macOS Sierra Starts Automatic Downloads, Not Automatic Install

No, there's no need to sharpen those pitchforks or light up the torches. While it may sound like Apple is doing a Microsoft, it's really only doing a half. Apparently, starting this week, Apple will automatically download macOS 10.12, a.k.a. Sierra, on compatible Macs and MacBooks. While it might indeed feel like Apple is aggressively pushing Sierra out to more users, it is steering clear from the PR mess that was Windows 10. In other words, Apple is, at least, not installing the new macOS version automatically.

So while macOS Sierra might indeed download behind your back, it's not really as bad as it sounds. That's because auto-download of updates has long been a known feature, both on macOS and iOS. You need to have that enabled, in which case you should already be expecting it. Also, the download won't happen anyway if your hardware doesn't meet the requirements, including available disk space.

If and when the download does happen, users will still be prompted to install the updates. It is a far cry from Microsoft's enforced Window 10 download and installation, not to mention nagware, which has led to many suddenly broken setups and bloopers.

While it is less of a fail compared to the Windows 10 update, users who might have forgotten setting the auto-update feature might be a bit baffled by the sudden crawl in Internet speeds and disappearing gigabytes of storage.

As to what you're getting with the new macOS, formerly OS X, version, the highlight is, undoubtedly, Siri's arrival on the desktop. That is joined by much-awaited features like Universal Clipboard between iOS and macOS devices, iCloud Desktop and Documents, and unlocking Macs using an Apple Watch.

VIA: Loop Insight