OS X 10.9 Mavericks Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Article ID = 100
Article Title = OS X 10.9 Mavericks Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 11th June 2013
Article Last Updated = 21st June 2016
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?100

Article Brief Description:
Frequently Asked Questions about OS X 10.9 Mavericks

OS X 10.9 Mavericks Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What's with the name?

A. Apple ran out of cats and "Sea Lion" didn't seem quite right so for the next versions of OS X they have decided to use locations in the area of California (where Apple is based) that have inspired them. It's not a Top Gun reference, it's a real place!

Q. When was Mavericks released?

A. Mavericks was released on the 22nd October 2013. It is no longer available. It was replaced by OS X 10.10 Yosemite.

Q. How much did Mavericks cost?

A. It was free.

Q. In our family/household/business the different Macs have different iTunes / App Store accounts on them. Do I have to buy Mavericks multiple times?

A. No. You can have more than one iTunes / App Store authorisation on a single machine. Use one of the iTunes / App Store accounts to authorise each computer in the family/household/business in turn to download and install Mavericks (in the App Store application click on the "Purchases" tab).
NOTE: Mac App Store authorisations (for consumers) are different to iTunes authorisations. As Mavericks is free businesses do not need to worry about licensing. Mac App Store authorisations are unlimited whereas the iTunes authorisation limit is 10.

Q. How do I install Mavericks on multiple computers?

A. Option 1: Download Mavericks individually on each computer at ~5.3GB in size each time.
A. Option 2: Download the Mavericks installer on one computer (at ~5.3GB in size), quit the installer and copy the installer to each computer's Applications folder that you want to install Mavericks on.
A. Option 3: Download the Mavericks installer on one computer (at ~5.3GB in size) and obtain the OS X Install Disc Image to use on each computer that you want to install Mavericks on.

Q. I don't have the Mavericks installer. Where do I get it?

A. You must have purchased/downloaded it using your Apple ID previously or your computer must have originally come with it to obtain it otherwise you are most likely out of luck, sorry.

If you previously purchased/downloaded it using your Apple ID go to Apple menu > App Store > Purchased and download it - if it does not appear in the list make sure it is not hidden by unhiding it.
If your make originally came with it you can reinstall it by using Internet Recovery mode.
If you never purchased/downloaded it using your Apple ID previously or your computer did not originally come with it you might, in exceptional circumstances, be able to obtain a redemption code for it from the Apple Online store.

Q. Which Macs can I install Mavericks on?

A. The following Macs are compatible with Mavericks (it's actually the same computers that were compatible with Mountain Lion - Intel Core 2 Duo, i3, i5, i7 or Xeon processor, a minimum of 2GB of RAM, 8GB of available disk space and modern graphics capability):

iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
MacBook Pro 13" (Mid 2009 or newer)
MacBook Pro 15" (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
MacBook Pro 17" (Late 2007 or newer)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
Xserve (Early 2009)

NOTE: You will also need at least Mac OS X 10.6.7 and an Apple ID to be able to purchase Mavericks on the Mac App Store.

Q. How can I check what specifications my computer has or what model it is/graphics capability it has?

A. You can check "Processor", "Memory" and Mac OS X "Version" by going to Apple menu > About This Mac.
A. To check what "model" you have the model number is usually printed on the outside of the computer somewhere.
A. To be more specific and exact you can check what "Identifier" your Mac has by:

If you are running Mac OS X 10.4.x/10.5.x/10.6.x go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "More Info…" button > (the System Profiler application will open) select "Hardware" on the left and check what it says for 'Model Identifier' on the right. Then under Hardware on the left select "Graphics/Displays" and check what it says for 'Video Card' on the right (you may have two cards listed, one for integrated graphics and one for discrete graphics).
If you are running OS X 10.7.x/10.8.x go to Apple menu > About This Mac > click the "More Info…" button > (the System Information application will open) click "Overview" in the top left (this will now show the 'Graphics' capability) then click the "System Report" button > select "Hardware" on the left and check what it says for 'Model Identifier' on the right.

Q. My Mac has the correct type of processor but I don't have enough RAM. What can I do?

A. All the supported Macs can run at least 2GB of RAM so all you need to do is upgrade your RAM to at least 2GB. In the UK we recommend Kingston Technology lifetime warranty memory for your Mac. Most Macs usually only have two memory slots so it is best to upgrade to as much RAM as you can afford the first time. If your Mac supports 8GB or more (like some MacBook Pros / minis do) then upgrade to the maximum.

Q. I'm still using a compatible Mac with Mac OS X 10.4.x/10.5.x on it. Can I still buy and install Mavericks?

A. Yes but you will need to buy/upgrade to/install Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard first (£14) and then buy/install OS X 10.9 Mavericks on the Mac App Store.

Q. I have a compatible Mac and I am running Mac OS X 10.6.8/10.7.x/10.8.x so how do I obtain Mavericks on the Mac App Store?

A. See this article.

Q. I have Mac OS X 10.6.8/10.7.x/10.8.x but my internet connection is slow. Will this be a problem?

A. No, but be warned, the Mavericks installer is ~5.3GB in size so it may take some time to download.

Q. I have Mac OS X 10.6.8/10.7.x/10.8.x but I don't have a permanent connection to the internet. Will this be a problem?

A. Yes. The Mac App Store purchase of Mavericks will require an internet connection. See the options listed in answer to the next question.

Q. I have Mac OS X 10.6.8/10.7.x/10.8.x but I have an internet access data cap in place / I cannot download something that is ~5.3GB in size. What can I do?

A. Mavericks will not be available on optical disc or a USB thumb drive so your options are:

Use a different internet connection to yours that does not have an internet access data cap in place.
Go to an Apple Retail Store where you can install Mavericks from their local server.

Q. If there is no physical Mavericks disc/USB thumb drive and I install Mavericks but run into trouble what can I do?

A. If you purchased Mavericks from the Mac App Store:

When Mavericks is installed it creates a special bootable emergency "recovery" area on your hard disk. You can Use the OS X "Recovery HD" to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mavericks (internet connection required).
If you have created an emergency external USB recovery drive using Apple's Recovery Disk Assistant you can use it to boot your computer from and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mavericks (internet connection required).
If you have a Time Machine backup disk it may have an OS X "Recovery HD" partition on it which you can use to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mavericks (internet connection required).
If you have obtained the OS X Disc Image you can use it to create an Install DVD then boot your computer from it and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mavericks.
If you have created an External Installation Device you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mavericks.
If you have created an Emergency Boot Drive for OS X you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk.

A. If your Mac came with OS X 10.9 Mavericks:

Your Mac has a special bootable emergency "recovery" area on your hard disk. You can Use the OS X "Recovery HD" to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mavericks (internet connection required).
If you have created an emergency external USB recovery drive using Apple's Recovery Disk Assistant you can use it to boot your computer from and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mavericks (internet connection required).
If you have a Time Machine backup disk it may have an OS X "Recovery HD" partition on it which you can use to repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mavericks (internet connection required).
If your hard disk has died (or you have upgraded it) you can use your computer's "Internet Recovery Mode" to reinstall Mavericks (internet connection required).
If you have created an External Installation Device you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk and/or reinstall Mavericks.
If you have created an Emergency Boot Drive for OS X you can use it to boot your computer and repair your hard disk.

Q. What new features does Mavericks have?

A. See Apple's OS X Mavericks what's new list. MacStrategy's recommended features to note are:

New Software/Applications

iBooks - compatible with iBooks on iOS devices
Maps - plan a trip and easily send it to your iOS device (requires iOS 7)

(File) Tags

Integrated into Spotlight + the Finder sidebar
Tag files whenever and wherever on your computer
Tag files in iCloud and on compatible servers

Improved Finder

Tabs in Finder windows
Tags in the Finder sidebar
iCloud Folder - direct access to documents stored in iCloud

Better multiple display support

Access the menus and the Dock from any screen
Airplay = true additional screen (not just mirroring)

Better battery performance - due to under the hood changes in the OS

App Nap - applications can be put into hibernation mode when they are not in use (available only in apps where the developer has switched this facility on)
Activity Monitor - now includes an energy tab that shows the energy impact of applications
Battery menu item - now shows applications using significant power so you can quit them if you're not using them

More social network integration

Automatic Mac App Store app updates
Keychain in the cloud - including password generator
Better Notifications - including direct interaction (type directly in the notification window)
Offline Dictation - requires an additional ~1GB download
Open GL version 4.1
Accelerated Scrolling - "super smooth" if you believe the WWDC keynote
Do Not Disturb - works in a similar way to iOS
Visible Library folder - Library folder can be made visible via View Options (cmd-j) in the Finder
SMB2 networking - superfast, increases security and improves Windows compatibility

Q. Mavericks appears to rely on iCloud a lot. Do I have to have an iCloud account (Apple ID) to install/use Mavericks?

A. You will need an Apple ID to use the Mac App Store to purchase Mavericks in the first place but once it is installed you may not need to use iCloud. An Apple ID can be your iTunes account if you have one.
New iCloud features in Mavericks include:

Some types of Notifications
Keychain in the Cloud†

Older iCloud features include:

Mail†
Contacts†
Calendars & Reminders†
Notes†
Safari (bookmarks)†
Photo Stream
(cloud based) Documents & Data
Back To My Mac
Find My Mac

† - If you want to store this information in the cloud, synchronise it across multiple devices you must have an iCloud account. Should you want to synchronise this information to an iPhone/iPad/iPod touch via USB/tethered you must upgrade to OS X 10.9.3 and iTunes 11.2.1 or later.

Q. I've heard Mavericks includes something called Gatekeeper. Will this stop me installing and using older software?

A. No. You can configure Gatekeeper in one of three different ways:

Mac App Store = only software downloaded and installed from the Mac App Store will run (highest security)
Mac App Store and identified developers = only software downloaded and installed from the Mac App Store or that have been digitally signed by an authorised developer will run (medium security - default)
Anywhere = no security and will let you install any software

Q. Does Mavericks have Rosetta? Does it run PowerPC applications/software?

A. Just like OS X 10.7 Lion and later, Mavericks does not have Rosetta.

Q. I've heard Mavericks no longer includes X11. Is this true?

A. Yes. X11 on Mavericks now uses install on demand. When you first launch an app that requires X11 libraries, you are directed to a download location for the most up-to-date version of X11 for Mac e.g. XQuartz.

Q. I've heard Mavericks no longer includes Web Sharing. Is this true?

A. Sort of. Apple have removed the easy configuration of this feature (from System Preferences > Sharing) but the underlying software needed (Apache) is still included in macOS. You can either purchase Apple's own OS X Server (£14.99), install/purchase third party products e.g. MAMP, or get jiggy with Terminal commands for free.

Q. Does Mountain Lion include Xgrid Sharing?

A. No. Just like OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and later it has been removed.

Q. I've heard Mavericks does not include Java. Is this true?

A. Yes, Java is an optional install. See our article about Java for download links to obtain the latest Java software.

Q. Can the automatic updates for Mac App Store be switched off?

A. Yes, this can be toggled on/off in System Preferences > App Store (renamed from Software Update) > UNTICK "Install app updates".

Q. I use AppleScripts and Automator. Is there anything I should be aware of in Mavericks?

A. Yes! See this Mac OS Automation article.

Q. If I install OS X 10.9 Mavericks and don't like it can I easily downgrade back to 10.8/10.7/10.6?

A. Unfortunately, depending on your Mac model it may not be very easy. We're working on an article about that - check back soon.

Q. What should I do to prepare for Mavericks?

A. See this article.

Article Keywords: OS X OSX 109 Mavericks Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

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