How to Upgrade Mac OS X to Lion

Should you upgrade Mac OS X to Lion? We have been lucky enough to have been using OS X Lion, as it is now known, since the early developer previews were released.

From the very beginning we have been impressed. OK, we accept that their have been a few teething troubles. But Apple have already released three updates resulting in version 10.7.3 being the latest version.

Each update has removed more of the little niggles, and the most recent, released on the 12 October 2011 has bought us iCloud.

So do we think that you should upgrade! Yes, we do, the improvements and the added functionality make putting up with slight issues worth it.

Once you have decided to upgrade, you might be wondering how to actually go about doing it. You might have Snow Leopard, or an even older version of Mac OS X, installed and have heard that OS X Lion is only available for download via the Mac App Store.

You have probably also heard that it is no longer available on DVD!

OS X Lion Desktop

Well, the answer to both questions is yes, Apple has decided to make OS X Lion only available as a digital download via the Mac App Store. The only concession is that you can buy it on a memory stick via the Apple Store.

This article explains how to upgrade Mac OS X to the new version named OS X Lion. It will cover the necessary steps required to upgrade Mac OS X.

How do you Upgrade Mac OS X to Lion?

Apples own website describes the upgrade process as three basic steps;

• Make sure that your Mac can run OS X Lion
• Make sure that you have the latest version of Snow Leopard installed
• Download OS X Lion from the Mac App Store

We will take a look at each of the above steps, and include a bit more detail to help your upgrade experience to be trouble free! We will also add in a few steps that ensure that you get an install DVD along the way, just in case you need it in the future.

Step 1: Make Sure that your Mac can run Mac OS X Lion

In order to run OS X Lion on your Mac you need to have an Intel based Mac computer with one of the following Intel processors;

• Intel Core 2 Duo
• Intel Core i3
• intel Core i5
• Intel Core i7
• Intel Xeon

Luckily this covers most of the recent Macs. A word of warning though the early Mac minis, although Intel based, had Core Duo processors which don't count I'm afraid.

Step 2: Update to the latest version of Mac OS X Snow Leopard

In order to upgrade Mac OS X to OS X Lion you need to have Mac OS X Snow Leopard already installed on your Mac, with access to the Mac App Store, requiring that you have Snow Leopard version 10.6.8, or newer.

Steps 1 and 2 above can both be checked by looking at the "About This Mac" page. To view it click on the black apple in the top left-hand corner of the desktop which will display the Apple menu as shown below.

Now click on the first option, "About This Mac", you will see a window displayed which is similar to the one shown below. You can then see what Intel processor your Mac has, and what version of Mac OS X is running.

Step 3: Make sure that You have backed up your Important Data

When you upgrade Mac OS X you are going through a complex process that overwrites your existing Snow Leopard installation. Like any software task there is always a small possibility that something could go wrong.

The worst case scenario would be that your hard disk ended up being corrupted resulting in loss of data. I don't for a minute think that this will happen but you must be prepared for all eventualities!

So protect yourself and backup your data. The easiest way to achieve this is by using Time Machine, alongside an external hard disk or a Time Capsule.

Step 4: Download OS X Lion from the Mac App Store

So, now you are finally ready for the big moment. The waiting is over and you can now upgrade Mac OS X.

The next step involves running the Mac App Store application, and purchasing OS X Lion. This is not a difficult task. The App Store icon should be in your Dock, unless you have removed it, in which case it will be in your applications folder.

Click on the icon and the App Store will start presenting you with a window similar to the one shown below.

The Mac App Store

If you look at the screenshot above you can see that OS X Lion is listed in several places, including the Quick Links and Top Paid sections on the right, and as an icon in the bottom left.

Click on one and you will see the OS X Lion page shown below.

OS X Lion in the Mac App Store

If you click on the buy button you will be asked to enter your Apple ID password and thats it. OS X Lion will be downloaded, with the installer appearing in your Applications folder, as shown below, the first icon top left.

OS X Lion Installer Icon

When the download completes the OS X Lion installer will automatically start asking you to click 'Continue' to continue with the installation. Don't click it yet. When the install completes you will find that the installer will disappear from the Applications folder.

Instead, copy it to another folder, which will allow you to create an install DVD, later, for future use.

Step 5: Install OS X Lion on Your Mac

You should be able to see a window like the one shown below. If not you probably closed it before copying the installer. Simply double click the installer icon in the Applications folder.

OS X Lion Installer

Now you can go ahead and click the 'Continue' button, or click on the icon in the Applications folder if you clicked 'Cancel'.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of OS X Lion on your Mac. Don't be alarmed if your computer reboots during the installation it is a necessary part of the process.

Hopefully, you now have the new OS X Lion desktop in front of you, and it is time to start installing any software that you have previously used.

Step 6: Software Compatibility with OS X Lion

I suspect that like me you will have several popular applications. Some will have been purchased from the Mac App Store, and others will have been purchased direct from a website.

Before you upgrade Mac OS X to Lion it is worth checking the developers website to ensure that they have, or will be, releasing an update for OS X Lion.

By now I suspect that many of the best applications will have caught up and be compatible with OS X Lion, but it is worth checking.