Take Control of Ventura

Version 1.2, updated May 11, 2023

macOS 13 Ventura brings important new usability, security, and convenience features to your Mac. Learn how to upgrade your Mac from an earlier version of macOS, find your way around the new system, and make use of the interesting new capabilities such as Stage Manager, Passkeys, and even a way to use your iPhone as a webcam.

macOS 13 Ventura may look a lot like its predecessor, macOS 12 Monterey, but it packs a lot of useful new features (along with some potentially confusing user interface choices). Joe Kissell once again provides a complete guide to the upgrade process, as well as an in-depth look at what's new.

While Stage Manager provides yet another way to manage your windows, apps like Mail and Messages finally offer solutions to longstanding irritations, Continuity Camera learns some fancy new tricks, and macOS offers even more options to manage your privacy and security. Take Control of Ventura walks you through all these changes.

This book teaches you things like:

• How to tell whether your Mac is compatible with Ventura

• Steps you should take before upgrading

• How to perform an in-place upgrade—or do a clean install and migrate your old data from a backup

• Adapting to the sometimes-confusing new System Settings app, which replaces System Preferences

• Managing windows and apps with Stage Manager

• New Mail features—undo sending a message, schedule a message, follow up on messages awaiting replies, and more

• Editing or unsending messages in the Messages app

• Using new Safari 16 features, such as shared tab groups and editable suggested passwords

• Understanding passkeys, which promise to replace passwords in many places—eventually

• How to share a Photos library with family and friends

• Using Continuity Camera to turn your iPhone into a webcam

• Small but interesting changes throughout macOS, such as accessibility improvements, new features in Focus and Dictation, and expanded Live Text capabilities

• How to use the brand-new Weather app

• Improvements to bundled apps, including FaceTime, Maps, Notes, Reminders, and more