This fall Apple released the 15th major version of macOS called Sequoia as well as iOS 18, and watchOS 11, and tvOS 18. From initial testing the releases add a lot of great features and maintain compatibility with the majority of apps. All new Macintosh computers will ship with Sequoia. It is impractical to try and move to an older version of the macOS on any of these machines just to maintain compatibility with older software.
One of the coolest features of Sequoia is the iPhone Mirroring app that makes it possible for us to easily provide remote iPhone support via screen sharing on your Macintosh.
Claris FileMaker and Sequoia Compatibility
We know that FileMaker will be compatible with the new Sequoia operating system, but not necessarily fully on the day of its release. Generally, Claris can take a few weeks after a macOS release to test and optimize the new release with FileMaker. The Claris Backlog shows “Support latest Apple operating systems – in progress”.
For compatibility with the latest OS, we already recommend you use the latest version of Claris FileMaker. There are few guarantees with any version prior to that. Sequoia didn’t exist when they developed that software so there is no way they could ensure compatibility. In general, you want your OS to be the oldest software on your computer.
To prevent any disruption to your solutions, we recommend that you wait a while to upgrade. Stay on your current macOS until you hear official word that your version of FileMaker will work on macOS Sequoia.
Initially, we have found that the latest version of Claris FileMaker 21.0.2.200 (7-12-2024) opens and functions to open an app solution on Sequoia. However, there are other versions of Claris FileMaker like Server, WebDirect, and FileMaker Go that may be more sensitive to the OS updates.
A minor glitch we have observed occurs when using the on-screen color picker eyedropper tool. A new macOS security dialog will appear that at present needs to be approved every month.
Here’s Claris’ official FileMaker Pro System Requirements and Compatibility chart.
Device Management
If you are in charge of the Macs, iPads, or iPhones in your organization and you aren’t yet centrally managing those devices, it is possible that your users may just innocently “click the button” when presented with an OS upgrade. Most users don’t understand the unintended ramifications, and likely won’t be considering if mission-critical applications are ready for or compatible with the new OS. Here at LuminFire, our BrilliantMDM service can prevent this mishap through centrally-controlled device management, which includes hiding the “upgrade” button altogether. This level of protection supports your organization with an orderly deployment, meaning less user downtime and fewer issues for you to clean up.
Some General OS Upgrade Guidelines
- Make sure your computer is fully backed up before any OS upgrade. Check out our BrilliantBackup article for tips.
- Mission-critical computers such as servers or workstations used in the production of goods should delay upgrading until at least the first (or even second) minor update of any new operating system. Research the mission-critical applications you use to confirm that they are reported to be working without issue in Sequoia.
- For regular workstations, it’s good to wait until the first point (.) release of a new OS to be sure any major bugs are worked out. If you depend on any plugins or companion apps it is also advisable to wait until you are sure they are fully compatible.
- Adventurous users can upgrade right away. Those who upgrade early should be prepared to do some potential extra troubleshooting, expecting that some applications you use today may not work fully until they have updated specifically for Sequoia. Be aware that going back to a previous version of the macOS isn’t necessarily easy and may require a time-consuming rebuild of your computer.
If you’d like assistance with your upgrades, as a certified member of the Apple Consultants Network (ACN), LuminFire can help.
Tim Cimbura – CEO, CFO and Software Engineer
Tim is an expert in creating custom business solutions that make businesses more effective, productive, and profitable. He specializes in rapid application development with the Claris platform including FileMaker and WordPress. He also knows Apple macOS technology inside and out.