Oct 12, 2019 Apple’s latest Mac update, macOS Catalina, was released earlier this week, and with it came a flurry of complications both minor and major. For one, this update is the first for Apple to drop 32. The most recent version of Apple’s MacOS — known as Catalina — is having a major impact on those who upgraded without understanding that their older 32-bit programs would no longer run. MacOS 10.14 Mojave, the version of the Mac operating system before the new macOS Catalina, is the last version that supports 32-bit software.With Catalina, only 64-bit software will be supported.
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With its enhancements and limitations, the new macOS 10.15 is inescapable. The official release is planned for September 2019, but Apple savvy users have tested Catalina long before — with the macOS 10.15 beta. If you’re not one of them, you might want to check the best assets of the new macOS here.
Catalina comes with extended workspace, no iTunes, and 64-bit app architecture. According to early user reports, the beta feels faster and more stable than the previous ones.
It’s not all rosy, though. By switching to 64-bit apps, macOS Catalina stops supporting the apps with 32-bit architecture. For you, this means no access to over 200 popular applications.
The bundle of incompatible apps have been discovered by iOS developer, Steve Moser, when he was testing the developer beta of Catalina. Once you upgrade, you can find the full list in Library/Apple/Library/Bundles.
We’ve collected the major Adobe, Apple, and Microsoft programs you’ll have issues with in macOS Catalina. No need to panic just yet — there are ways to fix this.
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Which Mac apps will stop working
The problem of Catalina incompatibility is not only about third-party apps. Apple is not 100% prepared too. For people working with multimedia projects, it’s important to know which Adobe software won’t be working after the update. So take a deep breath, and see what’s going away.
Apple apps not working in Catalina
- iWork’09, an old version of Apple’s office suite that includes Pages, Keynote, and Numbers. Apple released the newer bundle with 64-bit apps in 2013 — so an update will fix the problem here. Alternatively, you can get more advanced substitutes like Ulysses for writing and markdown.
- Final Cut Studio and Logic Studio. You can upgrade to Final Cut Pro X and Logic Pro X instead.
- Apple’s DVD Player (older versions released before macOS Mojave).
- Aperture. The app won’t work in Catalina, even though it’s 64-bit. Apple recommends to switch to Photos or Adobe Lightroom. If you need a pro-level editor for a moderate price, you might want to try CameraBag Pro.
Microsoft apps not working in Catalina
- The 2011 version of Microsoft Office (Word 2011, Excel 2011, PowerPoint 2011, Outlook 2011). To continue using the apps, get the 2016 version of Microsoft Office. Or, you can switch to Apple’s iWork, Ulysses, or other Mac alternatives.
Adobe apps not working in Catalina
Since Adobe moved to a subscription model called Creative Cloud, there has been lots of shared components introduced across Adobe products. For instance, if you buy a subscription, you may get a 64-bit application with a 32-bit installer. This won’t work in Catalina. Adobe says they are working on updating shared components for macOS 10.15. In the meantime, be aware of the incompatible apps:
Though, finding the perfect video editor tool is already a job half-done. If you have the right editor, then you can certainly end up saving your time and efforts. Just like you, a lot of other people out there use their Mac to edit videos of different kinds. Best video editing software mac 2014 download. To make things easier for you, I have handpicked some of the best Mac video editors out there and have also compared them in this guide.
- Photoshop. There have been issues with the 2018 version of Photoshop in macOS Mojave, so you may expect the trouble in Catalina as well. If you want to use the app, Adobe recommends to get Photoshop CC 2019.
- Premiere Pro. The app is 64-bit, but there have been reported issues related to camera and microphone access in macOS 10.15.
- Illustrator. The CS5 version won’t be supported in Catalina, but you may switch to CS6.
- InDesign. To this one, you have to say goodbye. At least, for now. The latest CS6 version hasn’t been updated to 64-bit architecture yet.
- Acrobat Pro. The recent version of the app, as well as Acrobat DC and Acrobat Reader DC, have 32-bit components. So it’s a no, for now.
Most Adobe apps — even those with 64-bit architecture — are known for Dark Mode issues. So if you continue using the apps in Catalina, be careful with the darkness.
As a safe alternative, get CameraBag Pro or Capto. They work equally well for professional designers and amateurs. Both are available on Setapp, a subscription package that, by the way, offers many more photo editing tools — just ask for it.
How to check if an app is compatible with Catalina
We’ve talked a lot about outdated app architecture, so the first thing you’ll want to check when upgrading is whether your app is 32-bit. Here’s an easy way to do it on Mac:
- Click on the Apple logo in the upper left corner.
- Select About This Mac > System Report.
- Navigate to Applications under the Software tab.
- Find your app on the list and check whether it says “Yes” in the 64-bit column. In macOS Catalina, there will be no such column. So, you’ll have to click on the app and see a short description that says “Kind: 64-bit.”
We also recommend to pay attention to the “Obtained from” field. Ideally, it should say Apple, Mac App Store, or Identified Developer. Avoid using apps that are specified as “Obtained from Unknown,” while these are most likely to misbehave.
If you want to uninstall 32-bit applications before upgrading, CleanMyMac X will swipe everything away for you. Open the app and go to Uninstaller. Filter your apps by 32-bit and click Uninstall. Instead of checking System Report every time, you can find and remove every outdated application in a few seconds.
If your app doesn’t work in macOS 10.15
The problem with 64-bit architecture is that many developers choose not to optimize their 32-bit applications for Mac with the release of Catalina. If that’s the case and you can’t find an alternative for the missing app, you might need to downgrade back to Mojave. Luckily, there’s a way to fix most problems with apps not working in Catalina:
- Check whether a developer has a 64-bit update for your app.
- Look for an alternative app compatible with macOS 10.15. For instance, most of the Adobe apps for photo and video editing can be replaced with Capto or CameraBag Pro.
- Roll back to Mojave and continue using 32-bit apps. You should note, though, that Apple may stop the support for Mojave by 2020, which means it will stop supporting 32-bit architecture sooner or later.
While many developers continue working on Catalina compatibility, there will be further changes to the list. For questions and quick insights, follow the MacRumors discussion on Catalina apps.
Do you have an older model 2009 Mac Pro (pre-Trash Can Mac Pro) that could use a makeover? Updating your firmware could give you added benefits such as the ability to install faster processors, faster memory, and newer macOS versions. We show you how!
Some words of caution
Getting added benefits is great. Bricking your Mac Pro is not. Note that upgrading your firmware could result in a dead system if performed incorrectly. If you absolutely cannot have a non-working Mac Pro, then do not perform this upgrade.
If you Mac Pro was installed to boot into 32-bit mode for 32-bit drivers for some hardware then this will make that hardware unusable as it defaults into 64-bit mode.
Secondly, the firmware upgrade performed in these steps are specifically for a 2009 Mac Pro. Although some have reported success with upgrading firmware on the 2007-2008 Mac Pros, we did not test this and cannot state for certain that these steps will function for you.
Checking your firmware revision
This firmware upgrade for all intents and purposes makes your 2009 Mac Pro into a 2010 Mac Pro. Before getting started, you'll want to see if you are already at the latest firmware revision possible for your Mac.
- On your macOS desktop click .
- Select About This Mac.
- Click System Report….
What should appear is a report with a 'Hardware Overview' of your Mac Pro. Look for the Model Identifier entry. If it says 'MacPro5,1' the no upgrade is to be done. If it says, 'MacPro4,1' then an upgrade is applicable.
Pre-upgrade
Before performing the upgrade, make certain that you do not have any unnecessarily attached USB devices plugged in. Attached peripherals can sometimes cause compatibility issues.
Similarly, make certain that your original Mac hardware (or at least officially Apple supported hardware) is what is running inside the computer. Again, non Apple sanctioned hardware can cause compatibility issues. Default app change in mac.
Upgrading your firmware
The overview of upgrading your firmware is to download the Firmware utility, download the firmware, run the upgrade, and finally check that it all worked out.
- Navigate to the Netkas Forums and download the MacPro2009-2010FirwareTool.zip file.
- Navigate to Apple's support site and download the Mac Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.5.
- Move the downloaded MacProEFIUpdate.dmg to your Desktop.
- Double-click the MacProEFIUpdate.dmg and leave the package open on the desktop. Do not double click the *.pkg file.
- Double-click the Mac Pro 2009-2010 Firmware Tool.
- Click Open.
- Read the instructions presented before continuing.
- Click Upgrade to 2010 Firmware.
- Enter your Password if prompted.
- Read the instructions.
- Press OK.
- On your desktop click .
- Select Shut Down.
- Press and hold the power button on your Mac Pro until the power indicator flashes, or you hear a long tone, then release the power button and wait.
The update can take some time but do not unplug, shutdown, restart or disturb you mac Pro while the update takes place.
The machine should display a grey screen with the Apple logo while it updates. It will automatically reboot to the login screen when completed.
Check that the upgrade worked
Once the machine is rebooted and you have logged in check the following:
- On your macOS desktop click .
- Select About This Mac.
- Click System Report….
The same system report you looked at earlier should now appear. Look for the Model Identifier entry. If it says 'MacPro5,1' the upgrade completed successfully!
Final comments
32 Or 64 Bit Mac
Now with your newly updated Mac Pro, you can go forth and peruse the sea of used Westmere Xeon CPUs on eBay for procurement, or install the latest macOS High Sierra. You've just added new life into your old Mac Pro! Have you upgraded your firmware on your Mac Pro? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments!
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Installing 32 Bit On 64 Bit
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