If your older Mac doesn't include Software Update, open the App Store app instead. It's in your Applications folder. Then click the Updates tab in the App Store to check for updates. You can also search for software by name.
An update is a newer version of the currently installed macOS, such as an update from macOS Monterey 12.5 to macOS Monterey 12.6. An upgrade is a major new version of macOS with new name, such as an upgrade from macOS Monterey to macOS Ventura. If an update or upgrade isn't compatible with your Mac, it won't appear in Software Update.
Hwo To Update Software On Mac
If you receive a notification that software updates are available, you can choose when to install the updates, or choose to be reminded the next day. You can also check for macOS updates manually in the Software Update pane of General settings.
The System Preferences will appear and search for new macOS updates. If it finds any, click Update Now to download and install that update. If the update is already downloaded, click Restart Now to install it instead
There are several reasons you might be unable to update your Mac. However, the most common reason is a lack of storage space. Your Mac needs to have enough free space to download the new update files before it can install them.
Keep in mind you have a bit of control here, too. You can choose to have your Mac check for updates automatically, but not download them. This is a smart choice for those who want a bit more control over when their Mac updates, and we prefer this option as it allows you to create a backup with Get Backup Pro to secure your files before running the update.
One thing to remember when you update your Mac is that the next step should be updating your apps for them to work properly on a new system. You will find some pending software updates in the App Store (if you install your apps from App Store) but not all. The most effective solution is to bulk update all apps with CleanMyMac X.
When you think "how do I update my Mac operating system?," you should also be thinking about how to prepare your Mac for the update. Remember that if you need to boot your Mac from a backup, it will load exactly what you have on your Mac at the time of the update. Now is a great time to delete apps, re-organize your files, and make sure your settings are optimized.
This means you are better off checking your WiFi with tools like WiFi Explorer and do your best to help everything work nicely for your large update to fully download without a hitch. This WiFi analyzer and monitor can help you check your connection parameters.
Drivers are what allow your Mac to communicate with peripherals like graphics cards, speakers, or printers. You can't directly update drivers on a Mac; your best bet is to update your operating system, which has all the necessary drivers.
If your Mac simply won't update, it's likely a hardware issue. As we noted, you'll need quite a bit of storage to update your Mac. If you don't have the space for a new OS, you will be unable to run the latest version of macOS.
It's also possible the update was interrupted; this is why we advise you have a strong internet connection before updating your Mac. These are core issues with a Mac which won't update. If you're experiencing issues, get hold of Apple for support.
You may be concerned that you have some software that you need to use that may not work in the new operating system. Luckily there are a few ways you can try out Ventura without removing an older version of macOS from your Mac, find out How to run macOS on an external hard drive or How to dual-boot two Mac Operating Systems on your Mac.
If you want to update your Mac to Ventura from an older version of macOS the methods will differ because the update will be delivered via the App Store rather than Software Update. We will explain what you need to do in that case below.
If you are running any of the above versions of macOS you will be able to install macOS Ventura via System Preferences > Software update following the process outlined above, as long as your Mac supports the update.
If you are hoping to install an even older version of the Mac operating system we explain how to do this here: How to get older versions of macOS or OS X. The section below will explain how to update via the Mac App Store.
Wondering if you should update to Monterey? Check our macOS Monterey vs Big Sur comparison to find out how it compares to the previous version. Also read: macOS Monterey latest version, problems, features and fixes.
Wondering if you should update at all? Check our macOS Big Sur review for detailed advice, and read our comparison of macOS Big Sur vs Catalina to find out how it compares to the previous version. Also read macOS Big Sur latest version, problems, features and fixes.
In October 2022, Apple released macOS Ventura, the latest version of its famous operating system. And if you're currently working on a Mac, now is a good time to update your computer, since Ventura received an update in January 2023 containing a host of new security fixes.
Important: Before you update your Mac, it's a good idea to back up your computer with Time Machine or iCloud to ensure no data is lost in the process. You'll also need to be connected to the internet.
Also keep in mind that depending on how big the updates are, how responsive your computer is, and how fast your internet is, the updates could take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to download and install.
You can also choose to enable automatic updates from this screen by checking the Automatically keep my Mac up to date box. This will ensure that whenever a new update is available, you'll be told without having to open this screen.
Software updates move fast, and so you may already be behind on your macOS updates, even if you're using Ventura. If that's the case, you can follow these steps to update to the newest possible version.
1. Click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen from any app or page. If you see a notification for any updates next to System Settings, it's a good sign that the latest version of the OS is now available.
4. Click on the General tab in the menu on the left, and then on Software Update. From here, you'll see if automatic OS updates are enabled, as well as if any are currently available.
If you want to learn about the details of each update before installing, click the arrow next to the Update button and review the apps, versions and installation date. Then click Update All or Update next to individual apps.
To update your Mac, click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen. Then go to System Preferences > Software Update. Wait for your computer to find the update and click Update Now. Once the update is finished downloading, click Download and Restart.
To check how much RAM you have on your Mac, click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and select About This Mac. You will see your RAM capacity next to Memory in the Overview tab. You will need at least 4 GB of RAM to download the Big Sur update.
To download the Big Sur update, you need to have at least 35.5 GB of available storage space. If you are upgrading from macOS Sierra or earlier, you will need at least 44.5GB of available storage space.
The macOS and applications installed on your Mac need to be regularly updated. This protects your Mac from malware and helps the system processes work smoothly. Additionally, new updates usually come with new features, fixed bugs, and optimization for the latest system changes.
To make applications work smoothly on a new macOS, developers update their applications and optimize them. You should also update your applications. How to update your application will depend on whether you downloaded them from the App Store or the Internet.
When you launch an application downloaded not from the App Store, you can see a notification that a new version is available. Usually, all you need to do to update such apps is to click the Update button. The application will download the update and ask you to relaunch the app to install its fresh version.
Keeping your software up to date is a crucial practice in Internet safety. Most software updates automatically by default, but you should know how to check the updates and begin the process yourself. Knowing how to keep your software updated can improve your computer's stability and security and let you know about new features, helping you be an informed and empowered user.
To update Windows, first open the Control Panel. If you don't know where the Control Panel is, check out this lesson in Windows Basics. In the search bar in the Control Panel, type update. Under Windows Update, click Check for updates.
It may take a while to install all the updates. It's safe to leave the computer and do something else while it finishes. Once it's done, Windows will probably prompt you to restart the computer. If you need to do anything else after this, Windows will prompt you; otherwise, you're up to date!
To update macOS, open the App Store, then click Updates at the top. macOS updates will be at the top of the list of available updates. On the right side of the screen, there are buttons to update individual apps or to apply all available updates.
For many apps, regular updates provide new features and stability rather than security patches, so it isn't necessary to update them as frequently. However, for more essential software like web browsers and antivirus software, security updates are just as critical as operating system updates.
Many apps in both macOS and Windows will automatically check for updates when you open them. If you installed them through the App Store or another distribution platform, the program will alert you about updates. For standalone programs, take time to explore the program's menus and learn how to run the update process. 2ff7e9595c
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