Apple OS X Mavericks and iOS 7 Updates

Apple Software Updates

Amazing really that we get new software updates from Apple on many platforms:  Macs, iPads, iPhones and iPod Touches, free*.  However, if you are going to upgrade it makes sense to do it across all of the devices you own, if possible. The free application software updates for products like Pages will modify old documents once opened. To share the document across devices all the other devices that open the document will have to be at the same software release. 

My steps to upgrade:

Update your Mac with all the updates recommended by software update or the App Store before downloading Mavericks. If your Mac is an older machine and you can upgrade to Snow Leopard do it. From Snow Leopard you can upgrade to Mavericks in one step. 

Here is a link from Apple with more information about compatible Macs:

 http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5842

Mavericks and iOS 7 are really intertwined and much more symbiotic in their operations than previous releases of Apple software. I think once you upgrade, regardless of the order, you need to plan to do all your devices. 

Before I did my Mavericks upgrade I used iTunes to upgrade my iPhone and my iPad to iOS 7.  Check your apps and upgrade all of them first in iTunes . It's faster to download the updates if you have a computer connected to the Internet. When iTunes suggests that an upgrade is available for your device click “download only”. Come back later with your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch and reconnect to iTunes to do the upgrade, after the software download is complete. If you have the Pages, Numbers, or Keynote apps, check for updates on your device through the App Store after the OS 7 upgrade is complete.   Updates for these Apps did not show up in iTunes automatically, but did show up on my iPhone after the iOS 7 update completed. 

Run Time Machine and backup your Mac. 

Go to the Mac App Store and download Mavericks. The download took my MacBook Air about 35 minutes. Once the download is complete follow the instructions on your screen to begin the install. Make sure your Mac is plugged into a power source. The upgrade took about 40 minutes. At one point the install process said about 1 more minute to go. Of course this was more like 10, so be patient. I had my updated iPhone and iPad to play with, using the new iOS 7 software while waiting for my Mac to finish. 

Once Mavericks is installed check the Mac App Store again. There will be updates for iPhoto, iMovie and possibly for any other App Store software you have downloaded in the past. I have Pages, Numbers and Keynote and all needed updates as well as GarageBand and Aperture.

When all the updating was finally done I ran Time Machine again. This took a lot longer as there were many changes to back up.

It all worked. No hiccups and now I have a similar look and feel and compatible software across the board. Just for fun I created this note using Pages on my iPad. The note is saved to iCloud so I can edit it later on my Mac, if necessary. Considering how much time and effort it takes to create new software, make the updates run correctly, and then make it all free I say "Hats off to Apple".   

*Not all models of these devices will support the updates, and some will not support all of the new features. iTunes will offer an upgrade for those devices that are compatible with some or all of the new software. I recommend taking the upgrade if offered.