Whether on macOS or Windows, updating your computer to the latest version of your operating system (OS) is often not recommended for users relying on audio software and hardware. The following article will guide you through some of the considerations to keep in mind when you find yourself in this scenario.
Backups
Before considering updating your OS, you should always make sure that you have a full and complete backup of your files and system. On macOS, you can use Time Machine, and on Windows, you can use Backup and Restore. On macOS specifically, a full Time Machine backup also allows you to downgrade to a previous OS version if necessary.
Software Compatibility
When updating your OS, software compatibility is one of the biggest concerns, and has implications in both positive and negative ways. For example, updating your OS may allow you to run the most recent versions of Chrome if you were previously running an older, unsupported OS. On the flip side, if you're upgrading to the most recent OS as soon as it becomes available, your DAW software may not support it yet, meaning that some or all of the features in your DAW may not work correctly.
If you are considering upgrading your OS, it is vital to check software compatibility charts for your DAW, which are available from most developers or third parties. For example, Avid has a Pro Tools and OS compatibility matrix for specific versions of Pro Tools, with both macOS and Windows compatibility listed.
System Security Updates and Bug Fixes
Another reason to upgrade your OS is for system security updates and bug fixes. Over time, developers may discover certain vulnerabilities or bugs at the OS-level. Generally, the only way to solve these bugs is via an OS update. Thankfully, most of these are small and incremental updates, which do not change the full system version. For example, if you are running macOS 11.7.3, a small security update may only be to macOS 11.7.4. Typically these types of updates are less invasive for your audio technology considerations. Researching specific software and compatibility is still recommended.
When You Should Update vs. When You Should Not Update
A good general rule is to consider how important and necessary it is to install an update. It may help to ask yourself whether you would be impacted in an irreversible way if something were to go wrong with this update. For example, if you are in the middle of a course that uses Pro Tools and perform a full OS upgrade to a version that is incompatible with Pro Tools, would you be able to continue participating in your course? In this type of circumstance, it's usually not advised to upgrade one's primary device, at least until the end of a term.
If you have verified compatibility as well as possible and still want to perform an upgrade, it's still recommended to install it while you are not actively taking a course. Even if compatibility is verified, upgrades can be one of the more intensive tasks your computer performs, and can occasionally bring certain issues to the surface. For example, if you have an older computer with a magnetic, disk-based hard drive which may have mechanical issues, then an OS upgrade could effectively render the computer nonoperational.
If you have a secondary computer which is not your primary device, this can be a good option to test a new OS for compatibility. If you discover issues after updating, you still have a stable, known-good device that you can continue to use.
