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How to upgrade a Mac Operating System (macOS)

This article explains how to upgrade the Operating System on your Apple computer.

How to upgrade from macOS Ventura or later versions

1. Select the Apple icon on the top-left corner of the desktop 

Apple menu icon

2. Select System settings... from the drop-down menu ("System preferences..." on Monterey OS)

3. Select General from the left sidebar

4. Select Software Update from the list of options

5. If there's any upgrade available, select the Upgrade Now button. Major updates can take a while to complete. You will be asked to enter your administrator password, which is the password you use to log in to your Mac.

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If your Mac is up to date, then there will be no new software available for your device. 

Please note: during installation, your Mac might show a progress bar or blank screen several times.

6. If there are more updates available, you will find them in the section Updates available. Clicking on the More Info link, you will see all the updates available to your existing operating system. 

You can select whether you want to install all the updates available or only a part of them checking or unchecking the boxes. Select Update Now to launch the process.

Please be aware:

  • While installing the Operating System, you will be unable to use your computer during the whole process
  • Please ensure that you have a backup of all vital data before patching via either option

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How to upgrade from macOS Monterey

1. Select the Apple icon on the top-left corner of the desktop 

2. Select System settings... from the drop-down menu ("System preferences..." on Monterey OS)

3. Select General from the left sidebar

4. Select Software Update  

4. You can upgrade to the latest version of the operating system (the image here below shows the Monterey version) by selecting Upgrade Now. This is a major update and can take several hours to complete. 

5. If there are more updates available, you will find the section Other updates are available. Select the More Info link to see all the updates available to your existing operating system. 

You can select whether you want to install all the updates available or only a part of them. Select the button Install Now to launch the process.

Please keep in mind that the process will take up to an hour to complete.

Please be aware:

  • While installing the Operating System you will be unable to use your computer during the whole process
  • Please ensure that you have a backup of all vital data before patching via either option

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What to do if you do not see Software Update

If you do not see an item named Software Update in System Settings or System Preferences, please:

  1. Select the Spotlight icon in the corner of your screen
  2. Type Software Update in the search field.
  3. If Software Update is found, you can open it from the search results.

If your older Mac does not include Software Update, use the App Store (from the Applications folder). Select the Updates tab in the App Store to check for updates, or search for the software by name.

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Related content

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Attached files:

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