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Preparing For macOS 11 Big Sur or macOS Server for Big Sur

Article ID = 242
Article Title = Preparing For macOS 11 Big Sur or macOS Server for Big Sur
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 12th November 2020
Article Last Updated = 4th May 2022
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?242

Article Brief Description:
A handy check list to do in preparing to install macOS 11 Big Sur or macOS Server for Big Sur

Preparing for macOS 11 Big Sur and/or macOS Server (v5.11)

WARNING: As of 21st April 2022 OS X Server/macOS Server is no longer available as Apple has discontinued it.

Here is a check list to do before installing macOS 11 Big Sur and/or macOS Server (v5.11):
  1. Check whether you have a compatible Mac from this list:
    • MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
    • MacBook Air (Mid 2013 or newer)
    • MacBook Pro 13"/15" (Late 2013 or newer)
    • Mac mini (Late 2014 or newer)
    • iMac (Mid 2014 or newer)
    • iMac Pro (2017 or newer)
    • Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)
    NOTE: If you are not sure whether you have a compatible Mac check our macOS 11 Big Sur Frequently Asked Questions article before proceeding.
  2. Big Sur has a dedicated Signed System Volume - this means if you install it in the same APFS "container" as another version of macOS you will have issues booting. If you wish to install macOS Big Sur on the same storage device as older versions of macOS (such as a dual boot configuration) you must create a new "container" (partition) for macOS Big Sur and install it to that separate container/partition!
  3. Check you do not need any of the following as Big Sur does not directly include/support them:
  4. If you have a third party SSD installed in your computer check to see if it needs a firmware update before installing Big Sur.
  5. Make sure you are connected to the internet (preferably with a fast connection and with a large or no data cap in place).
  6. Make sure you have an Apple ID (use the iTunes or App Store application to create one if necessary e.g. go to Macintosh HD > Applications > App Store > Store menu > "Create Account…" to get started if you don't have an Apple ID).
  7. Consider whether you want the Mac App Store Apple ID to be the same for services such as iCloud, iTunes, etc if you are going to use them.
  8. Make sure that your Apple ID "account" has enough credit on it or has a credit card on file (with enough credit on it).
    • macOS 11 Big Sur = FREE
    • macOS Server 5.11 = NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO BUY
  9. Check you have enough disk space:
    • macOS 11 Big Sur installer = ~12.5GB
    • macOS Server 5.11 installer = ~100MB
    • macOS 11 Big Sur installation = ~45GB
    • macOS Server 5.11 installation = ~250MB
  10. Backup and/or clone your computer.
  11. Check that your favourite software is Big Sur compatible.
  12. Temporarily disable any third party disk encryption software.
  13. Temporarily disable any anti-virus/malware software.


Article Keywords: macOS 11 Big Sur 1100 macOS Server 5.11 OS X OSXserver511

This article is © MacStrategy » a trading name of Burning Helix. As an Amazon Associate, employees of MacStrategy's holding company (Burning Helix sro) may earn from qualifying purchases. Apple, the Apple logo, and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.


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