Upgrading Your Mac to Big Sur Operating System
If you have a University-issued Mac computer, check with software vendors to ensure that other software titles you need are compatible with Big Sur.
Some known Big Sur software incompatibility issues include:
- Pearson
- Endnote
- Avid
- Sophos Anti-Virus
- Sibelius
- Cisco VPN (popup screens notifying of changes)
- Office 2016 is no longer supported but will continue to function
- Some Adobe app (e.g. Bridge) will continuously crash
If you choose to upgrade to Big Sur, there are precautions you must take BEFORE upgrading:
- Reboot your computer prior to beginning any upgrade process:
- To resolve potential password issues before the upgrade.
- If you cannot log in after rebooting, try logging in with your previous password. If you can log in, you may be prompted to log in again. Try this with your new password.
- If neither of the above work, please contact the Help Desk, and do not perform the upgrade until the password issue is resolved.
- To ensure that minimal programs are running in the background.
- To resolve potential password issues before the upgrade.
- Back up your hard drive (all files, documents, etc.).
- Severe or catastrophic data loss could occur following an operating system upgrade. If this happens and you do not have a backup of your files/data, we can attempt a recovery. This will take several days and may or may not be successful.
- Backing up data or transferring it to Google Drive is the only way to ensure that data will not be lost in the process.
- Make sure your computer is plugged in and charging BEFORE starting the upgrade.
- Allow plenty of time for the upgrade to complete; you will not be able to use your computer while the upgrade is in process which could take several hours.
After upgrading to Big Sur
Many programs will generate popups requesting access to the Security & Privacy group (e.g. Google File Stream, Bomgar, MirrorOp). They will prompt for authorization. To continue using those apps, please follow the on-screen directions.
WIPS is not compatible with Big Sur; use MirrorOp instead. See Present from MirrorOp on laptops for specifics.
If you've never launched MirrorOp before, after the Big Sur upgrade you will see this message appear. Click on Open System Preferences and skip to Step 2 (listed below).
If you have previously launched MirrorOp, when connecting to a flat panel or projector for the first time after the Big Sur upgrade you may encounter a black screen. To fix this, please take the following steps:
- Open your System Preferences.
- Click Security and Privacy and then Privacy.
- Under Enable Location Services and to the right of System Services, click Details.
- On the menu to the left, scroll down to select Screen Recording.
- Click the padlock icon for an Administrator login (if prompted, use your UIndy username and password).
- Check the box next to MirrorOp.
- A warning message will appear. Click Quit Now.
- Launch MirrorOp again to begin wireless presentation.