Frequently Asked Questions About macOS Catalina

Catalina is the name for the next version of macOS. Learn about the new features, features that will be removed from macOS, and other commonly asked questions. With iTunes being broken up into three apps, what will happen to your music library, TV shows and iPhone syncing? Can you run iOS apps on Catalina? When will it come out and how much will it cost?

Comments: 22 Responses to “Frequently Asked Questions About macOS Catalina”

    Joe Innamorato
    5 years ago

    Hi Gary, my iMac is from 2009. I’ve always upgraded it along the way and I’m currently running High Sierra. I haven’t gone any fur5her because I’m afraid it might be too old and it’s running just fine now. Can I leave it there, or should I continue to upgrade the Operating system? Thank you for any help you can give me... Joe

    5 years ago

    Joe: Yo won't be able to get Catalina on it, but you may be able to get Mojave. Why not get it and take advantage of the latest features and optimizations? I always use the latest software, especially when the upgrade is free.

    Kenneth Briggs.
    5 years ago

    Hi Gary i have Mojave on my iMac is there any reason i should NOT update to Catalina. I use microsoft word and wish to keep it.

    Bob Metzger
    5 years ago

    Hi Gary, Thanks for doing the video. It's very helpful as are all your videos and courses.

    Victoria Hill
    5 years ago

    Thank you Gary. Succinct and friendly as ever.

    5 years ago

    Kenneth: Is your Word 64-bit? If so, then why not go to Catalina? Once it is released, of course. And if your Word is old, but you like it so much, then why no update Word?

    Ralph C
    5 years ago

    I am new to Mac, like only a month. The comment above from Kenneth asks about Microsoft Word and the fall update. I too use Office on my MacBook, and would like to know if the update will be a problem. I hope not.

    5 years ago

    Ralph: It looks like Word went to 64-bit back in 2016. Check your version, but if you have something newer than that, you should be fine.

    joe juliano
    5 years ago

    I am wondering about the loss of the doc in Catalina and the ease of accessing the apps. I'm sure the learning curve will be a long and winding road but with your help in MacMost we should all be a little bit at ease. To Kenneth Briggs: Gary you might know of this/comment on it: I read that the Microsoft up date to v10 will not work on/with Apple/Mac when that update comes out. Suggest researching that Kenneth.
    Good work Gary as always.

    5 years ago

    Joe: What do you mean by the "loss of the doc?" What doc? A document? The Dock? The Dock is part of Catalina, it isn't going anywhere.

    Jim Haynes
    5 years ago

    How do I tell if an app I am using is 64-bit?

    5 years ago

    Jim: If an app is 32-bit, you should have been getting warnings about it in Mojave already. You can also check in Apple Menu, About This Mac, System Report, Software, Applications then select the app from the list.

    Peter Eckle
    5 years ago

    I have Mac OS High Sierra. How do I update to Mojave?

    5 years ago

    Peter: Go to the Mac App Store app. Search for Mojave (If you don't see it right away). Select it and download, then run the installer.

    Eric
    5 years ago

    Hi Gary. You mention that Catalina will not support 32-bit applications. There is one (viz Ascent) that I use to keep a record of cycling trips. Unfortunately, despite attempts to trace the developer, it has not been updated for a few years and there seems to be no prospect of that happening. Could you please consider making another of your excellent video tutorials that shows how to move an existing 32-bit application and its data from one Mac (running Mojave) to another (running El Capitan)?

    5 years ago

    Eric: That would be very specific depending on the application. I have no idea how to do it for that particular one. Does it include any export options? Or maybe a way to print out a record to a PDF or something? If so, I would export your data and then find a new and maintained app that you can use from now on. There's not much else you can do unless there is another app out there that can read the particular data format used by your abandoned app.

    Eric
    5 years ago

    Gary: thanks for your suggestions. Mission accomplished. It turned out to be rather straightforward: copy app bundle from the Applications folder along with the associated data folder from my user account from one machine to the other (via an AirPort disk). On testing the migration I found a few preferences were missing but they will be very easy to re-establish.

    Donna
    5 years ago

    Hi, love the tutorials , I have been getting error messages on my MacBook Pro purchased 2017 (no strip across top) server.app 32-bit is not optimized. Update, but it doesn’t say what to update. Is there a scan or something to find these, my App Store says all is updated 🥴. Thank in sdvance

    5 years ago

    Donna: What does the error say, exactly? With the exact words in the error message (was it exactly "server.app" and nothing else?) you should be able to search the web to get an answer on that. You can look for 32-bit apps in Apple Menu, About this Mac, System Report, Applications, but you will see all sorts of 32-bit "things" in there that aren't important, like old drivers and extensions. So it will be hard to narrow it down. Also, notice WHEN this error appears. Is it after you launch an app or do a particular action? That will give you a close as well.

    Ed
    5 years ago

    Just a comment on old MS Office replacement: As I understand it, current versions must be periodically subscribed to, meaning there will be annual fees a la Photoshop. I, personally, am anticipating using my old Word and Excel files, using Numbers and Pages (Apple Apps that come with the OS).

    John Erskine
    5 years ago

    Hi Gary, I have a late 2013 iMac and I keep it updated. Now running Mojave. Can it handle Catalina?

    5 years ago

    John: Yes. You can see the list here, near the bottom: https://www.apple.com/macos/catalina-preview/

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