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

Preparing for 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:
• Native Instruments TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK3.
• USB devices that have FTDI VCP chips with custom PIDs - compatibility issues reported
• legacy System/Kernel Extensions (KEXTs) - no longer supported
• VPN connections via L2TP over IPSec now require "HMAC-SHA-256" security at the third-party server end - make sure your VPN server is compatible!
• 32-Bit Applications - no longer supported
• Legacy media formats - no longer supported
• TLS certificates signed with the SHA-1 hash algorithm - no longer supported
• Apple's hardware RAID and Apple's RAID Utility - application removed
• Installing on and booting from FireWire storage - no longer supported
• .safariextz packaged Safari Extensions - Safari 14 in Big Sur does not support them
• Legacy NPAPI browser plug-ins including Adobe Flash - Safari 14 in Big Sur does not support them
• Playlist XML files - Big Sur splits iTunes into separate applications but also removes support for Playlist XML files - many popular DJ applications no longer work in Big Sur and will need to be upgraded
• The Dashboard feature - it is no longer available in the Mission Control System Preferences
• Legacy smart card support that uses TokenD - no longer supported
• Python 2.7 - no longer included/removed
• The ability to run AppleScripts/use Scripting Additions - see this in-depth article
• The ability to run most server features in macOS Server
• The ability to fully run applications that utilise OpenGL
• Back To My Mac - no longer supported/li>
• Proxy Automatic Configuration (PAC) via FTP or File URL schemes - no longer supported
• Messages support for AIM, Yahoo, Googla Talk and Jabber accounts - no longer supported
• PPTP VPN - no longer supported
• Rosetta for running PowerPC software - no longer supported
• Web Sharing - no longer included
• Xgrid Sharing - no longer included
• X11 - XQuartz may need to be reinstalled if you use it
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.

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