Overview
Apple is no longer providing support to older versions of the Mac operating system. If your computer is currently running an older version, you should have received or will be receiving an email from DTS. Below, we provide a copy of the email we sent, followed by further instructions.
Email notification
Your USC computer is running an older version of the Mac operating system. Because Apple no longer supports this older version, your computer may be vulnerable to security exploits.
To update your Mac operating system before June 1, 2021, please follow the steps in our online guide. Apple may allow you to update to Big Sur, Catalina, or Mojave.
We welcome you to contact us well in advance of June 1 if you would like assistance: simply email ts@dornsife.usc.edu.
If your computer is not updated by June 1, we may need to automatically update it to minimize security risks to the USC network. This automatic process may restart your computer in the middle of your tasks and cause you to lose unsaved work.
Updating your Mac operating system
Quick guide
Step 1: Make sure your computer files are safely backed up
The update should not affect your files, but we recommend having your files backed up to be safe. You can use a USC-approved cloud storage service or an external storage device. For detailed instructions, view our guide, "Getting started with file storage and backup."
Step 2: Update your operating system through the App Store
- Go to your Apple menu > App Store…
- Click on Updates.
- Locate the "Software Update" section and click on Update.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade process.
FAQ
I can't update because my Mac doesn't have enough free storage space
Apple provides the following guide, "How to free up storage space on your Mac." Some tips include:
- Empty your trash
- Delete documents from your Downloads folder
- Remove larger files from your computer by uploading them to cloud storage or saving them on an external storage device
If you just don't have enough free storage space for the latest version, Big Sur 11 (which requires 35.5–44.5GB of available storage, depending on your current Mac version), you can try installing an earlier version:
I can't update because my Mac says that Big Sur is blocked on my computer
Macs must have SentinelOne (security software) installed before they can install Big Sur. Please email us at ts@dornsife.usc.edu if you receive this message, and we will deploy SentinelOne to your Mac so that you can install Big Sur.
The App Store's "Software Update" section isn't working for me
Try downloading the older installers via the direct links below. The links will open the corresponding installer's page in the App Store. Click on Get to begin the download, and the installer will automatically open once downloaded.
You included a computer name/serial number in the email you sent me, but I don't recognize it
We identified you as the most recent user associated with the computer in question, but it's possible that it's a shared computer or even an older computer that you no longer use. Let us know if this is the case.
To double-check the name of your active computer, follow Apple's guide, "Find your computer's name and network address on Mac."
To double-check the serial number of your active computer:
- In the upper left corner of your desktop, click on the Apple menu icon.
- From the dropdown menu, click on About This Mac.
- A new window opens and your serial number displays:
