey Problems & How to Fix Them

Mac users are complaining about a variety of bugs and performance issues as we push away from Apple’s latest macOS Monterey update, The company’s latest macOS Monterey upgrade, macOS Monterey 12.6.3, went through testing, but problems have unsurprisingly slipped into the final release. The...

www.gottabemobile.com

and also Apples ability to make their devices seem a little sluggish after each update (e.g. iphone updates)

So besides sacrificing some new features is there any harm to never updating the OS?


EDIT: also I see that there are ways to downgrade back to previous OS

How to Downgrade from macOS Catalina to Mojave

You can downgrade from macOS Catalina to Mojave if you run into problems or you simply don’t like the new version of macOS. This takes some prep, it takes a little time and you need to change up how you downgrade compared to older versions of macOS. You’ll want a Time Machine Backup or a similar […]

www.gottabemobile.com

But is there a way to downgrade to previous version of the same OS i.e. Monterey 12.3.1 to Monterey 12.0.1?

 

[DarthVader!]

My belief if to keep the OS up to date. Apple not only adds features and fixes bugs but also addressing vulnerabilities.
Apple rushes out patches for two 0-days threatening iOS and macOS users

 

[SirAnthonyHopkins]

I've honestly never had any major issues caused by updating macOS. Obviously there are some changes which subjectively I dislike, but usually get used to eventually.

Of course things can go wrong, but it's a tiny minority of users for whom they do, but then obviously those users make their issues known, and it's not great for them and in an ideal world Apple would never release buggy software. But we don't really live in that world and issues are always going occur. I always update as soon as one is available for security reasons. And, hey, I guess if something does go wrong, I don't mind being the guinea pig who can report any issues.

If you're really worried about an update, hold off a week or two and read up on what people are experiencing. But imo, there's far more to be lost from a security perspective by not updating for months than there is to be gained by avoiding potential bugs in the software.

 

[TechRunner]

I typically update a month or two before the next version is due out, to give Apple time to sort most, if not all, of the issues in the current version. The best option is to do what you feel most comfortable with, as long as you're confident you're not putting your data at risk.

 

[padams35]

Sometimes.
If you can its a good idea to wait a few days before installing point release updates to see if any major bug reports start appearing in mass. For example, one of the Mojave security updates broke 2018 mac mini eGPU support, and more recently on of the Monterey point release broke support for running multiple external monitors (now fixed in latest point release).

However for point release updates you need a specific-to-your-setup reason not to update. A vague list of generic troubleshooting that could be applied to -any- point release in a major version shouldn't stop you, and you really shouldn't still be running .0.1 this late into the cycle.

You can usually 'downgrade' back to a prior point release by restoring from a backup of that prior point release. Good if your workflow immediately breaks, useless otherwise.

 

[ChpStcks]

I typically update a month or two before the next version is due out, to give Apple time to sort most, if not all, of the issues in the current version. The best option is to do what you feel most comfortable with, as long as you're confident you're not putting your data at risk.

I like this, how often do new versions come out?

 

[thomas_peters666]

you should only update the operating system(s) you'd like to keep secure.

 

[VineRider]

I always stay up to date. Security vulnerabilities are fixed and I want to keep my devices as secure as possible.

 

[jav6454]

As other have pointed out, ALWAYS update your computer's OS (regardless of Mac or PC). Bug fixes are not the only thing included in OS updates, security patches are as well.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

I usually wait before I upgrade to the latest OS, like 3-4 month, but once I am on the latest I keep my devices mostly up-to-date. Then on the latest OS I just wait a couple of days to be sure there are no major issues and they do not pull it.

 

[TSE]

You should never upgrade your OS. Never, ever connect to Wifi or outside internet source on your MacBook Pro. Instead, if you want to look at a website or interact with things ON the internet, I recommend you upload them from another computer onto a flash drive, and then download them on your MacBook Pro and interact with them that way. I would also consider downgrading to Mac OS 9 as well.

Don't let the man win.