Before Lion ( OS X 10.7 ) debut in 2011 , installing the in style major version of Mac OS tenner meant corrupt a phonograph record and slipping it into your Mac ’s ocular driving . But Lion change all that by making OS X available for direct download , and Mountain Lion ( OS X 10.8 ) and Mavericks ( OS X 10.9 ) have inherit this dispersion method . More specifically , the latest reading of OS X is availableonlyas a download from Apple ’s Mac App Store — and this time around , it’sfree . This wee-wee it well-situated and more convenient to upgrade your bone than birth to buy and use a DVD or thumb thrust , but it also upgrade a number of questions , and it confront upgrade obstacle for some substance abuser . As I ’ve done the retiring few long time , I ’ve compiled this guide to let and installing Apple ’s latest OS .
Before proceeding , be sure to read my article ongetting your macintosh ready for Mavericks , which covers system requisite and recommendation , as well as a number of undertaking you should performbeforeupgrading to help the process go swimmingly .
bonnie warning : If you install maverick right when it ’s resign , keep in creative thinker that you ’re install interpretation 1.0 of a major new atomic number 8 . Itcouldbe bug - free , but if the account of OS X is any indication , we ’ll see the first update , containing a number of bug fixes , within a few week . If downtime is n’t an option for you , you might view hold off for the inevitable OS go 10.9.1 .
Downloading Mavericks
Assuming your Macmeets the requirements , getting Mavericks is easy — for most people ( more on that below ) . You only set up the Mac App Store practical app , click the OS X Mavericks streamer on the storage ’s master page ( or research forMavericks , or clickthis direct liaison ) , come home the Free Upgrade button at the top of the screen , and then click the Install App button that appear .
After you provide your Apple ID and password , Mavericks will begin download . Specifically , the 5.3 GB installer practical software , calledInstall OS X Mavericks.app , will be save to your independent Applications folder ( /Applications ) and , if you ’re upgrading from Mountain Lion or Lion , added to Launchpad . The installer will probably even automatically launch after it finishes download . On my cable - model connective the day of Mavericks ’s release , the download took 28 min .
Note that as with Mountain Lion , updates to Mavericks will be provided through the Mac App Store app . In fact , if you choose Software Update from the Apple Menu under Mavericks , the Mac App Store app launches . ( In Lion and other versions of OS X , that Apple Menu command alternatively launch the old Software Update utility . )
download the installer onto other mackintosh : Once you ’ve download Mavericks to one of your Macs , you could download the installer to any of your other 10.9 - able Macs by simply logging in to your Mac App Store account , find Mavericks in your Purchases list , and clicking the Download button to the right . ( Just like applications buy from the store , a individual “ purchase ” of Mavericks let you install it on all your personal Macs . )
Copying the Mavericks installer onto other mac : Alternatively , once you ’ve downloaded the Mavericks installer to one computer , you may copy it — over your local web or by using a flash drive , external arduous cause , or other media — to your other Macs . This is obviously a much fast access than re - download the 5.3 GB installer to each computing gadget . You wo n’t even be prompted to authorize the installer on each Mac , as you are with other Mac App storehouse - lot software program — the Mavericks installer does not use digital - right hand direction ( DRM ) .
Downloading the installer onto a Mac already running rebel : If you already have rebel — either the official release or the gilded master ( the final developer release , a.k.a . , the GM)—installed on a Mac , you may have problems download the final - version installer onto that Mac . The Mac App Store app may call back you already have the installer and , thus , not offer to let you download it again . ( This was a common consequence with Lion , although much less so with Mountain Lion and Mavericks , but I remark it here just in vitrine . ) If this go on to you , launch the Mac App Store app and Option+click the Purchases tab in the toolbar ; that should show the Download button next to Mavericks in the Purchases list . If that does n’t work , Option+click maverick in the listing and then Option+click the Installed button on the Mavericks pageboy . One of these two methods should allow you download the installer .
Similarly , if you ’re a developer who previously download the gold schoolmaster ( GM ) of the Mountain Lion installer , the Mac App Store app may claim that Mavericks is already installed on your Mac — and thus not allow you download the prescribed acquittance — if the Mac App Store app detect the GM installer onanyconnected mass . ( Again , this happen frequently with the Lion installer , but less so with Mountain Lion and Mavericks . ) If this happens to you , the answer is either to edit the GM installer ( after compact it or simulate it to a removable parkway if you want to keep it handy ) or , if potential , to disconnect the crusade on which the GM resides .
Keeping the installer on hand
Before proceed with facility , here ’s an significant crown : If you endure the installer from its default positioning in the Applications folder , the installment processdeletesthe installer , presumptively to free up the 5.3 GB of drive space it occupy . So if , as explicate above , you plan to utilise the installer on other Macs , if you need tocreate a bootable installer thrust , or if you just require to keep the installer on mitt , before instal , you should replicate the installer to another crusade — or at least move it out of the Applications brochure .
Installing Mavericks
Unlike version of OS X prior to Lion ( OS X 10.7 ) , Mavericks offers only a single installation option : where to add the new OS . In fact , you do n’t need to make any decisions until it ’s fourth dimension to set things up and set out using your Mac . You do n’t even involve to reboot from a dissimilar disc or volume — the Mavericks installer run as a standard software .
Once you ’ve downloaded the Mavericks installer , here are the dim-witted steps involve in installing the new OS :
That ’s the full installation process — as with the Lion and Mountain Lion installers , you do n’t need to choose between variouskindsof installs , pick from a list of language translation or pressman drivers , or make other potentially confusing pick that may or may not bear upon how your Mac functions .
That ’s not to say that there ’s nothing else to do , however . Your Mac will next go through the initial - setup physical process , and there are few labor you ’ll want to execute when you reboot into Mavericks for the first time .
Initial setup: Accounts, Apple IDs, and iCloud
When the installation routine stop , what you see depend on whether you ’ve instal Mavericks on an empty private road ; or on a cause containing Mountain Lion , Lion , or Snow Leopard with exist accounts , preferences , and data point .
Mountain Lion : If you ’ve upgraded from Mountain Lion ( or installed Mavericks onto a blank driveway and import your data and configurations from a Mountain Lion installation ) , the first thing you ’ll see when you sign in to your write up under Mavericks depends on whether or not you were already using iCloud under Mountain Lion . If you were , you ’re prompted to enter the parole for your Apple ID . If you were n’t , you ’re first remind to leave an Apple ID or password ; if you do n’t have one , you have the option to create an Apple ID . Once you ’re signed in , OS X necessitate if you desire to use receive My Mac for this Mac , and then you ’re prompted to agree to Apple ’s terms and conditions ( for OS X , secrecy policy , iCloud , and Game Center ) . Click Agree ( twice ) , and setup continue . ( Whether or not you were put up to employ iCloud under Mountain Lion , the first Apple ID screen give you the option , via a tiny text inter-group communication , to use dissimilar Apple id for iCloud and iTunes , if you do n’t apply the same account for both . )
In either lawsuit , the last step is to decide if you want to set up Mavericks ’s unexampled iCloud Keychain feature . get into you do , you ’ll be walked through the setup process . Once that labor is complete , you should be able to get right to turn with no further interruptions .
Lion : If you ’ve kick upstairs from Lion ( or instal Mavericks onto a white movement and imported your Lion data and configurations ) , the procedure is fundamentally the same as with Mountain Lion . Oddly , on one of our Lion - equipped trial Macs , we were n’t prompted on the first restart to provide our Apple ID ; it was only on thesecondrestart that we were prompted . I suspect this was simply a glitch .
Snow Leopard : If you ’ve upgraded from Snow Leopard ( or installed Mavericks onto a clean drive and imported your Snow Leopard data point and options ) , the first thing you ’ll see when you lumber in to your account under Mavericks is an Apple ID screen . Enter your Apple ID and password — you’re able to create an Apple ID here if you do n’t have one . ( You have the option , via a diminutive text link on this screen , to apply unlike Apple IDs for iCloud and iTunes , if you do n’t use the same account for both . ) Once you ’re signed in , OS X asks if you want to utilise Find My Mac for this Mac , and then you ’re prompted to agree to Apple ’s terms and condition ( for OS X , privacy insurance policy , iCloud , and Game Center ) . Click Agree ( double ) , and you may start using Mavericks .
Empty drive : If you instal Mavericks onto a white drive , your Mac will automatically re-start with that driveway as the startup drive . You ’ll then be walk through the new - system of rules setup procedure . First you opt a system speech and keyboard layout . Next , you choose a Wi - Fi mesh and supply the web password . ( If you ’re connect to an Ethernet connection , you cut this step . ) You ’re then asked if you require to reassign accounts and data point from another Mac , a Time Machine musical accompaniment , another inauguration drive ( such as a bootable clone backing ) , or a Windows PC ; or you’re able to simply start from scratch . If you do prefer to transfer datum , you ’ll be apply the choice to choose what to transfer — most likely , you ’ll want to transfer everything . The apparatus procedure will then continue much as if you upgraded from Mountain Lion , Lion , or Snow Leopard , severally .
If you choosenotto transfer data — so you ’re fundamentally starting fresh — you’ll be asked to get in your Apple ID and password ; if you do n’t have one , you have the option to create an Apple ID . ( If you use a separate Apple ID for iCloud and iTunes , you could tick the petty connectedness here to enter them severally . ) Once you ’re signed in , OS X require if you want to practice Find My Mac for this Mac . You ’re then prompt to accord to Apple ’s terms and condition ( for OS X , privateness policy , iCloud , and Game Center ) ; tick Agree twice to preserve . You then need to create a drug user account and password , configure a few options for that account , choose your time zona , and choose whether or not to allow OS X to automatically set the fourth dimension . The last step is to make up one’s mind if you want to put up Mavericks ’s new iCloud Keychain feature . assume you do , you ’ll be walk through the setup cognitive process . Once that task is complete , you ’re asked if you want to record your Mac , and after a brief set Up Your Mac screen , you could get to study .
Initial setup: Warnings and alerts
Incompatible software warning : If you upgrade a Snow Leopard , Lion , or Mountain Lion Mac , the first clip you boot into maverick you may see a dialog box informing you that some of the live software on your Mac is incompatible with the new OS , and number that software . ( Apple provides more information about such software ina living clause . ) You ’ll commonly see this subject matter if you had inwardness extension service — low - level software that patch the operating system itself — installed under your former OS X installation that Apple specifically knows wo n’t work with Mavericks . It ’s also potential to see the incompatible - software duologue box seat if you instal Mavericks onto a blank drive and then transferred data from another Mac or drive , but it ’s less probable — OS X ’s Migration Assistant generally does n’t import inwardness annexe and alike software responsible for low-toned - level processes . In either case , OS X automatically moves this incompatible software to a folder calledIncompatible Softwareat the root horizontal surface of your startup drive .
admission prompts : If you have any apps or menu duplicate that launch at login that require access to your calendars , reminders , or striking — for instance , a third - party calendar app — the first prison term you access under Mavericks , you ’re prompted to okay that access code . ( In translation of OS X prior to Mavericks , apps could get at this information without postulate your explicit approving . ) Click alright to approve , or Do n’t Allow to decline .
Similarly , if you expend any third - party utility that take reward of OS X ’s Assistive Devices have to , say , control windows or automate project , the first time you launch those utilities , each will cue you to approve this access in the Accessibility screen of System Preferences ’ Security & Privacy battery-acid . To give up approach , check the corner next to each app in the list here . ( If a utility has n’t yet been updated for Mavericks , it may prompt you to rather launch the Accessibility preference pane , and it may even spread out that pane for you . You ’ll need to switch to the Security & Privacy panelling , instead . )
What ’s New?:Finally , the first time you reboot into Mavericks , you ’ll comment a Notification Center alert oblation to show you some of OS X 10.9 ’s new features . Click Show to take the tour in your entanglement browser app . ( If you do n’t desire to take the tour now , you could always take it later by choose What ’s New In OS hug drug Mavericks from the Finder ’s Help menu . )
Post-Mavericks tasks
Once you ’re up and run in Mavericks , you ’re almost done . You may regain , despite yourpre - instalment tick , that some of your survive computer software needs update . Similarly , if you ’ve performed a “ clean-living ” install of Mavericks ( onto a vacuous effort without transferring history and datum ) , you ’ll need to spend a bit of time setting things up , and you ’ll desire to reinstall all your favorite apps .
Check ( again ) for updates : The first thing you ’ll desire to do is pick out Software Update ( from the Apple carte ) to launch the Mac App Store app and install any pending OS updates . If you ’ve installed Mavericks in the first few day of handiness , chance are you wo n’t have any updates look ( especially if you checked for update to Mountain Lion , Lion , or Snow Leopard now before upgrading , so you already have the in style update to other Apple software ) , but it ca n’t ache to be sure . And if you ’ve waited a week or more to install Mavericks , there ’s a good hazard Apple will have liberate a modest update — or will sometime presently .
Even if no updates to Mavericks itself are available , you may chance that , after instal OS X 10.9 , afirmwareupdate is usable for your Mac . For deterrent example , when Mountain Lion was publish last class , Mac laptops need a microcode update to support Mountain Lion ’s Power Nap feature , and this firmware update appeared onlyafterinstalling Mountain Lion ( presumptively because the firmware update was n’t necessary under Lion or Snow Leopard ) .
Set up printers , if necessary : If you did n’t upgrade from an already - configured installing of Mountain Lion , Lion , or Snow Leopard , you ’ll want to set up your printer(s ) . As with OS X 10.8 , 10.7 , and 10.6 , Mavericks does n’t let in many printer driver in its base installation . Rather , when you set up a pressman , the OS determine which driver you take and , if necessary , either downloads them mechanically or aid you get them . reach the Printers & Scanners pane of System Preferences and click the Add ( + ) button , and you ’ll see a listing of connected and nearby ( Bonjour ) printer . Choose one , and OS X will see if drivers are usable . If your Mac already has the driver install , OS X will specify it up immediately ; if you do n’t yet have the drivers , you see a message that you’re able to download the software and add the pressman .
mark for incompatible package and , if necessary , install apps : Next , if you saw the said incompatible - software program dialogue , now ’s a good time to check the content of theIncompatible Softwarefolder at the source level of your inauguration drive , and then contain each vendor ’s website for updated variation of that computer software . likewise , if you performed a fresh install ( installed Mavericks onto a vacuous drive and did n’t change accounts , applications , and data ) , it ’s time to reinstall your apps . Just make certain you ’ve got the in style reading , as well as the latest updates ( from vendor websites ) to software you install from compact disk and DVDs .
Note that , as with Mountain Lion , the first fourth dimension you prove to load a webpage or run an app that postulate Java , Mavericks will prompt you to download and add the Java runtime , even if you already had Java installed under the previous version of OS X. This is normal — you should n’t worry that establish Mavericks somehow “ lost ” any of your data or apps .
Enable FileVault : If you want to useFileVault , OS X ’s magnetic disk - encoding feature article , but it ’s not enable — either because you ’ve never used it or because you upgraded from Snow Leopard and followedmy advice to disable it before upgrading — now ’s the clock time to turn it on , via the Security & Privacy panelling of System Preferences . Note that if the Mavericks installer ( or the Mountain Lion or Lion installer before it ) was not able tocreate a Recovery HD partitionon your drive , youwon’t be able-bodied to enableFileVault .
Upgrade and installation challenges
For most people , Mavericks — like the two interpretation of OS tenner before it — is easy enough to get and easy to install . But , also as with Mountain Lion and Lion , upgrade to OS X 10.9 stage challenge for a few chemical group of masses .
mass with Mavericks - compatible Macs who are still using Leopard ( OS X 10.5 ): There are a few Mac model that originally ship with OS X 10.5 and are compatible with Mavericks . I ’m certain there are a expert number of those Macs still lead Leopard , and many of them will likely stay that way — if someone has been happily incline 10.5 for five or six age , and never felt the need to install atomic number 76 X 10.6 , 10.7 , or 10.8 , I doubt they ’ll be run out to install O 10 10.9 .
That say , what if you ’re one of the people who ’s still using Leopard , and you ’ve in conclusion been convinced to kick upstairs ? Or what if you want to come out reinvigorated by installing Leopard and then upgrading to Mavericks ? Can you jump-start directly from 10.5 to 10.9 ? Apple ’s prescribed insurance policy is that you need topurchaseand instal Snow Leopard ( presently $ 20 for a single - user licence or $ 30 for a family pack ) andthenupgrade to Mavericks .
Indeed , the Mavericks installer is stern about requiring OS X 10.6.8 : The installer covering itself will launch under Leopard , but it wo n’t allow you install rebel , either over Leopard or onto a bare cause . Nor can you mount a Leopard driving force on a Mac running Snow Leopard , Lion , or Mountain Lion and then establish 10.9 — the installer simply refuses to install over Leopard .
But what if you own a copy of Snow Leopard for the Mac in question , but you do n’t need to tally an time of day or two to the installation process by establish Snow Leopard first ? We ’ve published the instructions for instal Mavericks over Leopard . It ’s not a unproblematic procedure , but it works .
multitude with slow or limited - bandwidth net link : If your Internet connecter is dull , it will take alongtime — perhaps days — to download the 5.3 GB Mavericks installer . Even worse , if your ISP enforces caps on your Internet - data point custom , you could finish up paying a healthy price for the privilege .
If you ’ve got a Mac laptop , you could alternatively lug it to your favorite Apple retailer , the depository library , a friend ’s house , or the position — anywhere with a fast Internet connection — and download the installer there . In fact , for the preceding couple OS Adam releases ( Mountain Lion and Lion ) , Apple ’s prescribed insurance policy was to invite you to your local Apple Store and use the shop ’s Internet connection to download the installer ; store employee would even take the air you through the purchase , download , and installation unconscious process . I surmise that will keep to be the case with Mavericks .
Of naturally , if your Mac does n’t encounter to be portable , or if you live in an region where you ca n’t borrow a fast , punk Internet connection , you ’ll need to find another solution . If you ’ve got an Apple Store nearby , you may be able-bodied to take a portable severe movement or an 8GB - or - larger thumb drive to the storage and ask to purchase and download the installer on one of the store ’s mac . likewise , you could borrow a friend ’s computer , or — if you ’re lucky enough to have a Mac at the office — habituate your work computer to download Mavericks .
( When Lion was released , Apple made available a $ 69 bootable flash drive containing the Lion installer . Unfortunately , the company did n’t do the same for Mountain Lion last year , and I do n’t expect Apple to provide such an option for Mavericks , either . )
business concern , schools , and other organizations and institutions that need to install Mavericks on many different computers : When Lion ( the first version version of OS X to be download - only ) was expel , we heard concerns from large installations — schools , businesses , and the like — about the Mac App Store - only dispersion . These organization often need to roll out new variant of OS X to many macintosh , and drive each user to download and install Lion present significant technical , logistical , and keep issues . Mavericks presents the same challenge . Apple’svolume licensing informationwebpage excuse the options : Organizations will use the same purchasing procedure as always to grease one’s palms OS X , but they ’ll be given one Mavericks repurchase code for each purchase contract . After using that code to download the Mavericks installer from the Mac App Store , that written matter of the installer can be used on any and all Macs covered by the declaration .
To do so , Apple read customers can copy the OS X installer to the / Applicationsfolder on each Mac and then play the installer from there , or they can make a NetInstall or NetRestore trope , or use Apple Remote Desktop .
Apple does n’t specifically suggest this , but an option is tocreate one or more bootable Mavericks - install drivesand then deploy the bone on multiple computers using those .
Purring along
While researching this series of articles , I installed many , many copy of OS X 10.9 on a motley of Macs . As with Mountain Lion and Lion , my experience has been that for the distinctive Mac user with a broadband connection , the summons of purchasing , obtaining , and installing OS X keep on to be easy and pain - free . Still , heeding the advice above will reduce the fortune of problems and make the rise go as swimmingly as possible . Once you ’re up and running , moderate out all our article about the new OS , which get over its features , built - in apps , and more .
( For an evenmorein - depth look at upgrade to Mavericks , correspond outMacworldsenior contributor Joe Kissell’sTake Control of Upgrading to Mavericks , which covers such topic as extensive pre - install nosology , clean installs , facility troubleshooting , and much more . And see ourcomplete initiation guidefor how - tos on using OS X Recovery , create a bootable install drive , performing a unobjectionable install , and set up Mavericks over Leopard . )
