In the new Apple operating system macOS Mojave 10.14 for iMac and Macbook there are many innovations introduced and many are even the graphical changes of the interface. After hearing some of the new features, you got the curiosity to install macOS Mojave 10.14. So you’d like to know how to get it before the official release, maybe via the beta channel. Also, you would like to have more information about its new features. Well, if that’s what you’re looking for, I’d say you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, I will tell you how to install macOS Mojave 10.14 on your iMac or MacBook. I’ll tell you which Macs are compatible with this operating system. Then, it reveals its functions “peak”. And finally, I’ll explain how to download and install the macOS mojave beta. So, if you agree, I’d say we can start right away.
How to install macOS Mojave 10.14
Before installing MacOS Mojave 10.14, it is imperative that you suggest to back up your data with Time Machine. Make a copy of your data and information on an external disk, on a NAS, or on the cloud. If you have previously installed macOS Sierra, you could also use iCloud to save data. I do not advise you to proceed without having done so.
After saving the files, you can download and install MacOS Mojave without too much worry. The only hitch, you could have it if you installed Windows on Mac using Bootcamp. In that case, in fact, it is probable that you will also have to reinstall the program you are using to boot the operating systems. Unfortunately, the only start of macOS, since during the installation, the operating system rewrites the boot partition, causing this small problem. That said, I invite you to proceed with the reading.
Index
Requirements and compatible Macs
We start immediately with the requirements to install macOS Mojave 10.14. This operating system is compatible with Macs from the Mid 2012 series or higher. Exception is made for Pro models from 2010 to 2012 that have a graphics card capable of supporting the new Metal framework. In detail:
- MacBook Air Mid 2012 or later
- MacBook Pro Mid 2012 or later
- MacBook Early 2015 or later
- Mac Mini Late 2012 or later
- iMac Late 2012 or later
- iMac Pro 2017 or later
- Mac Pro Late 2013
- Mac Pro Mid 2010 and Mid 2012 with Metal compatible graphics card
The Late and Mid models refer respectively to the Fine and Half models marketed in many countries. To find out if your Mac is compatible with macOS Mojave 10.14, click the Apple Menu icon and choose About this Mac. You will then see the precise model of Mac you have.
New features
If you have a Mac that allows you to install MacOS Mojave 10.14, you could get it right away to try out the new features. There have been many improvements both in terms of performance and graphics. The main innovations include the Dark Mode, the screenshots, the Finder, the Continuity Camera, the dynamic desktop (dynamic Desktop), the App Store and, last but not least, privacy. Below I’ll tell you how they work.
Dark mode
macOS Mojave 10.14 optimizes the user’s work by enabling it to activate Dark Mode. This isalso known as the Dark theme, which highlights the details of windows and system icons, coloring the toolbar, menus and system windows in black.
screenshots
The ability to take screenshots on Mac has been improved with macOS Mojave 10.14. In addition to the classic combinations, the screenshots on Mojave now show a preview of the capture for a few seconds. You can select it to view the captured image and edit it with an editor integrated in the Finder. In fact, even iOS 12 on the iPhone, released with Mojave, provides the editor of the screenshots. In fact, on the iPhone, this feature was introduced a year earlier with iOS 11.
Finder
Regarding the Finder, in MacOS Mojave 10.14 an editor and a gallery have been integrated that allow you to modify and view documents and photos “on the fly”, without using external applications. Beyond that, you can now view the metadata of a file without going into the properties.
Another big news related to the Finder is called Pile. This is a desk function that allows you to reorder files and documents by Type, by Date and by Tag automatically. For example, PDFs and Excel spreadsheets can be grouped according to a specific criterion.
Continuity Camera
The Continuity Camera is a new camera feature introduced on MacOS Mojave 10.14 and iOS 12. To be able to use it, you need both versions of the updated operating systems (or later). It consists in capturing an image from the iPhone and transferring it in real time and automatically on Mac. In this way, for example, if you are writing a document with Pages and you need to add a related photo, you can insert it “on the fly” using the iPhone.
Dynamic desk
The Dynamic Desktop is a function that aligns with the Dark Mode of macOS Mojave 10.14. In practice, you can select a Dynamic Theme in System Preferences which, depending on the times of the day and the position, will change automatically, combining Dark Mode and Classic Mode.
To this, we can add a beautiful background of the dynamic desk, represented obviously by the Mojave desert, located in California near Los Angeles. This image becomes dark when it is night and bright when it is dawn or during the day. Really impressive.
App Store
The App Store on macOS Mojave 10.14 is completely different from previous models. There is a new interface compatible with Dark Mode. In addition, the App Store has been redesigned to help the user find the app that best suits his needs. There are news, videos, the most used apps and those chosen by the developers. In short, you will experience a new experience when you go to download applications.
Privacy
On the privacy side, macOS Mojave 10.14 worked a lot. Although the Mac is a rigorous operating system, controls regarding third-party app permissions have been refined. For example, there will be more controls after installing an application or program about location authorization, contacts, files and so on.
Installation
If you want to install MacOS Mojave 10.14, in the official release (public version), you have to wait for the arrival on the App Store, scheduled for September 2o18, in autumn therefore. At that point, Apple will send you an update notification to switch to the new operating system.
It’s also true, though, that you could try it right away, like I did. You should install the macOS Mojave 10.14 beta. I warn you that they are subject to bugs and unstable, because they are not yet fully compatible with all third-party programs. Therefore, it is not recommended to install them on work computers, but only on test environments.
That said, to install MacOS Mojave 10.14 you must first sign up for free to Apple’s beta program, known as the Apple Beta Software Program. You can do it from this address. After registering with the Apple ID, log in to the service and click Enroll your Devices. From there, click Download macOS Mojave Public Beta Access Utility. You will then download the software to get the beta.
Now, open the Utility, download MacOS Mojave 10.14 and wait. At the end of the download, the Mac will ask you to install the new operating system. Accept and follow the guided procedure (very simple). After several restarts, you will finally have MacOS Mojave 10.14 installed on your iMac or MacBook.
First start
After you have managed to install macOS Mojave 10.14, you will immediately realize that the files and settings will remain intact. At the same time, the new features that I mentioned above will be introduced. Try them all and configure them according to your needs.
From now on, check the RAM memory of the Mac and its CPU. In fact, when you upgrade, beyond the system requirements, you need to look at the RAM and CPU consumption to see if there are any apps that have not yet been optimized and therefore slow down the Mac. An antivirus is an example.
In System Preferences, you will also find a new section called Software Update. From there, you can adjust the updates of macOS Mojave 10.14 and later versions. In addition, you can activate the Keep automatically updated Mac option to download and install updates automatically. For more information on macOS Mojave 10.14, please see the dedicated Apple page.