Mac Updates | Tahoe or Wait

[Jody A]

Updating my Mac.  I am running Sonoma but having issues with that latest install.  My Creative Cloud isn't connecting.   Should I try to update to Tahoe or wait? 

 

[Brian]

Chances are, you will likely have to upgrade to Tahoe and then upgrade your PS CC subscription, because you are already at the latest version of Sonoma. That said, you might want to try fixing your Creative Cloud Mothership App first. Have you seen this help page from Adobe: Fix connection errors when signing in or activating Adobe apps. 

The tough part is, upgrading isn't always the best thing to do. I know Adobe is pushing out updates faster than they ever have, and the FOMO is strong; the downside is, if you have sessions to edit and files to deliver, you might want to hold off. Upgrade when things are dead and you don't have anything going on, like in January / February if you are in the Northern Hemisphere. Fall / Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere is usually "Busy Time" with all of the "Fall Minis!!! Love-Love-Love my Clients!!" "Take photos sitting on a Hay Bale or on a Tractor!!!" "Reserve for spot today, slots are going FAST!" Contact Giggles & Cutey Pumpkins Photography for more info!!   

Upgrading the OS especially from version 14.xx to version 15.xx can be risky, especially if you have other problems going on that need attention. For example, WHY is the Adobe Mothership App not connecting? How full are ALL of your Hard Drives, internal AND external? How much CRAP do you have on your Mac Desktop? Are you running stupid Anti-Virus or Firewall software that might be getting in the way? Have you purchased / installed CleanMyMac from MacPaw and cleaned stuff out? Do you have a Time Machine Backup or Backups at all? Can you withstand having to do a full recovery because the OS Upgrade went sideways because your Mac was messed up to begin with, and now you have to start from scratch all over again. Do you have a record of all the License Keys for various software Apps & Plug-ins? Photoshop Actions & Brushes Backed Up? 

I'm pretty conservative about updating blindly. You want to stay current enough, but notsomuch be a company's "Guinea Pig." I let the early adopters dork around with things and will often wait until the "xx.1" version comes out. Just think, Apple just released iOS 26 for the new iPhone 17 phones, and guess what? They had to pull the update and then fix a few things, then release iOS 26 again. In fact, iOS 26.0.1 should be out this week!!

So as you can see, it's not just a simple yes-or-no answer. I would personally hold off and figure out why your Mothership App isn't working, and you might have to contact Adobe on this one. It could be as simple as removing the Mothership App and re-installing it. Or granting Permissions to the program that aren't turned on, preventing access.