Keeping your Mac up to date is an important part of using MacOS. Not only does it mean you get all the latest features when Apple releases them but you also receive vital security fixes that will help keep your computer safe from harm.
Fortunately, updating MacOS is a piece of cake, and Apple has made the process very smooth from start to finish. Here, we’ll take you through how it’s done and show you a few important extras and considerations that can improve your experience.
Prepare for the update
While updating your Mac is a straightforward process the majority of the time, there’s a chance that something could go wrong. For that reason, it’s always a good idea to back up your Mac before getting started. This can be done in a number of ways, and we’ve got more detail in our guide linked above. You can back up your Mac using Time Machine, iCloud, or a third-party service, among other options.
You should also ensure that your Mac has enough storage space for the new version of macOS. When you go to update your Mac using the steps below, macOS will tell you if you don’t have sufficient storage. If that happens, you can use our guide to free up space on your Mac.
Once that’s finished, you’ll need to close any open apps and documents on your Mac and save your work, as the Mac update process will reboot your computer at least once. Once that’s sorted, you’re ready to get started.
Check for updates
Apple uses the System Settings app to deliver macOS updates, and it’s the main place you should go when you want to download and install macOS updates, patches, and new versions.
Step 1: First, open the System Settings app and go to General > Software Update in the sidebar.
Step 2: Your Mac will automatically start looking for updates. If there are any to download, you’ll see their details (such as the update’s version number) on the page, alongside an option to install the update.
Step 3: If there are no new updates, System Settings will tell you that your Mac is up to date.
Step 4: Note that the updates your Mac gets will depend on whether you have signed up for any macOS betas. If you have, you can select the i button next to the Beta Updates text, then either select a different beta (such as the macOS public or developer beta), or pick Off to just stick to the standard macOS updates.
Install the updates
After macOS has downloaded an update, you’re ready to install it. Just follow the quick steps below to install the latest version to your computer.
Step 1: Select the Update Now button, then enter your Mac password to get started. Your Mac will begin downloading the update.
Step 2: Once the download has finished, your Mac will restart and install the update. This can take a while — 30 minutes to an hour is not uncommon — so you’ll need to just leave it to it.
Step 3: Your Mac will restart and show your login screen once the update has completed. You will then be able to log in and use your updated Mac.
Use the App Store
If for some reason you can’t (or don’t want to) use System Settings to update your Mac, you can download and install new versions of macOS from the App Store.
Step 1: Apple has links to App Store versions of its recent macOS releases on its website. Use the links under the Use the App Store headline to find the latest version, which is at the top of the list. The link should open the App Store app on your Mac.
Step 2: Alternatively, manually open the App Store app and search for the macOS version name you need (such as macOS Sequoia).
Step 3: In the App Store, select the Get button near the top of the page.
Step 4: Your Mac will now start downloading and installing the new version of macOS. Be patient and let it complete — it could take a while and will restart your Mac a few times.
Step 5: When the process has finished, you’ll see your Mac login screen. Enter your password to resume using your newly updated Mac.
Configure your Mac for automatic updates
It’s a good idea to let your Mac automatically download macOS updates in order to keep everything secure and up to date.
Step 1: Open the System Settings app and go to General > Software Update in the sidebar.
Step 2: Select the i button next to the Automatic Updates text.
Step 3: There are several options here. Enabling the toggles next to Download new updates when available and Install macOS updates means your Mac will automatically download and install system updates as soon as they become available. You can also enable toggles for automatically installing App Store updates and for doing the same for Security Responses and system files.
Step 4: Once you’ve made your choices, select Done to apply them.
Apple has made installing macOS updates simple, and all it takes is a few clicks and a little bit of patience. That means it’s very easy to keep your Mac secure and up to speed with the latest new features.
Ensuring your Mac apps are kept up to date will also keep things running well.
