macOS 15 Sequoia Release Information

Sequoia Release Information

Apple's most recent operating system, macOS 15 Sequoia, comes pre-installed on new Macs and is available as an upgrade for compatible Macs. For a full listing of new features, please visit the official macOS Sequoia information page.

OIT's Recommendation: Upgrade to macOS 15 Sequoia

As is often the case when new operating systems are first released, there are incompatibilities with a number of widely used applications for campus Mac users. At this time, OIT has completed testing compatibility with CU Boulder services and applications and recommends faculty, staff, and students upgrade Apple devices to macOS 15 Sequoia when convenient.

OIT recommends that before upgrading to any new operating system, ensure your most used applications are compatible by checking the compatibility testing information below, or by contacting the vendor directly.

How to upgrade

If you are a Dedicated Desktop Support customer or are a part of Secure Computing on CU Boulder’s campus, make sure your computer is backed up to OneDrive to ensure your data is saved and protected, then make sure it’s plugged into a power source. Next, open up System Settings, select General settings, and then Software Update and follow the prompts to download and install the upgrade. If you are unable to see the upgrade or are having issues, you can also open the Self Service application and search macOS 15 Sequoia to download the upgrade directly. 

If you’re not a part of DDS or Secure Computing, you can upgrade your operating system directly from the System Settings of your Mac. Follow Apple’s instructions for upgrading your device.

Once you start the upgrade, your machine will begin downloading and attempt to install the upgrade. Prompts will show you the progress of the upgrade and any errors if they occur. Once the install begins you will be unable to use your computer until it completes, which should take approximately 30-90 minutes, depending on your internet connection.

If you run into problems that cannot be resolved, you may need to revert to an earlier version of macOS, which entails backing up your files and doing a fresh install. 

For assistance upgrading, please schedule an appointment to bring your computer to the OIT Buff Techs Walk-In Center, contact Dedicated Desktop Support, or contact the IT Service Center at 303-735-4357 or oithelp@colorado.edu.

Known Compatibility Issues 

Compatibility with CU Boulder Wi-Fi Networks

When you update, please be aware that a new network feature in macOS 15 Sequoia and iOS 18 called Private Wi-Fi Address could cause issues when using campus wireless networks. The same is true if you update your iPad, iWatch or VisionPro.

• If you choose to update to macOS 15, you will likely be required to re-register on UCB Wireless. After upgrading, we strongly recommend setting the Private Wi-Fi Address to "off" for the UCB Wireless, UCB Guest, and eduroam networks to avoid frequent registration prompts and connectivity issues. Visit our tutorial for step-by-step instructions for how to turn off the Private Wi-Fi Address setting on a Mac.
   
• On iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, if you had Private Wi-Fi Address turned on in the past, the update may require you to re-register; we still recommend turning this setting to "off." If you had Private Wi-Fi Address turned off before updating on iOS, the setting should remain off post-update and you should not need to take further action.  Visit our tutorial for step-by-step instructions for how to turn off the Private Wi-Fi address setting on iPhone and iPad.

Because this is a per-network setting, OIT's recommendations are only for CU Boulder networks. For all campus Wi-Fi users with an IdentiKey, we continue to recommend that you connect to UCB Wireless rather than UCB Guest. As OIT investigates the network performance impacts of macOS 15 Sequoia, OIT also recommends that eduroam users turn off Private Wi-Fi Address at this time for better stability. Visit Apple's website for more information about Private Wi-Fi addresses.

Compatibility Issues & Testing

If additional compatibility issues with campus services and supported software arise, we will report the results on this page. Before you upgrade to Sequoia, check this page to ensure compatibility with software, services, and systems you use the most.