How To Upgrade Macbook Software

• How To Use Apple Software Update For Windows - Apple Support
• How To Upgrade Macbook Software
• Keep Your Mac Up To Date - Apple Support

Apple usually releases a major update of macOS every year. They recommend to keep your Mac up to date. Why upgrading it is so important? The new update always comes with some improvements (especially in terms of security), and bug fixes. Sometimes, it also comes with the new interesting features. Here, we are going to show you how to update the software on a Mac.

See also: How to set up a new Mac for the first time

Peer-to-peer AirPlay requires a Mac (2012 or later) and an Apple TV (3rd generation rev A, model A1469 or later) with Apple TV software 7.0 or later. Requires an external storage device (sold separately). Supported by the following Mac models: MacBook (Early 2015 or newer) MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer). On your Mac, choose Apple menu System Preferences, then click Software Update. To automatically install macOS updates, select 'Automatically keep my Mac up to date.' To set advanced update.

How To Update The Software On A Mac

1. Check Your Mac Compatibility

Checking the compatibility of your Mac is one of the most important things to do before starting the updating process. If you updating Mac to incompatible macOS, you might experience some issues. For example, Mac doesn't finish the starting up process, the apps unexpectedly quit, etc.

Make sure that your Mac model is one of these:

• MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
• Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
• iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)

2. Back Up Data

Don't start the upgrading process without backing up your data first. This is the most essential part of 'how to update the Software on a Mac' guide. You can back up the data using Time Machine hard drive, third-party hard drive, or external drive.

3. Check Storage

Make sure you have at least 14.3GB of available storage and 2GB of memory on your Mac. If you are going to update macOS to High Sierra on MacBook series, don't forget to plug it into AC power.

4. Internet Connection

Some macOS update issues occur due to the Internet connection that is slow or unstable. To avoid these issues, make sure you have a dedicated Internet connection.

5. Download And Install macOS High Sierra

After you do all the steps listed above, you can perform the download and install process confidently and safely. These steps are the main part of 'how to update Software on a Mac' process. You can download macOS High Sierra through App Store. This is the easiest way.

• Launch App Store from home screen or using Spotlight. If you are on your browser screen, click the Apple logo on the upper-left corner of the screen and select App Store.
• Click Update on the top toolbar of App Store window, wait for a few seconds and you will see Software Update.

• Click the Update button to download macOS High Sierra.
• Once the downloading process is done, click Continue and follow the on-screen instructions.
• You might need to enter the admin username and password.

Congratulations! The upgrading process is done. Now you can enjoy macOS High Sierra on your Mac.

When you upgrade to macOS Catalina, you get more of everything you love about Mac. Experience dedicated apps for music, TV, and podcasts. Smart new features in the apps you use every day. And Sidecar, which lets you use iPad as a second Mac display. Best of all, upgrading is free and easy.

Chances are, your Mac can run macOS Catalina.

Mac computers with Metal-capable graphics processors (GPUs) can upgrade to macOS Catalina.

Make sure you're ready to upgrade.

Before you upgrade, we recommend that you back up your Mac. Then, if your Mac is running OS X Mavericks 10.9 or later, you can upgrade directly to macOS Catalina.

Upgrading is free. And easier than you think.

Upgrading from macOS Mojave?

Go to Software Update in System Preferences to find the macOS Catalina upgrade. Click Upgrade Now and follow the onscreen instructions to begin your upgrade.

Upgrading from an older version of macOS?

If you're running High Sierra (10.13), Sierra (10.12), or El Capitan (10.11), upgrade to macOS Catalina from the App Store. If you're running Lion (10.7) or Mountain Lion (10.8), you will need to upgrade to El Capitan (10.11) first.

• OS X 10.9 or later
• 4GB of memory
• 12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*

• Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
• Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.

For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Catalina:

• MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
• Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)

• iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)

Dictation and Voice Memos

Requires a microphone (built-in or external).

Spotlight Suggestions

Requires a broadband internet connection.

Gestures

Requires a Multi-Touch trackpad, Force Touch trackpad, Magic Trackpad, or Magic Mouse.

Force Touch gestures require a Force Touch trackpad.

Photo Booth

Requires a FaceTime or iSight camera (built-in or external), or USB video class (UVC) camera.

FaceTime

Audio calls require a microphone (built-in or external) and broadband internet connection.

Video calls require a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (built-in or external), or a USB video class (UVC) camera; and broadband internet connection.

Apple TV

High Dynamic Range (HDR) video playback is supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBook Pro (2018 or newer)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• Mac Pro (2019) with Pro Display XDR

Dolby Atmos soundtrack playback is supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBook Air (2018 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (2018 or newer)

Sidecar

Supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBook (2016 or newer)
• MacBook Air (2018 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (2016 or newer)
• Mac mini (2018 or newer)
• iMac (late 2015 or newer)
• iMac Pro (2017 or newer)
• Mac Pro (2019)

Supported by all iPad models with Apple Pencil support:

• 12.9-inch iPad Pro
• 11-inch iPad Pro
• 10.5-inch iPad Pro
• 9.7-inch iPad Pro
• iPad (6th generation or later)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)

Continuity Camera

Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 12 or later.

Continuity Sketch and Continuity Markup

Requires an iPhone with iOS 13 or an iPad with iPadOS.

Handoff

Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 8 or later.

Instant Hotspot

Requires an iPhone or iPad with cellular connectivity, a Lightning connector, and iOS 8.1 or later. Requires Personal Hotspot service through your carrier.

Universal Clipboard

Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 10 or later.

Phone Calling

Requires an iPhone with iOS 8 or later and an activated carrier plan.

SMS

Requires an iPhone with iOS 8.1 or later and an activated carrier plan.

Home

Requires an iPhone with iOS 12 or later and a configured Home app.

AirDrop

AirDrop to iOS and iPadOS devices requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 7 or later.

AirPlay

AirPlay Mirroring requires an Apple TV (2nd generation or later).

AirPlay for web video requires an Apple TV (2nd generation or later).

Peer-to-peer AirPlay requires a Mac (2012 or later) and an Apple TV (3rd generation rev A, model A1469 or later) with Apple TV software 7.0 or later.

Time Machine

Requires an external storage device (sold separately).

Power Nap

Supported by the following Mac models:

• MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
• MacBook Pro with Retina display (Mid 2012 or newer)
• Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)

Boot Camp

Allows Boot Camp installations of Windows 10 on supported Mac models.

How To Use Apple Software Update For Windows - Apple Support

Exchange Support

Requires Microsoft Office 365, Exchange 2016, Exchange 2013, or Exchange Server 2010. Installing the latest Service Packs is recommended.

Windows Migration

Supports OS X 10.7 or later and Windows 7 or later.

How To Upgrade Macbook Software

App Store

Available only to persons age 13 or older in the U.S. and many other countries and regions.

• Apple Books
• App Store
• Automator
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Chess
• Contacts
• Dashboard
• Dictionary
• DVD Player
• FaceTime
• Find My
• Font Book
• Home
• Image Capture
• Launchpad
• Mail
• Maps

• Messages
• Mission Control
• Music
• Notes
• Photo Booth
• Photos
• Podcasts
• Preview
• QuickTime Player
• Reminders
• Safari
• Stickies
• Stocks
• System Preferences
• TextEdit
• Time Machine
• TV
• Voice Memos

• Activity Monitor
• AirPort Utility
• Audio MIDI Setup
• Bluetooth File Exchange
• Boot Camp Assistant
• ColorSync Utility
• Console
• Digital Color Meter
• Disk Utility

Keep Your Mac Up To Date - Apple Support

• Grapher
• Keychain Access
• Migration Assistant
• Screenshot
• Screen Time
• Script Editor
• Sidecar
• System Information
• Terminal
• VoiceOver Utility

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