How to Update a Mac

Use the Apple menu to open System Settings > General to find the option to update your Mac

By
Nick Steinberg
Nick Steinberg
Nick Steinberg
Writer
  • Wilfrid Laurier University
Nick Steinberg has been writing about technology since 2014. His work has appeared in Goliath, Screen Rant, TechRadar, and many more publications.
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Updated on May 8, 2024
Reviewed by
Jerrick Leger
Jerrick Leger headshot
Reviewed by Jerrick Leger
    Jerrick Leger is a CompTIA-certified IT Specialist with more than 10 years' experience in technical support and IT fields. He is also a systems administrator for an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses.
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    What to Know

    • Update macOS Ventura (13) or later: System Settings > General > Software Update.
    • Update macOS Mojave (10.14) or later: System Preferences > Software Update.
    • Update macOS High Sierra (10.13) or earlier through the App Store.

    This article explains how to get the latest updates for your Mac operating system.

    Before updating, it’s a good idea to create a backup to ensure you don’t lose any data—especially if you’re installing a new major version. You can easily do this using Apple’s free Time Machine backup tool and an external hard drive.

    How to Update a Mac Running macOS Ventura and Later

    Follow these steps if you currently have macOS Ventura or a newer version:

    Not sure which version of macOS you're running? Open the Apple menu in the top left-hand corner of the screen, then click About This Mac. A window will open showing your Mac’s operating system information and other vital specs.

    1. Select System Settings from the Apple menu.

      The Apple menu on macOS Sonoma

    2. Go to General > Software Update.

      General settings in macOS Sonoma

    3. Your computer will look for the latest version and prompt you to install the update if one is available.

      The Software Update screen in macOS Sonoma

      On this screen, you can select the (i) button to turn on automatic updates for macOS and App Store apps.

    How to Update a Mac Running macOS Mojave Through macOS Monterey

    Follow these steps to update macOS Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, or Monterey:

    Some users of older Macs have reported issues after upgrading to macOS Monterey and say it can create serious problems for iMac, Mac mini, and MacBook Pro. Check with Apple to be certain your device can upgrade to macOS Monterey before attempting the update.

    1. Click System Preferences from the Apple menu.

      Opening System Preferences on Mac desktop.

    2. Click Software Update.

      Opening Software Update on Mac.

    3. Click Update Now. If you haven’t upgraded to macOS Big Sur yet, click Upgrade Now instead.

      Confirming Software Update on Mac.

      If you’d like updates to be installed automatically, check off the box next to Automatically keep my Mac up to date.

    How to Update a Mac Running macOS High Sierra and Earlier

    Older Macs can’t download updates using the above methods. Here’s how to update your Mac if it’s running High Sierra (10.13), Sierra (10.12), or an earlier OS.

    1. Open App Store from the Apple menu.

      Selecting Apple App Store from Mac Desktop.

    2. Click Updates in the left sidebar.

      Checking Apple App Store updates on Mac.

    3. If a macOS update is available, click Update. You’ll also be able to download updates for Mac apps on this screen.

    How to Upgrade to a New Version of macOS

    Apple typically puts out new versions of macOS once a year. The latest version, macOS Sonoma, is compatible with these computers. Beginning with Mavericks (10.9) in 2013, every new version of macOS has been made available for free for all Mac owners. 

    Apple regularly releases updates for its Mac operating system, macOS. While it can be tempting to delay or put off installing these updates altogether, keeping your Mac up-to-date is essential. Apple’s software updates frequently fix security vulnerabilities, general bugs and sometimes even add new features.


    Here’s how to upgrade your Mac to the latest version of macOS it will support:

    1. Launch the App Store.

    2. Search for macOS.

      Searching for macOS updates on App Store.

    3. Find the version of macOS you’d like to download and click VIEW.

      Locating macOS Big Sur in App Store.

    4. Click GET to begin downloading. You may need to enter your Apple ID password or use Touch ID to confirm.

      Downloading MacOS Big Sur from App Store.

    5. Once the download is complete, installation should begin automatically. This can take up to a few hours to complete.

    FAQ
    • How do you update software on a Mac?

      You can keep your software updated on a Mac using the App Store. Open the Apple menu to see if you have any updates available, then select App Store if you do. Once the App Store opens, select Updates.

    • How do you uninstall programs on a Mac?

      Select the Finder icon in the Dock, then choose Applications. Next, drag the software you want to remove to the Trash icon. Or, if it's in a folder, check if it has an uninstaller and then run the installer.

    • How do you free up space on a Mac?

      Transfer documents, photos, and other files to iCloud to free up storage space. You can also go into the Storage Management tool and select Optimize Storage, which automatically removes Apple TV films and shows you've watched and older email attachments. Lastly, set your Recycle Bin to automatically delete its contents after 30 days to keep those unwanted files from piling up.

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