macOS 11 Big Sur has been released for quite a while and many users have updated or plan to update to this latest version. Most of the time, we get a perfect mac update and enjoy all the way to the next update. However, we may run into troubles when updating mac to the latest macOS Big Sur or Catalina version.
Among all troubles, 'Missing files after mac update', 'I updated my mac and lost everything' are main complaints when users update from Catalina to Big Sur or from Mojave to Catalina, this can be caused:
- macOS installed unsuccessfully or interruptedly;
- Excessive disk fragmentation leads to the damage of hard drive;
- Mac hard drive doesn’t have enough storage space for missing files;
- Don’t upgrade system regularly;
- Haven’t back up import files via Time Machine or others;
But no worries anymore, we are going to give 6 solutions to recover your missing files after mac update to Big Sur or Catalina.
With my system now working on OC 0.6.3, I created an OC Big Sur install USB, kicked off the install/upgrade, did the 3 or 4 reboots and that’s it. Successful Catalina/OC to Big Sur upgrade. So far everything but on-board Audio works, but that was also the case in Catalina. Download Big Sur or Monterey (Beta) - point to and install on the external drive - again an SSD would give you better performance once installed - then boot from the external and use migration assistant to migrate the Mojave data to the external. Another option would be to clone your Mojave system to the empty drive using CCC Carbon Copy Cloner. How to install macOS Big Sur. Here are the steps to update macOS to the latest version Big Sur: If you are using a Mac laptop, plug it into AC power. Make sure that you have a stable internet connection. Go to the Apple menu → select System Preferences → click on Software Update.
- I recently got a 9700k in a deal and so upgraded my big sur desktop. I need drm and hardware acceleration and so, not worth the upgrade for me. If you are planning to use built in graphics, get the 9700k. If you have AMD video card, keep 9400f and use imac pro smbios - runs cooler and stable.
- But Migration Assistant has its limits: in Catalina and Big Sur, you must migrate from a backup made from or a computer running Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan or later. Attempts to copy from older.
#1 Easiest Way to Recover Missing Files after Mac Update with Success
Performing data recovery software is not a particularly difficult affair. You just need a helpful, dedicated and high-efficiency tool, like Cisdem Data Recovery for Mac. It can recover variety of files whether it’s caused by macOS update, accidental deletion, system crash, sudden power off, emptying recycle bin or other reasons. Apart from Mac internal drive, it can also recover deleted, formatted and lost files from other removable devices.
Cisdem Data Recovery Features
- 5 recover modes to recover missing, deleted, formatted files on mac
- Recover 200+ types of files (documents, videos, audios, images, etc.)
- Recover from virtually all internal and external drives
- Fast scanning and allow resuming scanning
- Preview files in original quality before recovery
- High recovery rate
How to Recover Missing or Lost Files after Mac Update?
- Download and install Cisdem Data Recovery onto your Mac.
Free Download - Choose Recovery Mode.
Launch the program and choose a recovery mode. There are 5 recovery modes on the main interface, we recommend you to use basic data recovery at first. If you are not satisfied with the result, try advanced data recovery. - Scan Missing Files after Mac Update.
The software will detect and show partitions on your Mac. Select a specific location where you lost your files, and click Scan button to process. - Recover Missing Files after Mac Update.
Once the scanning completed, the program will show the list of files that can be retrieved in the categories of document, photo, audio, video, archive and other. You can preview the missing files and select for later recovery. - Click “Recover” to get all the missing files back to your mac.
#2 Recover Lost Files from Time Machine
Time Machine is a piece of backup software that was integrated into the Mac operating system, it can be used to back up your files automatically to an external hard drive. Mac update deleted everything? Time Machine can help you recover lost photos, iPhone pictures, documents, calendars, etc. easily. But only if you have backup files as I said.
- Reboot your Mac, then hold down Command + R keys to boot into Recovery Mode at once;
- Choose Restore from Time Machine Backup and click Continue;
- Run Time Machine on Mac, select the files you need to recover and click on Space Bar to preview the files;
- Click the Restore button to recover missing files after mac update;
Sometimes Time Machine shows you errors due to the wrong operation or Mac performance. It’s not always successful to recover missing files after mac update. At this time, try Cisdem Data Recovery.
#3 Turn Off Saving Files on iCloud Drive
One great benefit that macOS offers to its users is the expanded storage space on iCloud, if you have turn on iCloud Drive, the missing files after mac update are just moved to your iCloud Drive and you need to turn this feature off.
- Click on the Apple icon, choose System Preferences>iCloud;
- Click on Options under iCloud Drive;
- Make sure the box before Desktop & Document Folders is deselected. Then click “Done”;
- Then login into your iCoud account, download the files in your iCloud Drive to Mac as needed.
If the box before Desktop & Document Folders is deselected in the fist place, you can try to recover missing files from iCloud backup. That’s to say, you just need to login into iCloud website, choose the files and click the Download icon to save all the missing files onto your mac.
#4 Login into Different User Account
Don’t be surprised that you are recommended to doing so. Yes, I am quite sure you know which account and how you should login into, but sometimes, macOS update just deletes your old user account profile but keeps the home folder, and that’s the reason why your files are gone and missing. In this case, you just need to add your old profile back and login into again.
- Click on the Apple icon, select “Log out xxx”;
- Then login with your previous used account again to check if the files can be found, you are recommended to try on all registered accounts on your mac;
- If you are not given the choice to login using your old account, click Apple icon>System Preferences>Users & Groups, click on the padlock with your password to add the old account as exactly as before. Then login in to find the missing files.
#5 Manually Check All Your Folders on Mac
Most of the times, we cannot pinpoint the exact reasons causing missing files after mac update and it is a challenge to find back the missing files especially when you are not quite proficient at using your Mac. In this case, you are recommended to manually check each folder on your mac and find the missing files.
Notes: If there is any folder named as Recovered or Recover-related under an user account, you should never miss these folders, please carefully check each sub folder for missing files.
- Click on Apple icon and bring up the Apple Menu;
- Go to Go>Go to Folder;
- Input “~” and continue with Go;
- Then check each folder and its subfolders on your mac, find the missing files after mac update.
#6 Contact Apple Support
The last but not the least method to recover data when mac update deleted your files is contacting the Apple Support team. Yes, they are professional and what you need to do is submitting a form online, give a call or write emails as instructed on the contact webpage.
Tips to Avoid Missing File After Mac Update
You can take the simple measures below to avoid missing files after mac update to Big Sur or Catalina:
- Check to see if your Mac can run macOS 11 Big Sur or macOS 10.15 Catalina
- Check if there any errors on Disk Utility;
- Disable login/startup items before upgrading;
- Turn on Time Machine and connect an external drive to make automatic backups;
- Free up and leave sufficient space to update macOS;
- Remain at least 45 percent of power on your Mac and keep the network smooth;
- Make sure the apps on your Mac are up-to-date;
Final Words
It is true that you should try different ways to recover the missing files after macOS update, the issue can be easy or difficult, as long as you find the appropriate method to fix it. Generally speaking, if you have backed up your mac, you can easily find back the missing files via Time Machine or other online storage service, otherwise, you are recommended to use Cisdem Data Recovery, which can guarantee that most of the missing files can be restored.
macOS Big Sur is the latest available operating system that was launched in November 2020. But If you didn’t upgrade to macOS Catalina and are still running Mojave, Big Sur has several significant changes in store for you. When comparing Big Sur v Mojave, we need to account for the changes introduced in Catalina, as well as those in Big Sur. And together, they really do create a whole new Mac.
Before you upgrade to Big Sur, it’s worthwhile clearing out the clutter and forgotten files from the dark corners of your Mac. That way you’ll have a better chance of successfully installing Big Sur and it will run noticeably smoother. CleanMyMac X (this app is notarized by Apple) can quickly identify and get rid of gigabytes worth of files — mostly caches and hidden background apps. So give this app a shot. We’ll show you how to use it later in the article.
macOS Big Sur vs macOS Mojave: iTunes
The biggest change from Mojave to Catalina, and from Mojave to Big Sur is that iTunes is gone. In its place are three new apps: Music, Podcasts, and Apple TV. The contents of your iTunes Library are split across those three apps and synced over iCloud. It mirrors the way you access music, podcasts and TV shows in iOS. Any movies or TV shows you have previously bought on the iTunes Store are available in the Apple TV app, where you can also subscribe to Apple’s Apple TV+ streaming service.
macOS Big Sur vs Mojave: links with iOS
Catalina introduced the ability to easily port apps from iPad OS to macOS with a feature called Catalyst, resulting in several iPad apps becoming available on the Mac. Catalina also introduced a new Find My app on macOS, which works in the same way as the one in iOS, allowing you to find your Mac, iOS device, and friends in one app. Also, in Catalina and Big Sur, you can use an iPad as a second display or a graphics tablet with your Mac. And Screen Time now includes your Mac as well as iOS devices in its monitoring of the time you or members of your family spend in front of a screen.
Mojave vs Big Sur: Built-in apps
In Catalina, the biggest improvement over Mojave was the Reminders app, which was completely re-designed. It now allows you to create smart lists of reminders, add attachments and links, and Siri can suggest reminders from within other apps like Messages. You’ll notice Mail has a new layout, and the option to block senders and mute threads. And Notes has a new gallery view.
Problems Upgrading From Mojave To Big Sur
Safari and Photos were improved in Catalina and again in Big Sur. Photos now highlights your best shots and hides duplicates or photos that don’t look so great. It also has a refreshed interface, better retouch tool, improved editing tools, and new soundtracks for memories.
There are even more changes in Safari. You can now customize the start page with an image of your choice, and include Siri suggestions on that page. You can also add iCloud tabs, your reading list, and a privacy report. Safari is faster than ever in Big Sur and is more energy efficient, so won’t run down the battery on your MacBook Pro as quickly.
Tabs have been re-designed, and Safari will now tell you which cross-site trackers have tried to follow you, which of your passwords has been compromised in a security breach, and it can translate text on a web page from several languages at the click of a button.
Messages also significantly better in Big Sur than it was in Mojave, and is now on a par with the iOS version. You can now pin conversations to the top of the messages list, reply directly to messages in a group conversation, add an image icon to a group conversation, and ‘mention’ other participants in a group conversation. Messages also now allows you to create Memoji within the app and to search for GIFs to send.
QuickTime Player now has support for picture-in-picture mode, timecodes, the ability to create movies from folders of images, and an improved inspector.
How to find the unseen apps from past life
On every Mac there are apps and their leftovers from past macOS systems. Not all of them show up in your Applications, unfortunately. So here’s how to get rid of these annoying app remainders as you’re upgrading your macOS to Big Sur version.
We’ll be using the free edition CleanMyMac X. Download it here from the developer’s site.
Click Uninstaller in the sidebar.
In that interface you can scan for you unused apps, app leftovers, and more importantly, the 32-bit apps that will not be supported on macOS Big Sur. They are apps coded in different architecture.
Select apps you don’t need and click Remove. That’s it!
macOS Mojave vs Big Sur: security and privacy
Apple has made security and privacy a priority in recent versions of macOS, and Big Sur is no different. Comparing it with Mojave, much has improved, including:
- Apps must ask permission to access your Desktop and Documents folders, and iCloud Drive and external volumes.
- If an app tries to log keystrokes, take a screenshot or record your screen, macOS will tell you.
- Activation Lock means that only you can erase and reactivate your Mac.
- You can authenticate unlocking locked notes, accessing Safari passwords, and allow to install apps using an Apple Watch.
- The App Store now provides a privacy report for every app, showing you how that app uses your data.
Mojave vs macOS Big Sur: Accessibility
One of the big improvements in Catalina over Mojave was Voice Control. It allows you to navigate your Mac using just your voice. You can interact with apps using numbered labels next to clickable items. You can also superimpose a grid over the screen to allow you to click, drag, and select items using your voice. Dictation has also been improved.
Another new accessibility feature in Catalina was the ability to zoom in on one screen while keeping another screen, in a two-screen setup, at 100%. And you can now hover over text to view a window with that text at a larger size, making it easier to see.
Big Sur vs Mojave: Finder
Upgrading From Mojave To Big Sur Weather
Thanks to the demise of iTunes, when you plug an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad into a Mac running Catalina or Big Sur, it now appears in the Finder. From there you can update its software, back it up, or restore it.
And there’s a new gallery view in Finder for viewing images. You can also now markup images, rotate them, or convert them to PDF from the Finder.
iCloud Drive also now allows you to share folders using a private link and it works better with third-party cloud storage services.
The biggest changes in the Finder, though, arrived in Big Sur. Corners on Finder windows are more noticeably curved, toolbars and title bars are flat dark or white, and sidebars run the full height of the window. These interface changes also appear in built-in apps like Photos and Mail. The Dock has also been re-designed with uniform icons and more rounded corners. Icons also have enhanced shading and more prominent shadows. Symbols in the toolbar of Finder windows, as well as elsewhere in Big Sur are taken from one library, giving them a more uniform look.
Control Center makes its first appearance on the Mac in Big Sur. It allows you to control things like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, display brightness and AirDrop, just like on iOS. And you can drag your favorite controls onto the menu bar.
Notification Center has been overhauled. Gone are the separate tabs for Today widgets and Notifications. They are all together in a single view. Some notifications are now interactive so when it alerts you that a new episode of your favorite podcast has arrived, you can play it from within Notification Center. And talking of widgets, the Weather widget now incorporates some features Apple inherited when it bought Dark Sky. In the US it displays a minute-by-minute chart showing rainfall or snow intensity. And in the US, Europe, Japan, Canada, and Australia, it displays government weather alerts.
Mojave v macOS Big Sur: other changes
As we said earlier, if you're still running 32-bit apps, you’ll notice that Big Sur won’t run them, Mojave was the last version of macOS to do that. So you’ll have to find alternatives. Spotlight is faster and more powerful and now allows you to use Quick Look on Spotlight results. And system sounds have been updated to be more pleasing on the ear.
How to prepare your Mac for Big Sur
First, you need to keep in mind that macOS Big Sur needs 15-20 GB of free space for the system itself. And probably, you’ll need more than that as macOS will be downloading updates and various patches.
So, once again, we recommend that you rid your system of all the old garbage. Especially, if they are caches, outdated plug-ins, broken downloads that waste space.
CleanMyMac X is an Apple-notarized tool that will collect all this invisible garbage. For example, it finds all the unused .DMG installers scattered around your drive. And that’s just one category of clutter.
Download the free edition of this app here.
Realistically, you’ll be able to win back 4-10 gigabytes for your next Big Sur macOS.
If you want more control over the files you remove, you can use some of the other modules available in CleanMyMac X. For example, System Junk allows you to remove system files that are not needed but which take up space on your hard drive. And Mail Attachments allows you to focus on removing attachments to messages. If you want an overview of the files that are taking up most space on your Mac, use the Space Lens tool.
To boost the performance of your Mac, use the Optimization tool of CleanMyMac X.
As we’ve seen, there are many differences between macOS Big Sur and Mojave and if your Mac is capable of upgrading, it’s well worth it. Who would refuse a new set emojis in Messages?