iOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate are still a few months away, but there are a few simple steps you can take now to avoid problems later and make the most of the update when it arrives.

Why it’s worth preparing early

Most problems people run into with Apple updates are not caused by the update itself.

They tend to come from rushed installs, storage issues, or apps that don’t behave the way people expect. By doing a bit of preparation now, you can avoid all of that and make the process far more straightforward when the updates arrive later in the year.

Start with your backups

Before anything else, it’s worth checking that your backups are actually working properly.

A lot of people assume they are covered, but it’s only when something goes wrong that they realise a backup hasn’t run in weeks. Taking a moment now to confirm your iPhone is backing up to iCloud and your Mac has a current Time Machine backup gives you a safe fallback if needed.

If you rely on your devices for work, it’s worth going a step further and having both cloud and local backups in place.

Take a look at the apps you rely on

Think about the apps you use every day, especially anything you depend on for business or client work.

This is a good opportunity to clean house a little. If something hasn’t been updated in a long time or you’re no longer using it, it’s better to deal with that now rather than after an update when something stops working.

For business users in particular, just knowing your key apps are supported avoids a lot of unnecessary stress later.

Free up space before you need to

Storage is one of the most common causes of slow updates and poor performance afterwards.

Rather than trying to fix that at the last minute, it makes sense to tidy things up now. Remove apps you don’t use, clear out large downloads, and take a look at your Photos library if it’s getting out of hand.

You’ll notice the difference straight away, even before the update arrives.

Get things organised while it’s quiet

With the changes coming in iOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate, Apple is clearly pushing towards simpler, more integrated workflows.

That makes this a good time to clean up how you’re using your devices. Organising files, tidying up your photo library, or simplifying how you share things with clients can make a noticeable difference.

You don’t need to overhaul everything. Just making a few small improvements now will make the new features easier to use later.

Check your accounts and access

It also helps to make sure everything you rely on is working as expected before you introduce any changes.

That means logging into your Apple ID, checking email accounts are syncing properly, and making sure passwords are accessible. It’s a simple step, but it removes a lot of potential friction after updating.

Think about timing now

Even though the update is still a while away, it’s worth thinking about when you’ll actually install it.

For most home users, updating soon after release is usually fine. For business users, it’s a bit different. You’ll want to avoid busy periods and allow time to test that everything you rely on is working properly.

Planning this now means you won’t feel pressured to update immediately when the release drops.

Keep your setup simple

One of the quieter benefits of recent Apple updates is that more can be done using built-in apps.

As you prepare, it’s worth asking whether you still need all the extra tools you’ve picked up over time. Simplifying your setup generally leads to fewer issues and a smoother experience overall.

You don’t need to wait until the update is released to get ready for it.

A bit of preparation now makes the whole process easier and helps make sure your iPhone or Mac feels better after the update, not worse.

If you’d like a hand reviewing your setup or making sure everything is ready ahead of time, Your Mac Tech can help you get everything sorted so the update is as smooth as possible.