How to Upgrade macOS on Your Mac

Apple releases a major new version of macOS every autumn and provides free upgrades for all supported Macs. Upgrading keeps your Mac secure, adds new features, and ensures compatibility with the latest apps. This guide takes you through the entire process — from checking whether your Mac is eligible to verifying everything is working after installation.

Step 1: Check If Your Mac Supports the Latest macOS

Not every Mac can run the most recent version of macOS. Apple typically supports Macs released within the last five to seven years. To find out what you're running and what chip your Mac has:

1. Click the Apple menu (top-left corner of the screen)
2. Select About This Mac
3. Note the macOS version and the chip (e.g., Apple M1, M2, M3, or Intel Core iX)

macOS Sequoia (15) — Supported Macs

macOS Sequoia, released in autumn 2024, requires the following as a minimum:

• MacBook Air: 2020 (M1) or later; Intel models require 2020
• MacBook Pro: 2018 or later (Intel); 2020 or later (M1/M2/M3)
• Mac mini: 2018 or later (Intel); M1 or later
• iMac: 2019 or later (Intel); M1 or later
• Mac Pro: 2019 or later
• Mac Studio: All models (M1 Ultra onwards)

If your Mac is older than the models listed above, it will not be able to run the latest macOS. You can continue using the current version of macOS that your Mac supports — Apple typically provides security patches for two previous major versions.

Step 2: Free Up Storage Space

A macOS upgrade requires approximately 12–20 GB of free storage on your startup disk, plus the download itself (typically 12–15 GB). Check your available storage by going to Apple menu > About This Mac > More Info and looking at storage under General.

If you're running low, open System Settings > General > Storage and use the built-in recommendations to delete large files, empty the Trash, and move infrequently used files to iCloud. You can also manually delete downloads, large unused applications, or duplicate files.

Step 3: Back Up with Time Machine

Never upgrade an OS without a complete backup. Time Machine is Apple's built-in backup system and works with any external drive formatted as APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

1. Connect an external hard drive or SSD (at least as large as your Mac's storage)
2. Open System Settings > General > Time Machine
3. Click Add Backup Disk and select your external drive
4. Time Machine will begin backing up automatically — the first backup can take 1–3 hours
5. Wait until the status bar shows "Backup completed"

Alternatively, use a third-party backup application or clone your drive with a tool such as Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper if you prefer a bootable clone. This gives you a faster recovery option if the upgrade goes wrong.

Step 4: Download and Install the macOS Upgrade

Apple delivers macOS upgrades through System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). The simplest method:

1. Open System Settings
2. Click General in the sidebar
3. Click Software Update
4. If a macOS upgrade is available, you'll see it listed with a version number and download size
5. Click Upgrade Now (or "Update Now" for minor updates)
6. Enter your administrator password when prompted
7. Wait for the download to complete — this can take 20–60 minutes on typical broadband
8. When the installer launches, click Continue and follow the on-screen steps
9. Accept the licence agreement and choose your startup disk when asked
10. Click Install — your Mac will restart and begin installation

What Happens During Installation

Your Mac will restart one or more times during the installation process. You'll see a progress bar on a dark screen — this is normal. On Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3 and later), installation typically takes 20–35 minutes. On Intel Macs it can take up to 60 minutes. Leave the Mac plugged in and do not close the lid or press the power button.

When installation is complete, you'll be prompted to sign in with your Apple ID. After that, a brief setup screen may ask about new features or privacy settings. Your desktop and all your files will appear exactly as before.

After the Upgrade: Check These Things

Once macOS has upgraded successfully, take a few minutes to verify everything is working correctly:

• Open your most-used applications and confirm they launch correctly
• Check System Settings > Privacy & Security — some permissions may need to be re-granted after a major upgrade
• Go to System Settings > General > Software Update and install any supplemental updates that appear
• If you use any professional audio, video, or creative software, check the developer's website for compatibility notes before opening large projects

Troubleshooting: What to Do If the Upgrade Fails

If the installation fails partway through, your Mac should automatically roll back to the previous macOS version. If it doesn't boot correctly after a failed upgrade, restart while holding Command + R (Intel) or pressing and holding the power button (Apple Silicon) to enter Recovery Mode. From there, you can reinstall the previous macOS from Time Machine or internet recovery.

Common reasons upgrades fail include insufficient storage space, an unstable internet connection during download, or a third-party kernel extension that conflicts with the new OS. Checking storage before you begin and ensuring a stable wired or strong Wi-Fi connection resolves the majority of issues.