macOS will delay disk and other input/output operations for background tasks like backing up. Is there any point in disabling that in an Apple silicon Mac to make backups faster?
Apple silicon
How a Content Caching Server can be used to supply an update. Preflight checks are extensive, and lead on to other preparation. Finally the boot chime is muted, and the Mac rebooted to allow installation.
Do you still need Rosetta to translate Intel code so it runs on Apple silicon? With macOS 26.4, Rosetta warnings will start, telling that it won’t be available for much longer.
An important update for those expecting to update Apple silicon Macs to 26.4, as older versions may crash, and are expected to report firmware version errors.
How to use Share Disk in Recovery on an Apple silicon Mac, how fast it can be. Target Disk Mode on Intel Macs, and some less likely alternatives.
How Software Update settings obtains a list of available updates, and the variants that should contain. How mobile asset catalogues are checked, and preparations made to download the update.
How to read and interpret firmware version numbers from the first Intel Macs to the latest Apple silicon models.
Software update was completely redesigned for Big Sur, using finite state machines to enable reliable, flexible and robust updates to be applied to macOS. These are documented in log entries made during an update.
Doesn’t macOS wear out internal SSDs quickly because of all the data it writes to them? Will my Mac’s SSD wear out prematurely? How can I tell?
What do you do if you can’t start your Apple silicon Mac in Recovery? Try Fallback Recovery, as explained in detail here.
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