Updating MacPractice
- Dylan Nigh
- Jes
Updating MacPractice will ensure you receive the most recent version and build of our software. This helps because you'll have new features and any software fixes are included in the newest builds. Updating does not cost anything; however, you do need to take into consideration all of the variables that affect your system prior to updating.
Considerations
What Build or Version Should I Update To?
We always recommend staying on and updating to the most current released build available to your office. In most situations, you'll be either prompted to update by the software itself when logging in, or you can manually check for updates via the Update MacPractice function in the MacPractice Software.
MacPractice automatically releases minor updates to your office. For example, if you already are on 10.7.18, we may release 10.7.19 for performance enhancements and fixes to issues when it is available.
However, our available builds are dependent upon the Mac Operating System version, as a mismatch can cause the software to not perform as expected. For example, attempting to run Build 11.17 of MacPractice on macOS Big Sur would cause issues, while our Gen 13 builds of MacPractice are inherently compatible with macOS Big Sur.
If you need to replace your office computers or update the OS on your computers, you may need to contact MacPractice Support so we can ensure that the most appropriate build of MacPractice is made available to your office.
To check the build you have currently, you can select "About MacPractice" from the MacPractice Menu in the top left.
Software and Hardware Requirements
If you are considering getting new computers, please check the System Requirements page for full details about which computers would be compatible with each generation of MacPractice.
If you need to check which builds match with your computer's OS that you have available, please check out MacPractice OS Compatibility Chart.
You will also need to check compatibility for any other office hardware or software that you may have.
This is especially important for our users of the Digital Radiography ability, as DR devices such as those provided by Planmeca often have their own drivers that are compatible with specific MacOS versions. Please contact your vendors of your hardware to confirm that they meet any OS requirements prior to arranging an update.
How Do I Get an Update released to my Office?
Some updates are automatically released. Any update with new OS or hardware requirements will be released upon request.
Let MacPractice Support know you'd like the update by either calling our Support Line at (877) 220-8418, or by emailing updates@macpractice.com. You can also click the bubble in the MacPractice software in the lower right corner to either create a Support ticket, or talk to our Chat Support Team.
You'll be sent an email with information about the update. Once you verify that your office computers meet these requirements described in this email, we will release the appropriate build of MacPractice to your office.
Updating from some builds requires an additional step.
Updating past Build 7.3 will require you to run the Accounting Migration Report in 7.3 first.
If you are updating from Build 7.3 to one of our most modern builds, you'll need to update to 12.5 first prior to proceeding to your end destination build.
If you are updating from a build of 4.4 or below, please contact MacPractice Support for information and assistance.
Planning When to Update
Updates may take some time. All staff members will be unable to use the software during the process, and a backup must be made prior to the update. For these reasons, it is best to plan an update when it will not cause disruptions to your schedule, such as outside business hours. We do ask that you contact MacPractice Support prior to conducting any update to ensure you meet the System and OS requirements.
Minor updates (if the second number increases, for example, from 12.11 to 12.21) are typically a quicker update, although this is dependent on several factors on your devices and cannot be easily predicted.
Preparing for an Update
If you need to access the download or help site at any time during the update, you will need your serial number. Your MacPractice serial number can be obtained from MacPractice Menu > About MacPractice. You can find the Download and Installation guide here.
You will need the Mac OS Administrator password and the MacPractice Database password to complete any update.
Choose a time to complete the update when you will not need the software for daily functions. For example, you may wish to update when your practice is not seeing patients.
The update may take several hours, depending on your internet connection, database size, and computer specifications. MacPractice Support is unable to provide an estimate due to these factors.
Once you start the update, you will not be able to access your MacPractice data until the server has been updated. Once the server computer has updated, you will be able to access your data on the server, but client computers will be unable to access the database until they have also completed the update.
MacPractice recommends updating while logged in to the computer as a Mac OS X administrative user. Updating while logged in as a standard Mac OS X user may prevent Attachments and Digital Radiography/Imaging files from migrating to the new version.
You'll want a solid internet connection to ensure a speedy download of the update.
How to Update MacPractice
You'll first need to update your Server computer. After the Server has been updated, your Client computer will be prompted to update the next time they log in. All copies of MacPractice must be running the same build of MacPractice in order to connect with each other. The computers can be running different builds of macOS as long as all are compatible with this build of MacPractice.
1. On the Server Computer, make a backup:
Before updating, make a backup of your MacPractice data and confirm all computers in your office have quit MacPractice. For more information on creating backups, please refer to this page of the Backups Guide on Creating Manual and Automatic Backups.
Make sure your backup is either not encrypted or you have verified the encryption password prior to starting this process.
2. Update the Server Computer:
You should be prompted to update when logging in to the server. However, you can manually check for updates by navigating to the MacPractice Menu and selecting “Update MacPractice”.
Alternately, you can download the "MP Server Update" package from your Download Site. You’ll want to use Safari when downloading, as Chrome has apparently had some issues with it.
If you are intending on making another computer your MacPractice Server, please follow the instructions for a server migration located here.
In the Update window, you will see Release Notes and a Change Log, along with a button to Download & Install. Click this button.
The installer should run automatically when this file finishes downloading. However, you will need to ensure MacPractice is closed after the update installer starts, in order for the installer to complete updating the software.
If the installer does NOT start immediately, there will be a Server Update or Server file that was downloaded into your Downloads folder or the Desktop. Check there and open the installation package that was just downloaded.
In this case, you'll still need to close the Server to complete updating the software.
The installer will require you to click through some prompts. Each of these are explained on screen, and if you've installed the software previously, you should be familiar with these prompts.
Once the installation completes, log in to MacPractice on the server. Enter the Security password to gain access to your database.
On Builds 12.11 and Higher, you'll need to set up the Server Management App before you'll be able to start the server.
You may be prompted at this point to update the database. You'll want to do this, as it's the final step in some updates. Warning: Do not force-quit during the database update as doing so could potentially damage your data.
Additional Steps on the Server
You should also check if there are any Reference Concept Database Updates. This will ensure that any codes you use are updated.
If you are running a build of 12.11 that includes the Server Management App prior to updating, once you've completed your update to a later build, you will need to log into the Server Management App and stop/start each process before clients can log in.
If you have updated to Builds 14.5.5 or 15.5.1 of MacPractice, and you have the EHR or EMR/EDR Abilities, you will need to update your form templates accordingly. Check this article for more details on CCDA changes.
3. Update your Client Computers:
Visit each client computer and log in to MacPractice. You will be informed that the Server has updated, and you'll be prompted to download the update from the server.
In the Update window, you will see Release Notes along with a button to Download & Install. Click this button and follow the subsequent instructions once the updater starts.
If the updater does not start once downloaded, double click on the XXXClient.pkg file in your Downloads or on the Desktop to launch the client installer, and follow the instructions in the installer.
You may now log in to each computer once the update finishes. You should not have to enter a Database Access code unless you've migrated the server.
iPad Apps
Check In, Clipboard, and iEHR also have to be updated to match the current build of MacPractice. You can read more about our iPad Apps in this linked article here.