As you might have already heard, Apple is going to release its 14th major version of macOS called Sonoma on September 26, 2023. Here’s an overview of the new features.
Claris FileMaker and Sonoma Compatibility
We know that FileMaker will be compatible with the new operating system, but not necessarily on the day of its release. Generally, Claris can take a few weeks after a macOS release to fully test and optimize the new release with FileMaker.
To prevent disruption to your solution, we recommend that you wait to upgrade. Stay on your current macOS until you hear official word that your version of FileMaker will work on macOS Sonoma. It’s likely that your solution will require updating to the latest revision of FileMaker 19.x or FileMaker 2023 to be fully compatible.
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.
iOS17 and FileMaker Go
Yesterday iOS 17 was released, which could potentially affect FileMaker Go. Be cautious with this release if you rely heavily on FileMaker Go on your iPhone or iPad. We recommend testing the upgrade on a single device before deploying to all your mobile devices.
Some General Upgrade Guidelines
- Make sure your computer is fully backed up before any 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 Sonoma.
- 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 Sonoma. 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 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.