Apple showcased its new operating system in June of 2020. macOS Big Sur no longer continues the classic OS X series and this promises some solid changes.
Putting all the hype aside, we’ll explain how you can test the new macOS and be the first among your friends who’s conquered the Big Sur.
WhatsAppWeChatFacebookLinkedIn
Apple showcased its new operating system in June of 2020. macOS Big Sur no longer continues the classic OS X series (macOS 10…and forth) and this promises some solid changes. Putting all the hype aside, we’ll explain how you can test the new macOS and be the first among your friends who’s conquered the Big Sur.
So, how to download macOS Big Sur developer beta?
An important reminder: macOS Big Sur is still listed as “developer Beta” as opposed to “public” one. The latter should be available sometime around August 2020. So, you are technically an Apple Developer when you beta-test this new OS, and it implies that you are hardened Mac user ready for sudden errors and broken apps.
A few ideas before you install Big Sur download
- If possible, install on a separate drive/partition.
- Make sure you have at least 30-50 GB of free space.
- Make a bootable Catalina install so you can always go back.
1. Clean up your drive and back it up
A clean new install is always a safe choice. It’s often recommended that you free your startup drive from outdated cache files and debris from old apps. You can clean your Mac to make sure that these redundant items don’t stand in the way of your fresh new macOS.
To clean your hard drive without fuss, run a cleaning utility.
For example, you can run CleanMyMac X this tool is notarized by Apple and is safe.
This step ensures your Mac is free from unseen junk — you can expect to remove a few gigabytes of garbage. The app also checks your drive for viruses as a bonus.
Now, back up your hard drive
Now that your hard drive is sparkling clean, you can prepare the backup option. New macOS releases are prone to crashes, so you’ll need a “save” you can always go back to should things go wrong.
Click on Launchpad > Time Machine
2. Get an Apple developer account
Anyone can create one, and you can download Big Sur before everyone else. If you haven’t obtained the Apple Developer status, you can join this prestigious club.
3. Download Big Sur installer package
You will need to allow this download, after which you’ll be ready to download macOS Big Sur Installer package. It will appear in your recent downloads.
Go to your Downloads, find the yellow “box” and click on it. It should be titled macOSDeveloperBetaAcccessUtility.pkg
A few more clicks and checkboxes down the road and you’ll be downloading the macOS itself.
Did you know?
macOS Big Sur download takes up around 10 GB of hard disk space.
In a couple of moments, you’ll see a message that says that an update is ready for developer preview. If you don’t see it, restart your Mac and go to System Preferences > Software Update. The Big Sur will then appear as the suggested download.
4. Update your Mac to Big Sur Beta
How to download macOS Big Sur public Beta
As of early July 2020 public Beta is not available. Still, some folks go through various levels of pain trying to get hold of Big Sur installer. That’s right — because they are not Apple developers. Usually, the public Beta is released three weeks after the Developer Beta, which points us to late July 2020. Until then, we all have to wait.
Typical macOS release schedule:
- Developer Beta 1
- Developer Beta 2
- Public Beta
- Official release
Compatibility questions
Some Mac models will be left out with this release. This mostly relates to Macs made around 2012. Here is the list of Big-Sur compatible computers:
- MacBook (12-inch), from 2015 and newer.
- Mac mini, iMac, from 2014 onwards.
- MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, from 2013 onwards.
- iMac Pro, all models.
- Cautions and troubleshooting
Free space
As stated above, having enough free space on your drive is crucial. The new Big Sur macOS will be automatically downloading lots of patches, plugins, and other things. So it’s always a question, how much storage you will end up needing.
To free up tons of space without much fuss, grab a free copy of CleanMyMac X by MacPaw. You will probably like this app for Mac maintenance.
Activation Lock
The whole issue with iCloud, iTunes passwords and needing to reset them is every Mac user’s headache. Protect yourself before you download macOS Big Sur installer: Double-check your actual password for Apple services. Or, as another idea, turn off the Activation Lock before Big Sur installation. This requires that you sign in to iCloud.com > Find my Mac and remove your device from your Account.
Installation freeze-ups
macOS Big Sur is still a baby, so, quite often, it will freeze during the installation. For this reason, some people never install first betas but wait for the 2nd and 3rd iteration betas to be released. Don’t abrupt the process and stay patient. Also, ensure that your internet connection is stable during that time. But you have prepared the backup, just in case, right?
What’s there to see in Big Sur
You have probably watched the snippets of Big Sur during WWDC keynote. It’s impressive enough in terms of added features, although admittedly, not as revolutionary as its counterpart, iOS 14. If you decided to follow the above steps and download Big Sur, here’s what you can expect.
The looks
The macOS interface received a much-needed facelift. Windows and toolbars feel larger, and they are more rounded. Many folks agree that the Dark Mode looks much better on Big Sur compared to Catalina. The new Finder looks so weightless and thin!
Control Center
The Control Center is praised by many. A quick pane to manage settings like sound and brightness right at your fingertips is convenient. And while you’re doing all this, you can skip music tracks. By the way, if you ever used CleanMyMac X and its Assistant, you’ll find the new Control Center strikingly familiar. Might there be a coincidence?
Download the free version of this software here. This app is truly a Mac gem that is above any other Mac fixer in terms of design and thoughtfulness of each feature.
Safari update
Craig Federighi boldly states that we’ll see “the biggest Safari update in its history.” There is an instant one-click translator, refreshed tabs, and something for your passwords too. Safari will check your entered passwords for potential password leaks that had happened in the past. In macOS Big Sur Safari takes a hit on Chrome, promising much faster speeds. Luckily, you can prove this on your own Mac when you download macOS Big Sur installer.
Conclusion
We’ve just told you how to install macOS Big Sur on your Mac. This brand new operating system promises a bunch of revolutionary tools for your computer. Just imagine, a floating Dock! Or, notification panel you can customize.
If you decide to go ahead and download macOS Big Sur developer beta, here’s once again a reminder that betas can be buggy. It might also be useful to clean up your drive before you attempt the update. You can use our favorite cleaner, CleanMyMac X, or do it manually. That’s all for today stay safe and healthy!
This news was originally published at poptimesuk.com