It may be tempting to install Apple’s new macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 update, but there are some steps you should take before moving your Mac from macOS Big Sur 11.6.2 or older to this version of macOS Big Sur.
Apple’s macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 update is a minor upgrade and is available for immediate download if you have a compatible Mac and haven’t upgraded to macOS Monterey yet.
macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 update brings a host of new security enhancements to Mac users. There are no known features or bug fixes on board.
macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 is a major upgrade and Mac users who want to stay on macOS Big Sur should install it soon. That said, it’s hard to predict how the new software will affect your Mac’s performance.
While some of you may see an increase, others will encounter annoying bugs and performance issues. This is exactly why it is important to do some preparatory work before starting the installation. A little bit of work beforehand can help you avoid serious problems.
With that in mind, we want to help you prepare to migrate from your current version of macOS to macOS Big Sur 11.6.3. We always recommend taking 30 minutes or more to prepare yourself and your device for action.
Learn About macOS Big Sur 11.6.3
Make sure you are familiar with the changes of macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 before installing. We’ve published a guide to guide you through the changes.
Decide If You’re Upgrading or Doing a Clean Install
There are two ways to install macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 on your Mac. You can update everything and keep it in place, or do a clean install if you want to start from scratch.
The update option is the easiest and is the path most users should take. This keeps all your files, apps and photos in place and takes the least amount of time.
Of course, it can bring problems and it brings clutter. If you don’t regularly remove junk files from your Mac, a clean install can wipe out your drive and free up space. It will install only the apps and files you need.
You can do a clean install using this guide. Before doing so, make sure you take the time to back up all your important files.
Back Up Your Mac
Before installing the macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 update, be sure to back up your Mac.
Make sure your important files are backed up to the cloud before clicking install. We also recommend having a local Time Machine Backup handy.
If you have problems with the installation, you can restore from a backup and run the old macOS software fairly quickly.
From here you can try reinstalling macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 or find out what the problem is.
Make Sure You Know Your Passwords
If you’re migrating from a really old macOS software, make sure you have all your passwords handy before installing macOS Big Sur 11.6.3.
When you restart your Mac after installing macOS Big Sur 11.6.3, you will need to sign in to your computer and may need to sign in to your Apple account as well as your apps and services.
We recommend using a password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or even Apple’s built-in manager to keep this information for you. If you don’t want to use them, be sure to test logging into your Apple account and email.
Review macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 Feedback
If you’re feeling a little cautious about migrating to macOS Big Sur 11.6.3, you should review feedback from early adopters.
Again, chances are you may encounter bugs and/or performance issues on your device after upgrading to Apple’s latest macOS Big Sur firmware.
Updates usually affect older Mac models the most, so if you have an older model and are worried about taking a leap from your current software, you’ll want to get feedback from those who have made the leap.
This feedback will alert you to potential bugs and issues. You can also learn about the potential benefits of Apple’s new firmware.
you’ll want to stick around Apple’s discussion forumsSocial media sites like YouTube and Twitter to get feedback from macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 users.
Some of you may want to wait for long-term feedback to appear before committing. And others may even want to wait for Apple to release its new macOS Big Sur software.
Prepare for macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 Issues
As we move away from the release of the macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 update, we’re hearing about a number of different issues, from installation issues to issues with first- and third-party apps.
Unless you have an encyclopedia of fixes for macOS issues hiding in your head, you’ll want to track down and bookmark fixes for potential issues.
Check out our list of fixes for the most common macOS Big Sur issues to get you started. We’ve also published a guide to help you fix battery problems.
Check App Reviews, Compatibility and Install Updates
If you trust your apps throughout the day, you may want to read app reviews before installing macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 on your computer(s).
App developers roll out support updates. These updates will be crucial to your latest macOS Big Sur firmware experience.
Before installing macOS Big Sur 11.6.3, you’ll want to go to the App Store and read reviews from users. If the reviews are mostly positive, go ahead and install the latest updates.
If the feedback is negative, you may want to wait for a new version of macOS Big Sur or the developer to update the app before moving your device to the latest software.
Talk to BT Before Installation
If you’re using your Mac for business, you may want to check with your IT team (if applicable) and make sure the green light is on to install macOS Big Sur 11.6.3.
Enterprise issues plague every version of macOS and can be especially bad after Apple releases new macOS software.
If you rely on your device to do your job, it’s important to contact IT to see if the update is safe. If you have an IT department, it should be able to provide you with feedback on the core apps and services you use.
If you don’t have an IT department or a tech on site, you might want to ask the office or talk to friends who use the same services and see how they fare on the latest software.
Learn About Downgrade Process
Before downloading macOS Big Sur 11.6.3, you should be familiar with the downgrade process.
If you run into issues, apps not working, battery life issues, or simply don’t like the new update, you can downgrade to the older firmware. It’s much easier than downgrading iOS, and there’s no limit to how far you can go.
The easiest way to do this is to restore a Time Machine Backup you made just before installing the macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 update. If you’ve made a backup, it will help your Mac run on an older version of macOS very quickly.
You can find more information on how to downgrade macOS software to an older version here.
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